How our First Nations skincare brand ended up stocked in New York City

FLYY BOD takes the big apple

Fasten your seatbelts, FLYY BOD has gone international baby. 

Here at FLYY BOD, we’re all about taking bold steps and embracing the beauty of culture and innovation. What began as our founder Elissa’s dream in Australia has blossomed into a journey that’s taken us all the way to New York City. That’s right, we said NYC.

Elissa has poured her heart into making FLYY BOD a name in Australia’s beauty industry from scratch. Stepping onto the international stage feels like a dream come true.

It always starts with a slide in the DMs

Elissa reflects, “It still doesn’t feel real to say that we are stocked in NYC, it’s crazy.”

“They reached out to me not too long after launching in 2022 and invited me to apply to stock because they had noticed FLYY BOD on Instagram. I wasn’t in the position to go global after just launching but I circled back to them to see if their offer was still open and it was, so I sent them everything for them to consider stocking FLYY BOD.” 

“After a zoom meeting to SoHo, NY, a bunch of forms and contracts later, FLYY BOD secured its first ever international stockist for a minimum of 6 months in the heart of New York.”

We’re beyond excited to have our products featured in not one but two amazing NYC stores, all thanks to online community and social media. We’re also happy our social media efforts are working. (YAY).

Can you spot FLYY BOD at Doors NYC?

Where dreams are made

In September, Elissa flew over to the U.S. to see all of her hard work come to life.

“Seeing our products on the shelves at Flying Solo and DOORS NYC has been nothing short of surreal. Launching in NYC marks a huge moment in FLYY BOD’s journey,” she says. 

For Elissa, showcasing FLYY BOD in one of the world’s most iconic cities is a proud reminder of the resilience and strength of First Nations-owned businesses.

FLYY BOD on the Flying Solo shelves

FLYY BOD: 1 | NYC winter: 0

With American winter just around the corner, we carefully selected our NYC product lineup to give New Yorkers a taste of Aussie summer to hydrate them through the winter season. Our lush body butters, lotions and travel pouches are rich in natural ingredients to keep New Yorkers glowing, even in those icy months. 

Elissa shares, "We picked these products knowing that NY winters can be harsh, and we wanted to show what FLYY BOD has to offer for all seasons. From our rich body butters to nourishing lotions, we’re excited to share this taste of home."

Bringing the lush tropics to NYC

First Nations to the world

Our launch in New York is about more than expanding FLYY BOD – it’s about representing First Nations businesses on a global platform. 

“It’s incredibly empowering to see Indigenous brands thrive in international markets,” Elissa says. “I hope this paves the way for more First Nations businesses to share their unique stories and products with the world.”

Elissa adds, “the goal has always been to create a circular economy and make the table that was never made for us, part of that is literally just existing and having representation within the industry for the next generation.” 

And FLYY BOD is definitely making that table. A table dripping in lush tropical plants, colourful fruits and big belly laughs. 

Elissa at Doors NYC

Humble beginnings 

Moments like this remind us of where it all started. 

Elissa’s journey with FLYY BOD began back in late 2019, driven by a desire to turn her passion for beauty and culture into something that could go beyond her nine-to-five. 

"From the start, I wanted FLYY BOD to be more than a brand – I wanted it to be a celebration of culture and confidence," Elissa explains. 

With lots of hard work and a commitment to showcase her heritage through her products, she officially launched FLYY BOD in 2022.

We’re so proud of this hot, tropical, confident brand. 

One of our beautiful models being FLYY

Manifestation station

Looking ahead, we have our sights set on expanding further across the U.S. and exploring opportunities in the UK and Europe. For now, we’re celebrating this milestone with immense gratitude, knowing that each FLYY BOD product carries the strength, beauty and resilience of First Nations culture. 

As FLYY BOD continues on this journey, we’re so happy to keep sharing the beauty of our brand’s culture with the world, proving that Indigenous businesses will always be FLYY.

Now go get hydrated with a bod butter or 4. Shop our current range here.