November Issue
kiin x Sandra Jones
What you wear underneath your clothes is as important as what you wear outside for the world to see. Growing up with a father who worked in the women’s intimate apparel industry, I have always appreciated and understood the importance of lingerie and how it affects your confidence, setting a positive tone for how you feel about yourself.
This summer, I discovered Lise Charmel's nude demi-cup in the lingerie section at a luxury department store in New York City. It stood out among the other brands and styles hanging in the dressing room, and I knew there was no reason to try anything else. The fit was exceptional and super comfortable. Fit is everything, and how something makes you feel when you put it on is the ultimate motivation to purchase it.
As someone who loves all things pretty, Lise Charmel’s exquisite design with incredible attention to detail gave it a luxurious quality—including an ultrafine Swarovski crystal delicately placed on the bridge that brought that extra something—the wow factor.
I love wearing Lisa Charmel and secretly knowing I am wearing something so beautiful underneath my clothes that no one else can see. It gives me confidence and helps exude my feminine energy throughout the day.
Meeting Sandra Jones, the North America Director of Lise Charmel, was organic.
A random phone call to the company about navigating their website led me to her. My technical inquiry turned into an enthusiastic conversation about the brand and its distinguished history in luxury lingerie. By the end, Sandra and I discussed collaborating with Kiin to spotlight Lise Charmel.
I am excited and look forward to an incredible relationship with Lise Charmel. Please check out my interview with Sandra below and see why this brand is a leader in the luxury lingerie market.
Please read on to “meet” Sandra in our interview...
X Carolyn
kiin Picks
I N T E R V I E W
What brought you to Lise Charmel, and what is your role in the company?
I have been in the fashion industry for over twenty-five years and was always attracted to couture with its high standards of excellence in artistry, construction, and design. Lise Charmel offers no less in corsetry and swimwear, standing out as the premiere French lingerie luxury brand for over 75 years. I joined Lise Charmel ten years ago and continue to oversee brand development in North America.
Can you give us a little background of the company, the inspiration behind the brand, and how it speaks to today's women?
Lise Charmel was born in the 1950s in the heart of Lyon’s silk district and is recognized for its luxury lingerie corsetry and swimwear. With its selection of the finest materials and original designs and prints, the Maison draws inspiration from major artistic movements, combining sophistication, innovation, and tradition. All Lise Charmel collections are created to serve women concerned with quality, well-being, and comfort.
Can you share with us how swimwear and loungewear came about?
Loungewear has always been part of the offer, especially in our iconic silk collections. Each season, loungewear completes the offer of each line to define a complete lifestyle around lingerie and corsetry.
As for Lisa Charmel swim, it was launched about thirty years ago. Our swimwear aligns technically with the support, comfort, and construction developed as a corset maker. The swimsuits are known for their modern designs, exclusive patterns, and impeccable fit and comfort. In addition, we were the first brand to bring high-end bra silhouettes, and couture finishes to a swim collection. The Maison is constantly investing in research to implement the latest technologies, from eco-sensitive materials to performance fabrics, but never compromising comfort and fit. The line is available in S/M/L sizing and up to G cup.
What do you feel sets Lise Charmel’s creative vision apart from other brands, and how is your brand message kept consistent?
Sophisticated design, expert construction, and technical achievement are the fundamentals of the Lise Charmel brand– all functions are interconnected to be constantly in sync with the client's expectations. Our designs are exclusive and start in our atelier. We also partner with some of the most prestigious artisans in their field to create original silk, lace, and embroidery fabrics, color harmonies, and patterns. We employ the best lace-makers in the Leavers technique and specialists in silks, guipures, and embroidery, including the most creative and skilled Italian embroiderers and designers. The brand is distinguished by its technical expertise, which combines expert knowledge of the "handmade" with innovative new technologies.
5. Lise Charmel, as we discussed, uses the finest fabrics for its collections. Can you tell us the story behind Lyons “silk” and Calais Caudry Leaver’s Lace and why it’s so exclusive?
Since the Renaissance, Lyon has been known as the silk capital of Europe, with the best silk spinners, patternmakers, weavers, artisans, and designers. "Authentic" Calais-Caudry leaver's lace is still manufactured on mechanical looms from the 1850s, offering unique and intricate details enabling lace to be produced that was identical to handmade versions. For two hundred years, this weaving technique has remained unsurpassed. France now possesses eighty percent of Leavers looms worldwide. They are all concentrated in Calais and Caudry, providing Haute Couture, luxury ready-to-wear designers, and The Maison Lise Charmel.
6. If a new customer was to purchase for the first time, what would you suggest is a must-have? What key pieces in your collections and colors sell the best?
Our brand offers several shapes, but our demi cup bra styles are our best sellers and the brand's key signature piece.
Lise Charmel also has four must-have, iconic collections offering women a variety of styles and colors to choose from depending on their needs:
Collection Splendeur Soie: An iconic collection of silk and one-of-a-kind embroidery inspired by fine crystal engraved designs. It is a hallmark of luxury and artisanal craftsmanship.
Collection Soir de Venise: A luxury corsetry inspired by the magic of an evening in Venice and the art of its sumptuous parties. Calais lace is adorned with chiseled embroidery, encrusted with guipure, and studded with Swarovski rhinestones to create a delicate alliance.
Collection Dressing Floral: The modernity of an elegant design made of intricate guipure with a tattoo effect inspired by Art Deco architectural designs is a best-seller collection.
Collection Sublime en Dentelle: Inspired by the exquisite Palais Royale Gardens in Paris, the collection is an artfully rendered oasis of beauty made of unique Italian floral embroidery on fine translucent tulle and intricate Leavers lace.
7. Do you have your own retail shops, and if so, how many and where are they located?
Our flagship and showroom is located in the heart of Saint-Germain des Pres in Paris's 6th district. In addition, we have several retail stores located in major cities in France. However, we work mainly with existing lingerie retail stores and the Neiman Marcus Group in America.
You can also find Lise Charmel’s full line of products on our website: www.lisecharmel.com.
8. What would you say is Lise Charmel's signature style?
Our signature style is the demi-cup bra—a bra we perfected for fit, comfort, and style that offers up to G cup in certain lines. Our customers always pair their bras with our elegant, high-fashion panties to perfect their looks.
9. Can you give us a preview of what to expect for the upcoming Spring/Summer collection?
The Lise Charmel 2023 Spring/Summer collection is vibrant, audacious, and sexy. Bold colors flirt with delicate neutrals while silhouettes offer new details you will want to show off—resolutely modern!
10. Why do you feel Lise Charmel is aligned with Kiin’s aesthetic, community, and brand message?
Both Lise Charmel and Kiin address a resolutely modern woman who embraces who she is while expressing it through curated luxury and unique design.