
đ¸Why I Started This Journey
When people step into Positano, they see beautiful swimwear and resort wear, but what they might not see straight away is the story behind it - my story.
Positano isnât just a brand I created; itâs an extension of me. Every piece on the rails carries a thread of my journey: the struggles, the reinventions, the heartbreaks, the moments of joy. I believe that when women know the heart behind the brand, they connect to it more deeply. So today, I want to share a little of mine with you.
đ Life Hasnât Always Been Straightforward
Some of the most defining moments of my life were also the hardest.
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When my son was just nine months old, his dad and I separated. Divorce is never easy, but with a baby in my arms, I had no choice but to dig deep and find strength I didnât know I had.
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I lost my mom far too young, when she was just 56, and my dad later to cancer. Grief shaped me, sharpened my appreciation for life, and taught me how precious every moment is.
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I walked away from a corporate career when a toxic boss left me no option. At the time, it felt like failure, but now I see it as a redirection.
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And, like so many, I lost my stable income during COVID. Watching my savings vanish was terrifying - but it also pushed me to rethink everything.
Each challenge could have broken me. But instead, they built me into the woman I am today: tenacious, determined, and unwilling to give up when something truly matters.
đ From Struggle to Purpose
For as long as I can remember, Iâve wrestled with self-esteem and body image. I grew up overweight, learned harmful habits as a teen, and carried the belief that âthin = good enoughâ for far too long. Itâs taken years of unlearning and healing to get to a place where I can say: I am enough, just as I am.
This is at the very heart of Positano. I know how debilitating it feels to stand in front of a mirror and only see what you think is wrong with you. I also know how transformative it feels to slip on a garment that celebrates your shape, supports your body, and makes you feel beautiful.
Thatâs why Positano exists - to remind women that they are good enough, just the way they are.
đş The Birth of Positano
When I started Positano, it wasnât just about clothing. It was about creating something bigger: a brand that whispers confidence into every womanâs ear, that helps her reconnect with the vibrant, carefree part of herself she may have forgotten.
Positano is inspired by La Dolce Vita - the art of living sweetly. To me, that means saying yes to joy, choosing authenticity, and living life in colour. It means quality over quantity, classic style over fleeting trends, and balance over burnout.
And it means creating a community of women who lift one another up.
đ Why Iâm Sharing This With You
Because I want you to know Positano isnât just another clothing label. Itâs personal. Itâs my story stitched into every seam - and hopefully, yours too.
If youâve ever had to reinvent yourself, rebuild after loss, or simply remind yourself that you are enough⌠then Positano is for you.
This is just the beginning of the story I want to tell, and Iâm so grateful youâre here to share it with me.
⨠Coming up next in this blog series: Reinventing Yourself After Setbacks - how failure became my launchpad.
Comments
Gizelde Brady
I love your brand. I celebrate your story. You speak for many.
September 04, 2025
Romilly
Thank you so much for sharing your journey and so proud of all that you have achieved and how inspiring you are! So delighted to have met you and own a few Positano pieces!
September 04, 2025
Jenny
How inspiring you are. I visited in February and fell in love with your lovely shop and all of its clothes etc. I wish you were not so ffaaway. Iâm in uk xx
September 04, 2025
Hilary Ginsberg
I am very impressed with your strength and capability â congratulations! .
I love your clothing and have bought two dresses and two pairs of pants. I am looking forward to getting more of your lovely cool dresses this summer( if it ever comes). Best regards.Hilary
September 04, 2025
Cath
Hi cuz
Wow! Brilliantly written, so authentic and honest. You are a true inspiration. I am so very proud of you, who you are, how youâve navigated lifeâs traumas and challenges and the brand you have created in Positano.
Miss you so much it hurts.
Love you x x
September 04, 2025
Nano shadung
This is beautiful and authentic but most importantly relatable. What I am taking from this article is we might be different yet we have walked in each others shoes.
Thank you for letting us in and sharing. Cheers to #Positano #Thebeginning
September 04, 2025
Jane Keller
Debbie you are an absolute inspiration â¤ď¸ Fierce, courageous and beautifully brave!
September 04, 2025
Marelize
Heartbreaking but beautiful story, a think a lot of peoples stories start with grief or difficulties and yours is one to admire. đЎđЎ
September 04, 2025
Andre van Heerden
Shared by a mutual friend of ours.
Wow! What an inspiring read, you deserve all the success that the universe will shower on you.
September 04, 2025
Elsabe
Debs your story is inspiring and one for many others to learn from. You are an incredible human and deserve everything you wish for. Lots of love Elsabe
September 04, 2025
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