Maureen Hall represents a beacon of entrepreneurial excellence in the UAE, having founded and led COÉGA Sunwear to its well-deserved reputation as a top-tier swimwear brand. The journey that began in 2004 has evolved into an inspiring tale of determination, innovation, and commitment to inclusivity. Originally hailing from Canada, Maureen spent 12 years as a helicopter mechanic in the Canadian Air Force during the 80s. Beyond her military career, sewing was a creative outlet that she passionately pursued during her off-duty hours.
When she moved to Dubai in 2000 with her young family, she quickly realized that there was a need for protective Sunwear. After seeing how many young kids slipped over and hurt themselves around Dubai pools, not to mention blistered feet on the scorching hot cement, the Pool Shoe was developed. Her journey from a skilled aircraft technician to the founder and CEO of a well-established swimwear brand reflects her determination and passion for creating something unique and meaningful.
COÉGA’s remarkable journey has seen it evolve from a small-scale operation distributing to a single retail outlet in Dubai to a revered brand that has forged collaborations with major international names like Disney, Marvel, and Warner Bros. What distinguishes COÉGA Sunwear is its deep-rooted commitment to inclusivity and modesty. Maureen’s vision was clear: to design swimwear that caters to all body types and preferences. From three-piece suits to full-coverage bottoms and plus sizes, COÉGA ensures that every individual finds swimwear that fits comfortably and boosts their confidence.
Maureen has an eye for detail and is hands-on with the design process for COÉGA Sunwear products. She has done everything from designing garments and making patterns to creating completely bespoke items from a simple idea. She conceptualized the design of the COÉGA best-selling “Slimkini”, a unique one-piece swim bodysuit for Ladies and Girls, available in three lengths to suit different coverage needs. Her vision of becoming the number-one, all-inclusive comfort swimwear brand drives the dedicated team at COÉGA, with their mission firmly anchored in providing UV protective swimwear for all.
Operating from its headquarters in Jebel Ali, Dubai, COÉGA Sunwear is a proud UAE-grown enterprise. Maureen’s unwavering commitment to manufacturing locally, underlines the brand’s dedication to reducing its carbon footprint, thereby contributing to the country’s economic growth.
Both in her personal life and throughout her professional journey, Maureen has consistently advocated for the adoption of sustainable practices whenever feasible. COÉGA Sunwear has been utilizing sustainable fabrics in their swimwear since 2014, and today more than 60% of their swimwear fabric is made from recycled materials. This eco-friendly approach not only lessens environmental impact but also aligns with the brand’s ethos of sustainability. Furthermore, the brand continually strives to minimize waste in its production process COÉGA aims to minimize waste in their production process, by repurposing leftover fabric to create additional pool shoes and implementing eco-friendly packaging solutions.
Embodying the essence of slow fashion, COÉGA’s swimwear is crafted from Lycra XtraLife fabric ensuring durability and comfort, while reducing landfill waste. A remarkable aspect of COÉGA’s identity is its philanthropic endeavors. The company believes in giving back to society and has consistently supported various charitable campaigns. They donate a portion of their online sales to the ‘Clean Ocean Initiative’ and in the past, have participated in initiatives like ‘Drop Your Shorts For Good,’ ‘PINK-TOBER’ campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness, and ‘Stop & Help’ to aid needy families.
As COÉGA Sunwear approaches its 20th anniversary, Maureen reflects on the incredible journey the brand has embarked on over the past two decades that has propelled the brand to its current standing. The vision of inclusivity, sustainability, and dedication to providing top-notch UV protective swimwear remains steadfast, guiding COÉGA Sunwear towards an even brighter future.
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