Marine, Laure, Maelle, Maeva and Iliana are the founders of the eco-responsible period swimwear brand [ MENINA ]
Year founded: 2023
Location of design and office: France 🇫🇷
Location of raw material sourcing: Marseille, France 🇫🇷
Location of manufacturing and production: Porto, Portugal 🇵🇹
Meet the Founders
Marine Montarant, 22, from Cannes, studied at a business school: a 3-year Bachelor's in entrepreneurship, followed by a Master 1 in international business and logistics. She gained sales experience at Papernest in Barcelona, where she learned persuasion and negotiation. She completed a work-study program in marketing and communications for The Green Protein Company, contributing to its growth through her ideas and market analysis. Passionate about entrepreneurship, she loves creating, innovating, and making a positive impact on her environment through her creativity.
Laure Le Guern holds a Bachelor's in management from Kedge Business School in Marseille and is currently pursuing her Master's through a work-study program at the same institution. Her experience at PepsiCo as a Territory Manager gave her solid sales skills, which are crucial to Menina's commercial strategy. She also plays a key role in Menina's e-commerce management, honing her skills at Coudac as a Media Buyer specializing in paid advertising, a major asset for Menina's online growth.
Maeva Lescole, who holds a Bachelor's in entrepreneurship and a Master's in Marketing & Business, gained skills in marketing project management during her time at Clora Lighting. For the past three years, she has been a marketing and communications project manager at Compagnie des Pâtissiers, where she actively contributes to the company's social responsibility. Her valuable expertise in these areas strengthens the Menina team.
Maelle, an experienced finance professional, holds a 3-year degree in banking and finance, complemented by a year of work-study experience as an assistant to the CFO and an MBA specializing in corporate finance. Currently pursuing a Master 2 in Management and Finance, she combines her knowledge to optimize resources and develop solid financial strategies at Menina. She is committed to ensuring transparent and efficient financial management aligned with the company's strategic objectives, thus contributing to its success with passion and dedication.
After a 7-month gap year in Ireland, where she improved her English, Iliana returned to Kedge Business School for a Master's in International Business and Logistics. Passionate about international trade, particularly in the wine industry, she wants to become an entrepreneur and create a business that meets women's needs, with an eco-responsible approach to logistics and purchasing. Her experience as an international buyer at Oxysign gives her negotiation and organizational skills, which are essential for managing shipments, returns, transport contracts, and after-sales service.
About the Brand
Menina is a period swimwear brand created in early 2023 in Marseille by five Kedge Business School students and entrepreneurs passionate about sports and entrepreneurship. Menina is an eco-responsible period swimwear brand, specially styled and designed for women who participate in water sports such as surfing and swimming. They design high-quality products that combine performance, comfort, and durability. Their commitment to the environment guides each of their actions, from design to manufacturing. Menina was born from the realization of the difficulties faced by female athletes, particularly those who participate in water sports such as swimming, surfing, and sailing during their periods. As people speak out more freely, many share the difficulties they face in protecting themselves. Although natural, menstruation can sometimes be difficult to deal with, and women still struggle today to find real solutions to make it less restrictive. Period swimwear is a swimsuit with period protection built directly into the bottoms to contain flow. Period swimwear is inspired by the design of period underwear, a protection used by an increasing number of women in France and around the world. Created with an environmental and social mission, Menina offers swimsuits made with ECONYL®, a recycled nylon. Their commitment to the environment is reflected in clothing created without new fabrics, with a factory in Portugal and a partnership with a Marseille-based startup for recycled packaging. They celebrate women's determination in water sports, highlighting women's sports, which are often underrepresented. Active in promoting female athletes, they participate in events such as the MonteCristo Challenge. At Menina, raising awareness about healthy period products is paramount. They break taboos, encouraging open communication about this sensitive topic and aiming to inform women so they can make informed choices for their health and well-being. Their mission: to meet the needs of female athletes by providing comfort and freedom of movement during their periods. Their vision: to be the go-to brand for period protection for all women and ambassadors for female water sports athletes.
Eco-Responsible Impact
They are proud to be among those who believe in a more sustainable future, both for our planet and for themselves. They seek to inspire change by offering alternatives to current practices that have a negative impact on our environment. It is now possible to choose a more responsible path, and each of us can contribute in our own way. Created with an environmental and social mission, Menina offers swimsuits made with ECONYL®, a recycled nylon. Their commitment to the environment is reflected in clothing created without new fabrics, with a factory in Portugal and a partnership with a Marseille-based startup for recycled packaging. They celebrate women's determination in water sports, highlighting women's sports, which are often underrepresented. Active in promoting female athletes, they participate in events such as the MonteCristo Challenge. At Menina, raising awareness about healthy period products is paramount. They break taboos, encouraging open communication about this sensitive topic and aiming to inform women so they can make informed choices for their health and well-being. ECONYL® is the primary material used in MENINA swimsuits. It is a 100% regenerated nylon fiber made from pre- and post-consumer waste that pollutes the Earth, such as discarded fishing nets, carpets, and industrial plastics. They want to prove that it is entirely possible to create a new collection or a new swimwear brand without creating new materials, but rather by prioritizing fabric recycling.
The Big Plus Points
Their swimsuits are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, guaranteeing safety and the absence of harmful substances at every stage of manufacturing, from raw materials to finished products.
Brand Values
♻️ Recycling ↓
Menina is fully committed to a circular approach, using exclusively ECONYL®, a recycled nylon, to make its period swimsuits. By collecting waste such as discarded fishing nets and industrial plastics, they help reduce marine pollution while offering high-quality, durable products.
🇪🇺 Made in Europe ↓
They are proud to produce period swimsuits in Europe, particularly in Portugal, where the factory adheres to high standards for working conditions and sustainability. This geographical proximity helps reduce the carbon footprint by minimizing transport distances and supporting the local economy.
🚺 Women Empowerment (Women Only) ↓
Menina celebrates the strength and determination of women, particularly those who participate in water sports that are often underrepresented. By highlighting these female athletes and offering solutions tailored to their specific needs, they help promote gender equality in sports and beyond.
👐🏽 Social and Solidarity Impact ↓
Their commitment to the environment goes hand in hand with their social mission. By raising awareness about healthy period products and breaking the taboos surrounding menstruation, they encourage open communication and help improve women's health and well-being.
✅ Certified ↓
Their swimsuits are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, guaranteeing safety and the absence of harmful substances at every stage of manufacturing, from raw materials to finished products. This rigorous certification ensures that the products meet the strictest health and safety standards, with laboratory testing covering approximately 100 control parameters.
[ Menina is an eco-responsible period swimwear brand, specially styled and designed for women who participate in water sports such as surfing and swimming. ]
