Revealed Magazine Summer 2024 final - Flipbook - Page 33
Clean Underwear
Chosenwoven
BY ROXANNE ROBINSON
The idea of wool underwear doesn't scream “smooth comfort” at 昀椀rst thought.
Blending Merino wool
with Tencel creates
a fabric that is silky
smooth, antimicrobial
and sustainable
But the designers behind Chosenwoven are here to prove otherwise.
Blending Merino wool with Tencel creates
that weren't benef icial somehow,”
new materials using clean 昀椀bers," adds
a fabric that is silky smooth, antimicrobial
explains Botkier. “I wasn't happy with the
Botkier. The self-funded company is
and sustainable—perfect for a collection
state of intimates in terms of wellness,
poised to earn Certi昀椀ed B corporation
of bras and panties.
comfort, sustainability and sexiness.”
status as the company matures.
a re
Knowing her friend ’s
surprised about how
expertise, she suspected
it
e x p lains
the partnership would
Olga Kapustina, who
reap rewards. “I thought,
created the company
'Why not join forces to do
with longtime friend
something good for our
Monica Botkier. The
bodies and the planet
knit ting
technique
that is design-focused,
昀椀bers, used to make Tencel is subjected
used to blend Merino
good looking and sexy?’"
to a chemical process during its creation,
and Tercel “allows the
Botkier recalls.
but not the heavy-duty culprits such as
“Most
people
fe e l s ,”
While the market for intimates made
solely from Merino wool and Tencel might
be niche, the duo sees the potential as
consumers become more savvy about
the chemicals used in clothing. (It's
key to note that the cellulose, or wood
formaldehyde.)
skin to breathe,” she
adds. And, “it has a low
A f ter
carbon footprint.”
year in development,
Chosenwoven is spreading the word
Chosenwoven launched
about its healthy lingerie through
in 2023 with a direct-
pop -ups with like-minded brands.
The t wo par tnered
dur ing
t he
force d
lull of the pandemic
which coincided with
a
crossroads
for
each. Botkier sold her
names ake
brand
handbag
and
was
“There is a
huge opportunity
to develop
new materials
using clean fibers.”
Monica Botkier
CO-FOUNDER
more
to - consumer
t han
a
model.
Chosenwoven
bras
are
with
about
$128
underwear ranging from
$68-$108.
The star tup is equally
contemplating her next move. Kapustina
challenged with brand recognition but
pivoted out of her own fashion brand by
also with educating consumers on its
getting a degree in bioengineering. She
virtues.
became a member of the faculty focused
Thus far, they've partnered with Lingua
Franca, M. Patmos by Marcia Patmos and
The Well holistic wellness center, among
others.
Ultimately, the collection will expand to
include men's underwear, swimwear,
athleisure and even kids' undergarments.
Kapustina’s enthuses: “At the end of
on sustainability at Parsons School of
"The movement for cleaner living is big
the day, nothing beats nature; It's been
Design.
in food, beauty and cleaning products.
perfected over millennia, so if you
We expect it to translate into clothing.
manipulate it correctly, it does amazing
There is a huge opportunity to develop
things."
"I knew I couldn't make more products
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