Meet Bonita Kye, the lovely founder & designer of Los Angeles based brand KYE Intimates. A project rooted in the desire to design undergarments for women by women, Bonita takes a deeply considered approach to crafting elegant yet functional daily necessities. Not only impeccably tailored and truly comfortable, each piece in the collection is also crafted from sustainably sourced materials and produced in partnership with a local, female owned factory. A longtime daily staple in our own wardrobe, we were thrilled to chat with the woman behind the brand.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHERE DO YOU RESIDE NOW?

I was born and raised in Los Angeles and now live in Santa Monica with my husband and pup—it’s close to the city yet feels a world away all at the same time.

WAS THERE A MOMENT OR TURNING POINT IN WHICH YOU REALIZED YOU WANTED TO LAUNCH YOUR OWN INTIMATES LINE?

At the time, intimates were primarily designed either for functionality or the male gaze. I’ve always dreamt of creating a collection with the woman at the forefront, prioritizing functionality, comfort and a touch of romance. After getting married, we spent a bit over a year living in New York for my husband's work, and it turned out to be the perfect time and place to start developing KYE.

WHEN DESIGNING A NEW PIECE OR COLLECTION FOR KYE, WHAT DOES YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS LOOK LIKE?

It is a continuous process of refining the core collection—identifying gaps and archiving pieces that may serve a redundant purpose. I often turn to design books and films for inspiration, chat with friends, sketch, make edits, and finally develop patterns/samples with our brilliant pattern maker and sewers.

PRODUCING YOUR LINE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A LOCAL, FEMALE OWNED FACTORY AND UTILIZING SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS ARE KEY INGREDIENTS OF KYE. WAS THIS A CONSCIOUS DECISION OR SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED ORGANICALLY?

Choosing to partner with a local, women-owned factory and using thoughtfully sourced materials is definitely a conscious decision for us, despite sometimes being a more costly choice. Our planet is always at the center of our decisions, and although we're far from perfect, we're committed to continually learning and improving our practices over time.

WHEN NOT WORKING ON KYE, WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU?

Most likely at the beach or on a hike! I also picked up skateboarding at the beginning of the year and it’s been so much fun having zero expectations to be any good at it.

WHAT HAS YOU INSPIRED LATELY?

Always, my friends. After a swim, whether it’s in the lap pool or the ocean, I somehow slip into a meditative state without even intending to.

ANY FAVORITE LOS ANGELES DESTINATIONS AT THE MOMENT? 

Visit: Hollyhock House (pictured below), Neutra VDL House II, The Huntington Library (Botanical gardens), Seventh House, Francis Gallery

Restaurants: Speranza (for pasta), Joy (for Taiwanese comfort food), Sunset Tower (for a martini and fries), Jones (for a good time).

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR HOME? DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE ROOM TO SPEND TIME IN?

Our home is currently quite minimal as we are gradually working on it. My favorite part is definitely the kitchen—it’s the heart of our home. Whether we have company over or it’s just my husband and me, we always find ourselves gathering at the nook, snacking and catching up. 

WHAT'S NEXT FOR KYE?

More color :)

 

Explore Sommer's assortment from KYE Intimates here.