I've previously lamented the woes of finding good, comfortable lingerie, and the same can be said for swimwear. I tend to avoid cold bodies of water, because jumping in with clothes isn't fun, but what's the alternative to finding a perfect swimsuit? Enter BASE Range, a brand that has managed to solve both my bra and swimwear problems in one fell swoop. Founded by two friends, Marie-Louise Mogensen and Blandine de Verdelhan, BASE Range creates soft, supportive basics and swimsuits that feel like butter on skin. And, if that weren't enough, Marie-Louise and Blandine are dedicated to the use of sustainable fabrics and production. I recently spoke to Marie-Louise about the perfection in imperfection.
Shop all BASE Range here
Dana Melanz: How did BASE Range begin?
Marie-Louise Mogensen: Blandine and I were drawn to working with a format that is part of our life and world right now. We met through work—I was designing a kids' line in Copenhagen and Blandine was in Paris at Surface to Air—and we were both moving on from our respective companies. Blandine had just moved to Toulouse from Paris and wanted to create her own line with all the space she had in her new home, and I had been working on a small underwear line, so we decided to merge and create BASE Range.
What does BASE Range mean?
BASE stands for Basic Aesthetic for Sustainable Easywear, which is an overview of what we do. Range was to make it more of a brand name, but also because we want to make a wide range of garments.
What is most important to you when creating undergarments?
It's essential that the woman wearing it can be comfortable in her undergarments. So, our cuts are very simple with very little trim, and made of soft and natural fabrics. We want it to create a feeling of a second layer, rather than a product.
How do you want women to feel when they wear BASE Range?
Just as their own self. We put our heart into the pieces we make, and our clothing choices become an interface through which we communicate our values and desires. We don't believe in making clothes that carry specific signifiers, labels, or symbols, so it creates more freedom and choice for the woman wearing it.
Why is it important that your garments are natural?
Trying to find the best sustainable solutions is the most contemporary way of producing today, even if it sometimes makes the process a little slower. We were both brought up thinking that serious business meant being tough, hard, and fast, but today, I think more people are recognizing that as an illusory goal. Instead, we are drawn to what is real, and we would love if production took on a more human approach.
How do you source your fabrics?
We work with factories in Turkey and Portugal for production, and they are making their own beautiful fabrics. We bring our ideas to them and develop the season's materials together. It's important for us to do that, because we aim to be 100% sustainable.
Your factory in Portugal is very close to Toulouse, where Blandine lives. Are you close to the staff there?
Yes, we have a very dear relationship. They educate us, and show us their techniques, skills, and even just who they are as people. We don't push them to do what we want, but instead find solutions that mix our ideas with their skills.
Let's talk about the current collection. How did you create swimwear without synthetic materials?
We try and find new ways of using cotton that can allow for different surfaces and st
Shop all BASE Range here
Dana Melanz: How did BASE Range begin?
Marie-Louise Mogensen: Blandine and I were drawn to working with a format that is part of our life and world right now. We met through work—I was designing a kids' line in Copenhagen and Blandine was in Paris at Surface to Air—and we were both moving on from our respective companies. Blandine had just moved to Toulouse from Paris and wanted to create her own line with all the space she had in her new home, and I had been working on a small underwear line, so we decided to merge and create BASE Range.
What does BASE Range mean?
BASE stands for Basic Aesthetic for Sustainable Easywear, which is an overview of what we do. Range was to make it more of a brand name, but also because we want to make a wide range of garments.
What is most important to you when creating undergarments?
It's essential that the woman wearing it can be comfortable in her undergarments. So, our cuts are very simple with very little trim, and made of soft and natural fabrics. We want it to create a feeling of a second layer, rather than a product.
How do you want women to feel when they wear BASE Range?
Just as their own self. We put our heart into the pieces we make, and our clothing choices become an interface through which we communicate our values and desires. We don't believe in making clothes that carry specific signifiers, labels, or symbols, so it creates more freedom and choice for the woman wearing it.
Why is it important that your garments are natural?
Trying to find the best sustainable solutions is the most contemporary way of producing today, even if it sometimes makes the process a little slower. We were both brought up thinking that serious business meant being tough, hard, and fast, but today, I think more people are recognizing that as an illusory goal. Instead, we are drawn to what is real, and we would love if production took on a more human approach.
How do you source your fabrics?
We work with factories in Turkey and Portugal for production, and they are making their own beautiful fabrics. We bring our ideas to them and develop the season's materials together. It's important for us to do that, because we aim to be 100% sustainable.
Your factory in Portugal is very close to Toulouse, where Blandine lives. Are you close to the staff there?
Yes, we have a very dear relationship. They educate us, and show us their techniques, skills, and even just who they are as people. We don't push them to do what we want, but instead find solutions that mix our ideas with their skills.
Let's talk about the current collection. How did you create swimwear without synthetic materials?
We try and find new ways of using cotton that can allow for different surfaces and st