I was recently introduced to Kymare, a swimwear label based in the Netherlands whose designs had me head over heels at first sight. Kymare's unique approach in the cuts and details of the swimsuits really appealed to me, so of course I had to know what went down with Kymare. Luckily, the beautiful designer behind Kymare, Kim Wormgoor gave me a chance to catch up with her up and personal story!
1. Introduce yourself.
I am Kim, living in Arnhem the Netherlands, which is NOT a city in Denmark, and often called Holland which is incorrect. I Studied Fashion at ARTEZ, graduated in 2002, started Kymare in 2005 and have a passion for water, Australia and my two brothers called Rob & Niek.
2. What made you decide to become a designer?
I like to create and develop, it's something that comes natural to me and I can do this best as a designer.
3. What’s the story behind your label, Kymare?
The name of the label is a combination of my name Kim and the Italian translation for sea: mare. My passion for water and windsurfing always takes an important place in the collection. For me designing is using my intuition and do what I love so the designs need to speak for themselves without interesting concepts or whatsoever.
4. Describe a typical day in the Kymare studio.
First I put the heat on! On the moment it's freezing here, -6 C during the day and the studio is located in an old house from somewhere in the 16th century. I check my emails and start this week with my first sketches and mood board for SS12. In winter time I always design the next collection since we only have one collection a year.
5. Your career kicked off with your very first swimwear collection at the Mittelmoda Fashion Awards in Grado, Italy back in 2003. Why swimwear?
I graduated and preferred a design job in the surf and swim industry because I love the laid back live style of surfers with water, sun and travels. So working as a designer means also a lot of inspiration trips to hot spots like California! And sport events, but my swimwear collection for the MFA was a bit more avant-garde and chic.
6. What would you say is the Kymare vibe?
A mix of effortless, chic, fun & hedonism, refined, graphic, little bit surf and I adore the 70ies swim style.
7. I see that you have taken Kymare even further by designing your first Kymare clothing line for the 2011 summer season (I absolutely adore it). Can you give us a little background on how this process was similar or different from designing swimwear? And how did you transfer the Kymare vibe from swimwear to clothing?
What I mentioned above needs to be in a bikini as well as in a jumpsuit or blazer. Always comfortable versus chic, every piece needs to be a personal must have.
8. Where do you see yourself and Kymare heading for the future?
I don't look to far ahead but I want to refine the Kymare signature in the next SS12 collection, enjoy my work, travel and of course do good business.
9. Who are your muses?
Free minded women in a refined, edgy, elegant style. I like the style of Dree Hemingway.
10. With fashion bloggers on the rise, what is your take on bloggers?
I almost never buy fashion magazines anymore, I only visit blogs and buy the nice issues of ID or Rush mag. Bloggers are more inspiring and real to me then the standard fashion magazines. It's an honor if bloggers post about Kymare!
11. Any words of advice for aspiring designers?
Follow your intuition and don't think too much in the future, this only makes you worry.
12. And lastly, what is one question you would like to ask our next interviewee?
What's your favorite kind of bikini?
Who agrees that we all love free minded women with a refined, edgy, elegant style? I definitely do. And I cannot emphasize how pleased I am at the fact that Kymare has expanded into clothing, because each piece just gets better and better! What do you folks think?
For more of Kymare, go here.
.
