Love, Bonito partners with Airwallex to expand its global footprint

Introducing Love, Bonito 

Love, Bonito is a womenswear brand from Singapore, created to empower women through thoughtfully designed clothing. Its pieces blend style with purpose, crafted for the diverse lives of women across Southeast Asia.

The brand began as a humble blogshop selling pre-loved clothes before launching its original designs in 2010. Co-founder Rachel Lim left university to pursue the business full-time, transforming a side hustle into a thriving omnichannel brand.

As demand grew beyond Singapore, the team moved quickly to expand their reach and connect with women globally. Today, Love, Bonito has a strong eCommerce presence and 27 retail stores across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.

Despite rapid growth, expanding beyond Singapore wasn’t easy. “I still remember what those early days were like,” says Rachel. “When we entered new markets, we had to adapt to local nuances and regulations, including payment systems.” These challenges added operational complexity and slowed the momentum Love, Bonito had built.

The challenge

Navigating fragmented local banking systems 

Entering new markets involves more than launching new styles. Each country brought its own set of banking regulations and payment systems, making it difficult for Love, Bonito to streamline financial processes. The team faced the challenge of managing different payment networks, local banking practices, and compliance requirements – all of which added layers of complexity to everyday transactions.

In some countries, regulations required additional paperwork, such as submitting invoices or contracts before sending overseas transfers. While these checks ensured regulatory compliance, they also caused payment delays and operational hurdles.

Rachel Lim

Co-founder at Love, Bonito

"When we set our sights beyond Singapore, we knew expansion wouldn’t be easy. Navigating new markets and managing finances across different countries was overwhelming. But I quickly realised that growth is about having the right people and the right tools to support you at every step – and that's how Airwallex came to the rescue."

Managing the costs of international transfers 

Like many fashion retailers, Love, Bonito works with suppliers worldwide. However, paying them wasn’t always straightforward. The team had to navigate currency conversions and fluctuating exchange rates, which drove up costs and added complexity.

Every SWIFT transfer came with fees, making payments more expensive and less predictable across markets.

As Love, Bonito expanded across Southeast Asia, the need for a more efficient financial setup became increasingly urgent.

The solution 

A financial platform tailored to Love, Bonito’s growth across Southeast Asia

That’s where Airwallex comes in. With its full suite of products, Airwallex delivers an all-in-one solution that simplifies global operations and streamlines financial management for fast-growing businesses like Love, Bonito.

By using Airwallex Global Accounts, Love, Bonito bypassed traditional banking barriers – the team could open local currency accounts online in minutes, a significant advantage in a region with diverse banking systems. They can also use funds from these local currency accounts to pay overseas suppliers, minimising unnecessary currency conversions.

International transfers that once took days and came with high fees are now completed in minutes, at a fraction of the cost. By tapping into Airwallex’s local payment network in 120+ countries, Love, Bonito avoids SWIFT fees, with foreign transaction fees clearly stated upfront. This transparency helps the brand better anticipate costs and manage global payments with confidence.

Rachel Lim

Co-founder at Love, Bonito

"For us, technology isn’t just about efficiency – it’s about breaking barriers. With Airwallex’s financial technology, we’re streamlining our financial operations, freeing up time to focus on what really matters: growing our brand and empowering women."

The results 

Like trading a mismatched outfit for a well-curated ensemble, Love, Bonito replaced a complex global payments system with an all-in-one financial platform. Since adopting Airwallex, Love, Bonito has gained better control over its finances, freeing up the team to focus on growing the brand, expanding its community, and empowering more women across Southeast Asia. 

• Paying overseas suppliers used to be costly. With Airwallex, Love, Bonito now saves around 25% on cross-border transfer fees.

• Previously, international payments were slow and unpredictable. Now, 95% of transfers arrive on the same day – accelerating cash flow and improving supplier relationships.

• With less time spent managing payments, Love, Bonito can focus more on expanding its brand and empowering women entrepreneurs across the region.

For entrepreneurs looking to make the bold leap overseas, Rachel has one key piece of advice: don’t do it alone. 

“Look for the right partners you can trust to support your growth,” Rachel says. “ Airwallex shares our ambition for impact and growth. Together, we’re breaking barriers, entering new markets, and reaching more entrepreneurs around the world.”