How Erika Toscano Built Ziah Around Female Confidence And Sensuality
A Decade On
By Kiri Johnston | 2nd July 2026Born from founder Erika Toscano‘s Brazilian upbringing and shaped by the slower pace of Byron Bay, where she now calls home, Ziah is an embrace of feminine confidence and sensuality.
Before launching the brand in 2015, Erika built her career in Rio de Janeiro, working across fashion design, styling and costume design before relocating to Australia, where she later spent almost five years as Head Designer at St. Agni while continuing to grow Ziah.
Crafted consciously from biodegradable materials, each piece is designed to transcend seasons, moving seamlessly from beach to bar and day to night. Drawing on the spirit of Brazil and a considered approach to modern resortwear, Ziah has become synonymous with timeless silhouettes that prioritise confidence, versatility and longevity.
We caught up with Erika to discuss the inspirations behind the brand, designing for confidence, and why versatility has always been at the heart of Ziah.
How have Byron Bay and your Brazilian background both influenced the aesthetic language of Ziah?
“Byron Bay influenced my drive to work with more sustainable materials and be as conscious as possible, but aesthetically, the brand is still very much influenced by the spirit and sensuality of Brazil.”
There’s a sensuality to Ziah that feels instinctive rather than over-designed. How do you approach designing for women in that way?
“I never want the sensuality to feel forced. For me, it’s about designing pieces that encourage women to feel confident and comfortable in themselves, no matter what they wear, whether that’s a tiny bikini, a sheer dress, or something more covered. I think fashion should feel liberating and expressive, rather than full of rules about what women should or shouldn’t wear. The most beautiful kind of sensuality is when someone feels good in their own skin without trying too hard. That natural confidence and freedom is always what I’m chasing through design.”
Ziah pieces feel designed for movement and real life, not just holidays. Was versatility always part of the vision?
“Very much so. In my twenties in Rio, I was already wearing one-pieces as bodysuits to go out at night, so I always thought it was important to blend swimwear into everyday life and give more wearability to the pieces, even if they were originally designed for the beach or pool. It’s also about freedom of expression and wearing things however you want.”
You were the head designer at St. Agni while simultaneously growing Ziah. What did that period teach you?
“It taught me a lot because I joined when the brand was still quite small, and during those years, it grew very quickly. Being part of that growth meant I naturally became involved in many different areas beyond designing, which gave me a broader understanding of building a brand and business creatively. It also taught me more about restraint, consistency, and understanding how to build a strong brand identity over time while still staying connected to creativity.”
What was inspiring you creatively while designing Resort ‘26?
“My friends are one of my biggest inspirations. The way they dress, what they feel is missing, if they react positively to something – sometimes that helps guide me creatively without even saying anything. Places we go, music, parties, and dancing also always inspire me.”
A decade on from launching Ziah, Erika’s vision remains unchanged: creating thoughtfully designed pieces that move through every part of a woman’s life while celebrating confidence, individuality and ease. Shop the edit here.
