What started as a shared dream between childhood friends Cierra Porter and Aubrey Maggard began with sketches and early designs in their homes in Denver and Kansas City. Today, it’s grown into a thoughtful lifestyle brand built on faith, sustainability, and connection.
The name Amini means “believe” in Swahili, and for Cierra, that meaning runs deeper than branding. It reflects her faith, her trip to Kenya, and a shared connection with Aubrey, whose family had also supported boys from Uganda who spoke Swahili. Once the two friends landed on the name, everything clicked. “It felt perfect,” Cierra says.
Today, Amini is about more than swimwear. The brand works with a manufacturer in Bali that provides fair pay, benefits, and paid time off, a decision Cierra says is worth the higher cost because people matter at every step of the supply chain. She also donates 10% of profits to causes ranging from child rescue efforts to holiday food initiatives and missions work in Kenya.
After spending a few years away following college, Cierra returned to Columbia in 2023 and quickly reconnected with a community that deeply supports women-owned businesses. Her yearly COMO pop-up has become a favorite part of the brand experience, with local women showing up year after year.
“The community here is so beautiful,” she says. “There are always new faces, but some women return every year, and that means the world to me.”
For Cierra, building a brand from Columbia feels like an extension of home, one where faith, friendship, and thoughtful design still matter.
Behind Amini’s soft colors and timeless silhouettes is a mission Cierra says has stayed steady since day one: creating pieces that last while reminding women of their worth.
That purpose is deeply rooted in her faith. Inspired by Psalm 139:9-10, she wants the brand to point women toward something bigger than appearance. The ocean has always been where she feels closest to God, and that sense of awe shapes the way she designs and markets Amini. “I’ve always tried to keep the focus on the beach experience, not bodies,” she says.
The brand launched in 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, and the beginning was anything but easy. Cierra and Aubrey had vision, but little experience and no marketing budget. They relied on Instagram, creativity, and persistence to build a community from the ground up.
Now, Amini is entering a new chapter with the launch of Amini Men and beachwear pieces, while staying rooted in the same values that inspired the first suit. For Cierra, the hope is simple: that every woman who wears Amini feels seen, confident, and free to enjoy the beauty around her, whether that’s at the ocean or right here in Missouri.
Mission-Driven Style: The Amini Way
Ethical Production in Bali: Every swimsuit is made by artisans working in fair conditions with living wages, benefits, and paid time off. “It’s more expensive, but worth every penny,” Cierra says.
Sustainable by Design: Amini focuses on quality over quantity, using durable fabrics and timeless silhouettes designed to last.
Giving Back Always: Since day one, the brand has donated 10% of profits to causes ranging from hunger relief to child rescue missions. “Generosity keeps your heart in the right place,” Cierra says.
Timeless, Not Trendy: Instead of chasing fast-fashion trends, Amini leans into clean lines, classic colors, and pieces that feel wearable beyond one season.
Beyond Swimwear: The brand is expanding into Amini Men and beachwear, including coordinated swim trunks and relaxed, resort-inspired pieces launching this summer.
As Seen In: Amini has been featured in Cosmopolitan and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, highlighting its growing national presence.
Shop & Connect:
aminiswim.com
info@aminiswim.com
Instagram: @aminiswim
Use code COMOXAMINI for 25% off sitewide.
“I want every woman to feel seen, confident, and free in what she wears.”- Cierra Porter