Dessous

Sophie Simmons was born in Paris and grew up there and in London. Sophie Simmons’s “Dessous” was inspired by the feminine style of her grandmother and mother. The camisoles they wore when Sophie was a child growing up in Paris were delicate and beautifully embroidered, yet comfortable enough to wear inside and outside the bedroom.
As an adult, Sophie inherited from her mother what she called “dessous” – French for “under pieces.” They became an essential part of her wardrobe because of their nostalgic femininity. Traveling to the original store in Switzerland where her grandmother used to purchase camisoles while on “cures,” she discovered that the intricate embroidered lingerie she loved so dearly was no longer produced.

Back in New York, she decided to create a collection of pieces inspired by her grandmother’s and mothers “dessous” that she and her stylish friends coveted. Looking for the perfect image to translate into embroidery, she happened upon a vintage Japanese calendar. The delicate peonies she found in it became the silk embroidery she placed on fine Italian cottons to produce a collection of bras, camisoles, chemises, panties, shorts and tees. Peeking out from under a sweater or on their own, Sophie believes “Dessous” should be a part of every woman’s wardrobe.