Be your own Lingerie designer in a couple of clicks
Owners and sisters Noelle (left) and Kali (right)
Have you ever looked at a piece of lingerie and thought it would be perfect if you could just change the fabric or the style of briefs that went with the bra? Well offering customised lingerie, brand Impish Lee is sewing to your design to your need. Offering 27 trillion options, you'll always be able to find the option you want.
Sewing and designing for three years Impish Lee will strike a chord with every independent lingerie brand that sews it's own lingerie. They were approached by Urban Outfitters, and they went on to hand make 350 units of lingerie (and if they were like myself when I ran my own label and received an order from Topshop I missed the whole of Autumm busy sewing).
What Impish Lee gained and understood from this, was that what the customer wanted was customisation, and they as a brand could give it to them.
Intrigued and in awe of this brand that were prepared to shake up the way lingerie is usually bought on-line (and not to forget that they are potentially cutting down waste as everything is made to order) I caught up with the brand to learn a little more about Impish Lee and the two sister behind the label.
What year did you start Impish Lee?
Impish Lee was founded in 2013
Can you give a brief description of the style of Impish Lee?
Since our inception, the style of Impish Lee has encompassed a soft and feminine aesthetic with a 'lazy-Sunday' vibe. However, with our new customization web platform, the style of your lingerie is completely dependent on you! With over 50 fabrics to choose from, and numerous finishings, Impish Lee lets you design intimates that reflect YOUR style!
Did you have any formal lingerie design?
My path to fashion design was very a typical. Growing up, I was saturated in creative work, from music to painting, anything I could do with my hands was explored. In 2005, I attended The Berklee School of Music and graduated as a film composer, only to find a yearning to get back to working with my hands. So, I took an intro sewing class and began teaching myself everything I could. Over the next few years, I absorbed all that I could about designing and sewing lingerie, as well as the world of fashion. Looking back, being a self-taught designer, has been very challenging, but, even more so, rewarding to know that my thirst for education in the field is limitless.
What three things have inspired you lately?
Three things that have inspired me lately are the support of my family and friends while running this Kickstarter Campaign, the warmer weather that's finally starting to bring out spring colors, and anyone who is starting to stand up against fast-fashion.
What is your ideal day?
My ideal day would start by sleeping in and cuddling with my love of 11 years Vincent, and my fluff-ball dog, Hutch. Then a walk to the dog park to run around for a while, stopping on the way home for an everything bagel toasted with cream cheese and sliced tomato! I'm certainly known as someone who doesn't leave work at work, so, of course the day would include some designing, sewing, or reaching out to the lingerie community in some way. A home cooked meal, glass of red wine, and a funny movie are always the best way to end the day!
What three things define beauty to you in a woman?
Beauty is solely defined from within, and to me, a beautiful woman is funny, humble, yet confident.
What motivates you?
I'm motivated most by the prospect of providing a completely unique platform where the attention is on the each shoppers personal aesthetic. Mass production caters to the idea that all people are the same and will desire the same products. This is obviously not accurate by any means, and I'm excited to stand up for individuality.
What words of advice would you give inspiring designers?
Get outside of the box. Try to teach yourself everything you can, and then break all the rules!
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Looking for further inspiration interviews, read : How to be a Lingerie Designer