Sisters Trisha and Keri Geftos turn heads with their sexy swimwear line, GeftaKi

The demand to be noticed has not gone unnoticed as the Metro Detroit- based company, Geftaki, splashes the fashion industry with jewelry-inspired swimsuits. Move over Miami! Michigan native Trisha Geftos and her sister, Keri, have partnered up to ensure their beachwear is as special as the name it bears.

Geftaki, which is the original Greek pronunciation of their last name, was formed with family in mind. While Geftos is the designer and Keri focuses on marketing, their mother handles the legal work, and their father offers insight from his experience in the industry. “They’re so supportive of me,” Geftos says. “My dad owns a jewelry store and has been in the jewelry business since I was little. I’ve always worked there and helped out. I’ve always loved fashion and jewelry, so I combined the two for a jewelry-inspired line of swimsuits.” After graduating from the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a degree in business, Geftos moved to Los Angeles to pursue a modeling and acting career. “I decided I didn’t like [modeling], and since I love fashion, I decided to try this route,” Geftos says. “[Also] I was able to learn about manufacturing while working in the fashion district for another company.”

Geftos lives part-time in the Detroit area and part-time in Los Angeles. While in L.A., she oversees the entire process of the American-made brand. “From the time it is designed until it is produced, I baby sit the collection to ensure quality control. I’m the fit model. They are all made to fit me first so I know what’s good and, if it’s not good, what needs to be changed,” she says.

With a flattering fit in mind, Geftos and her sister are excited about the 2009 collection. The collection incorporates signature Geftaki details, such as metal hardware, and introduces new additions, such as custom-dyed rings and trim. The signature suit for this season, the Glitter Jungle Monokini, is fully adorned with zebra sequins and hammered- metal O-rings. “I really like the flash and embellishment while still being elegant,” Geftos says.

While Geftaki is available at boutiques and department stores nationwide, the company recently expanded internationally to Canada and Japan. And the brand has garnered some high-profile celebrity endorsements. Just ask Paris Hilton, who loved her first Geftaki swimsuit so much she recently purchased another.

While celebrity publicity is an honor, true success is doing what you love. With a nod to family heritage, Keri explains a phrase their grandfather taught the sisters at a young age. “‘If you enjoy what you’re do- ing, you’ll never work a day in your life.’ And that’s exactly how it feels! It doesn’t seem like it’s a job to her,” Keri says. “She is designing, sketching, sending emails, networking, doing marketing promotions – and she loves it."
– Kelly McKay

The above article was first published in Ambassador Magazine, and we are re-publishing it because it features the Geftaki Swimwear brand. Please visit Well Suited Swimwear for more information.