Confident & Body-Positive: Meet Monique Morin Lingerie!
Welcome back to our ongoing Q&A series! We started writing these in our weekly email blasts to address questions on a variety of topics that we commonly hear from our customers. Eventually, we decided that we wanted to make them an evergreen educational resource, and thus this series was born. Check out our Q&A category under Lotus Blooms Life in the menu for more posts in the series.
One of our core values here at Lotus Blooms is that every body deserves pleasure, and deserves to feel sensual, sexy, and fabulous. As we continue to expand our lingerie offerings, we seek out women-owned small businesses and designers who create beautiful, high-quality pieces that focus on how good the person wearing them will feel-- not on catering to an objectifying gaze. We especially love crossover pieces that can be worn out in the world as well as at home, and we look for size-inclusive lines that are affordable for all bodies.
We got some time with one of our newest design partners, Monique Morin, to talk about her body-positive line of sleek, stylish lingerie, her eco-friendly values, and her inspirations. Drop by the shop or check out our online store to discover how wonderful her lingerie-- like her Vertical Striped Mesh High Neck Teddy, or her Vertical Striped Mesh High Leg Panty in Denim Blue-- will make you feel!
How, when and why did you get into this industry? We'd love to hear your story.
I learned to sew at a very young age from my mother. There is something very empowering about turning a piece of fabric into something that can be worn.
Before I got into fashion, I studied applied sciences and architecture. I moved on to get a degree in fashion design in Quebec, Canada and spent the first part of my career working as a creative and technical designer for lingerie in Montreal. Choosing intimate apparel out of all the specialties related to fashion design came from my passion for structured design.
In 2009, I relocated to Columbus, Ohio where I spent 8 years leading lingerie design and innovation within the L Brands Group. I will always be very grateful for what I learned from being part of such a powerful organization, but I must admit, it is also what pushed me to go out on my own and find greater purpose. Early in 2017, I relocated to New York City to spend all my time and energy doing what I believe in: making women of all sizes and shapes feel beautiful. Using my talents for the purpose of making women feel beautiful and confident is a career path that resonated with my heart 20 years ago and is even more compelling today.
What do you think separates Monique Morin lingerie from the others out there?
I like to think that my mission of making women feel beautiful and confident by designing silhouette-enhancing pieces makes a difference. The brand is body positive, inclusive, and offers quality high fashion pieces. You get it all.
How do you choose the materials that you use?
The material selection is the first step in my creative process, and the most important one. I need to touch and feel the fabric. If I like the feeling, then from there the texture or motifs also need to look unique and fresh. I typically travel to Paris twice a year to attend trend forums and textile trade shows.
What brings you inspiration?
My environment influences my design aesthetic, but I get ideas as soon as I hold a pen and a piece of paper. The creativity flow is easy at that point. My collections are highly influenced by how I experience the world around me, which means that ultimately each collection has its own mood and visual appeal.
Can you shared with us about the process you go through to create a piece from design to production?
The process starts, as I mentioned, from the textile selection. That usually happens in Paris at the Interfiliere trade show. After that, I like to sketch my initial concepts by hand. There is a natural wellspring of inspiration that happens from letting a pen flow on paper. Before moving forward with my concepts and initial ideas, though, I pass my designs through 3 key filters by asking myself these questions:
- Will the piece be flattering on most women's silhouettes and sizes?
- Is the design new and unique enough?
- Can this be achieved at a reasonable price with a process respectful of the environment?
When all answers are "yes", I prepare the technical specifications. I prefer preparing the garment patterns by myself, so I get the fit and the garment lines I have in mind. The fit and the general lines of the styles then get perfected through a series of fittings. I work with professional fit models in sizes 34B/S, 36D/L, and 38F/XXL. The production is currently done by a small factory owned by long-time friends from China.
How would a customer take care of a Monique Morin piece?
We like to keep things easy. We recommend machine washing on a cold cycle for all pieces without underwire. The best way to dry is to hang our lingerie on a drying rack or laid flat on a towel. We recommend hand-washing for any style with underwire to help maintain the fit and shape.
What is the biggest, most important change you've seen in the lingerie industry recently?
Undeniably, the long-overdue shift in marketing. Presenting lingerie on confident women of all shapes and sizes is becoming the norm, and that is a game changer. I also think women are no longer shopping for lingerie to please others, but to celebrate themselves. We finally realize how important it is to love and respect our own bodies.
What would you like people to know about the Monique Morin brand?
That we are not just a brand. We are a team of women working very hard to help others feel confident and beautiful.
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