Q&A with Lelelê Intimates, an organically-sourced cotton underwear brand.

Lelelê is a female-owned underwear brand operating on Instagram. Their undies are made from Peruvian organic cotton - one of the softest materials out there - to make your experience of wearing them the best it can be. Their design is simple and cute, perfect for an everyday wear. They also have chosen a medium coverage so if thongs or full coverage aren’t your thing Lelelê is the perfect compromise!

In this interview, we talked about the design of their underwear, future collections, the making of Lelelê underwear and heaps more!

Check out their Instagram below:

We would love to know how Lelelê first began!

LELELÊ was born after a period of time with a bunch of UTIs and a lack of cute, good quality, affordable underwear. After doing some research and talking to specialists and friends, I found out that underwear should be one of the most important pieces in anybody’s closet. Some materials trap in heat and moisture, and affect the overall harmony. The material panties are made of can actually prevent a lot of inconveniences and dictate a crucial part of the well-being down there. That’s what motivated me to create LELELÊ.

I wanted to create a brand that provides the perfect everyday brief but also talks openly and honestly about the relevance of choosing the right material for your undies. A big majority of ladies don’t know the effects and consequences synthetic materials can cause. So after doing my research, I decided to produce a capsule collection of underwear using organic Peruvian Pima cotton - a material that is considered to be one of the softest and finest in the world. The fabric is incredibly durable and smooth. 

Is Lelelê a one person show? What is the behind the scenes like within a successful small business like yours?

It kind of is. I own it, design all the pieces, run the Instagram page, organize the shoots and sometimes even model. But the whole production part is made in Lima, Peru with the help of an incredibly small team.

Your branding is eco-friendly underwear - how do you achieve this?

When choosing the right fabric, I chose one that is 95% organic Pima Cotton + 5% Spandex. This blend provides an intimate and incredibly soft, durable, healthy fabric. The organic Pima cotton used is produced in a land free of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and defoliants. We also work with eco-friendly dyes. 

Instagram has millions of small brands - is it hard to differentiate yourselves from other small underwear brands on Instagram?

You’re right. It is - but I believe what makes my brand different is the quality of the products and the whole aesthetic of the project. Besides selling a high quality product, I try to portray some concepts like movement, intimacy and well-being through my content. The images you see on my instagram are not the typical lingerie pictures - they’re very personal and close. 

When creating Lelelê, what vision did you have in mind for the design?

I wanted to create the perfect everyday brief. Something smaller than the conventional underwear, but not as small as a thong. I went for something in between that. For the sides I chose a high quality elastic band that adapts itself to all bodies without squeezing or tightening. The design was inspired in the Brazilian bikinis seen in the 80’s. I wanted something that would make you look and feel good! 

Do you have future plans for your brand? Anything you can share with us?

It started with panties, but this project is a constant evolution, looking for expansion in every single way. I want to keep creating new everyday essentials that promise comfort and design. For this second drop we’ll have panties and bralettes, and we couldn’t be more excited. It will come out before the end of the year. 

As a successful business owner, what are your top tips for not letting things become overwhelming?

I believe being organized and constant are the most important things. I have a schedule and I write down things I need to do as a list. As I complete them, I cross them. Baby steps are still progress and the key is being consistent. Even if it’s only a little, I work everyday. I also try to exercise daily and sleep early. 

And finally, what do you like to do for fun?

I love listening to music, dancing, stretching, being close to the ocean, drawing, watching movies and being with friends/family. Working is fine, but making time to do these things that make you happy is so important too!