Earlier this week, we gave you a megahot glimpse into Nycked, the upcoming swimwear collaboration between Marc Jacobs’s beau, Lorenzo Martone, and jewelry designer Jules Kim.
We’ve been fans of the Bijules designer’s eclectic vision for a while, so we caught up with her on the eve of the duo’s Saks meeting to discuss their foray into swimwear. The twenty-style line is divided into three categories, she says: Tux, which includes formalwear elements (“the 4 a.m. post-gala look”); Boudoir, inspired by lingerie and apartment furnishings (“curtain drapings, wallpaper designs”); and Design, which was influenced by New York architecture (“exposed brick, demolished buildings, and scaffolding”). Read on for Kim’s take on the “Victoria’s Secret conundrum,” her friendship with Martone, and the pair’s future plans for the Nycked brand.
How did you get involved with Lorenzo?
I launched a four-piece lingerie collection for fall/winter 2009, and Lorenzo was like, Holy shit, that’s really cute. From there, he wanted to create a swimwear line. He called me on a Saturday and said, “Hi, this is Lorenzo, I have a project to discuss.” We met the following Sunday and he gave me this great little presentation. He’s just a passionate person and a sweetheart to the core. We shared an instant camaraderie.
Were you at all apprehensive about collaborating?
I told him, “Just to let you know, Bijules will always be Bijules — that shit will never be left in the dust.”
Why swimwear?
Well, Lorenzo’s Brazilian, so he was raised in swimwear, like a little baby in a thong. But we also felt that swimwear has become so formulaic. We wanted to do a fashion-based, lifestyle swimwear brand.
What’s lifestyle swimwear?
We don’t necessarily have beaches in Manhattan, so we create the beach experience on a rooftop or on the West Side highway. We’re New Yorkers: Whenever we’re outside, hanging with friends, and wearing barely anything, that’s what we call our beach.
A sequined suit from Nycked.Photo courtesy of Nycked.