Our Story
The SWISH Story
Swish was founded by Lynn Ujvary in 2009 after a fateful trip to NYC. She was drawn back into the glamour, creativity and fun that comes with a life in fashion. With strong roots in the trade, she saw an opportunity to design clothing for women “that highlight everything we love about ourselves, and focus on building confidence.” There was a distinct need not only on the Sunshine Coast, but also within the industry. Lynn took charge, reminding women that you make the rules when it comes to your body.
Since opening its doors in 2010, Swish has taken pride in bringing NY style to the West Coast, evolving from a small co-op space, to the wonderful shopping place-to-be that exists today. Combining the best of NY style, hand-sourced lines and in house designs. All Swish Apparel fashions are manufactured here in Vancouver, Canada.
Community is ingrained in the SWISH culture and brand. The sense of community is strong in the small seaside town of Gibsons, BC, They support their neighbours and community at events, are involved in multiple yearly fundraisers and once sponsored a community pancake breakfast fundraiser so the breakfast was free for everyone.
SWISH Fashion
The boutique carries Canadian-made fashion and accessories, but its signature SWISH fashion line is most prevalent on the racks. This clothing line features items handmade in Vancouver using sustainable, slow fashion practices to make it as eco-friendly as possible.
Everything in the Gibsons shop and sold through our online store are designed to celebrate who you are in a comfortable, breathable, and fashionable way. No matter your size or age, you are welcome here and we’ll find clothing and accessories to make you feel confident, empowered, and beautiful.
About the Owner
Throughout the 2000s, Jeff Amiel and his wife Kim would visit the Sunshine Coast regularly for vacations. It wasn’t until 2012 that they discovered SWISH Boutique and from the second Kim walked through the door, she felt at home and fell in love with the store!
Every time they would return to the Coast, Kim would stop in the store to shop and visit Lynn. They developed a close friendship through the years and even started informal discussions about opening a satellite store for SWISH on Granville Island for when Kim retired.
Unfortunately, before they could finalize any plans, Kim passed away just a couple of months after retiring.
A few months after Kim had passed, in 2018, Jeff got a call from his son about a roadrunner for sale. When Kim retired, Jeff said that she wanted to buy a roadrunner, like they had when they were teenagers, so Jeff decided to check it out. Sure enough, it was exactly the same as the one 18 year old Kim is leaning up against in one of their old photos. That same week, Jeff’s cousin called saying that Swish was for sale.
After Kim had passed, Jeff hadn’t kept in touch with Lynn so he gave her a phone call to inquire about the store being for sale. Lynn explained that she was trying to open a Swish location in Castlegar and couldn’t be everywhere, so sadly had to sell her ‘baby’. Jeff thought about it for a moment and then asked: “Why don’t I buy the store?” It was a crazy thought for Jeff at the time, but he knew that Kim was trying to tell him something. So, in one week, Jeff was the proud owner of a show car and a clothing store.
Jeff’s wish for Swish is for it to not change and be kept exactly how Kim loved it and to support the folks in continuing to teach customers how to Swishify themselves.
