Inspirational People – Inge
For a long time I´ve been planning to introduce you the people that have inspired me. Some of them even so much that they now have items in our collections named after them. These are people that I´ve known all my life or met recently. Either way behind every piece there is an incredible person that has changed my life and made me the person I am today.
And what better time to start than on Mother´s Day and with the introduction of Inge Soonik. Yes,
you´re right, that´s my mother.
The story why the Inge Wrap was named after her started with a boutique meeting a couple of years ago. The buyer, seeing the first prototype of the open back hooded wrap complained, “That´s what my 15-year old niece would wear not our posh clients in their 40s”. I was absolutely shocked as I had imagined that piece to be worn by the most elegant of women.
Confused as I was, I went back home, told the story to my mum and she screamed “What? I´ve had my eye on that piece from the very start. I could easily wear that to the beach!” She put on the wrap and it looked absolutely stunning on her. Better than I had ever imagined. She has always been my style icon, so knowing that she can rock that piece, I got back the confidence that other “non-15-year-olds” can do that as well.
My mum is smart, funny and we are often mistaken for sisters. She is one of the few people in my life that I can trust entirely, unconditionally. She has always been a massive support (yes, you too dad!). Especially so with encouraging me to follow my dreams and make the bold steps of starting a business. With her always by my side, at some point it made perfect sense to get her even more involved. She is now the person in our company that makes sure all the lovely items you order will get to you as soon as possible and in flawless quality. And when it comes to being quality freaks, you can trust me, it runs in the family.
Today the Inge Mesh Wrap is one of our signature pieces that women of every age are intrigued by and if you have a sense of style, you´ll know how to show it off. No matter the age.
Rebel Bride out Now!
Spring is the wedding season, and we´ve given a honeymoon white and rock ‘n’ roll touch to our Classic styles, creating a range that is perfect for all “white-lovers and brides to be. The new collection is rich in white lace and jersey, great as a bridal gift as well as to enhance a summer glow. Hope you enjoy!
Rebel Bride
Models: Lotta-Marii Kingla and Marten Kuningas
Photographer: Kristel Raesaar
Make-up: Kirki Kubri
Hair: Sille Herma @ Savannah
A Day in Berlin
Last week I travelled to one of the coolest cities in Europe – Berlin. My love affair with Berlin started about four years ago when I went to a Foo Fighters concert with friends. I didn´t think much of Berlin before that trip (it was the only place where we still could get tickets to the concert) but that trip changed it all. I like how big the city is but how quiet it is at the same time. You can see the city developing and slowly becoming the new alternative fashion capital. I seriously think one day was not enough for this trip and I want to go back to see more.
12:00 Visited our first Berlin stockist – the gorgeous Linierie boutique. The shop is located on the quiet Linienstrasse just in the middle of the city’s most vibrant area filled with art galleries, one-of-a-kind boutiques, design studios and concept stores. They are very unique, selling a mix of comfy and elegant luxury lingerie brands not available anywhere else in Berlin. Although so far they´ve only had a small selection of our collection in store, rumour has it that a very cool German rock star has already bought some of our frilly creations. Luckily more stock arriving in June.
14:00 Had lunch at the very sleek hotel Lux 11 restaurant Luchs with Tanja from Impulse PR. Why the choice? Over the next couple of months we´ll be introducing Kriss Soonik to German fashion press and buyers which culminates with an event in October. Fingers crossed the venue for the event will be the very same hotel´s penthouse. I loved the hotel because of its edginess and quirky touches (also describing our brand well). I mean, the staff wear Adidas branded tracksuits, they have a fashion store and beauty salon under its roof – how can you not like that?
I think the only cool touch missing is the Kriss Soonik dressing gowns in their suits, don´t you agree?
16:00 Managed to see the lovely Nicole from Fräulein Kink for half an hour. It really was the fastest cupcake eating in my life. But if everything goes according to plan you might see a collaboration from us for the SS13 collection. After all we are massive fans of her work and the below image says quite a lot of the direction of what our collaboration could be. Keyword: glamorous pussycats.
If you´re interested in working with us in Germany, email us kriss@kriss-soonik.com for more information.
Images author´s own and via www.lux-eleven.de, www.frauleinkink.com , www.linierie.com
What we wore to our press day?
Beginning of April we hosted our AW12 collection press day at The Lingerie Collective boutique. We shared the showroom (and a few glasses of bubbly) with four other amazing fashion-forward lingerie brands – Yes Master, Marlies Dekkers, Dirty Pretty Things and MC Lounge. Was great seeing familiar faces and first time visitors. Guests included Harper´s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, LOVE, Conde Nast International, myfashdiary.com…
We really felt that our twisted “underwear as outerwear” concept was finally getting across to editors and many of them left smitten with our cool dressing gowns. You can take a look above at what Kriss and Gaia wore to the busy day showcasing the loungerie look.
Thanks to everyone who came and hope to see you all soon!
That pink fluffy dressing gown saga…
When I was 25 I found out in horror that I was still wearing a pink fluffy dressing gown with blue penguins. “Oh god, I am a lingerie designer creating gorgeous little underthings and I am wearing this thing at home?” But what can I do when I am not the silk gown wearing type? Not in the Autumn/Winter/Spring cycle at least. Then I love practical, comfortable and warm things.
I started looking around and found that there definitely wasn´t anything on the market that could satisfy my taste buds. And that´s when my dressing gown fetish started.
In search of that perfect gown, I met with other like-minded women and heard that they usually had 2 gowns – a luxurious silk satin gown for seducing someone or greeting the postman (often the same thing) and the embarrassing fluffy one that no-one´s allowed to see but you. But what happens when it´s cold and you want to seduce someone? Or when the postman comes when you´re wearing the wrong gown?
And seduction aside, what about me? If I’m wearing stylish clothes outside, why on earth should I change into something boring or fluffy and pink with hearts on at home? Why can’t I go home and put on something that extends the aesthetic pleasure, being soft and comfortable at the same time? The answer at that time was simple – there really just wasn´t anything on the market! All velour gown manufacturers wanted to turn women into these cute adorable creatures that had to wear a sign “I love lollipop” on the back.
And that´s how the first Diana Patent Wrap (as seen on the image) was born.
But now the cherry on top. Many friends and customers have shyly asked whether it would be ok to wear our gowns outside. The answer is: of course! That´s the beauty of the whole concept. These wraps, gowns, coats (whatever we call them) are multi-functional items. You can wear them as innerwear, outerwear, you name it. And right now is the best weather to take them out for a walk!
Enjoy the lovely Spring!
Kriss x
If you have any stories or ideas how to help us on the journey giving the boring old gown a fresh new twist, email kriss@kriss-soonik.com. We´d love to hear from you!
