“Wearing it should be like that first sip of champagne”: Ida Sjöstedt on her lingerie collaboration with Understatement

Dressing up is an art form, and none are more aware of this than Swedish designer Ida Sjöstedt. “‘The Art of Dressing up’ was the name of my pre-spring 2022 collection, which I used as a foundation when designing the underwear,” she says. Designed in the depths of the pandemic, Sjöstedt wanted her pre-spring line to embody the longing to go out.

“The thought behind the collection was that every garment would be proper eye-candy. Wearing it should be like taking that first sip of champagne or those first steps onto the dance floor under a shiny disco ball,” Sjöstedt explains. “I wanted to capture that same feeling in the underwear collection.”

“There are many similarities between mine and Understatement’s aesthetics, so it was effortless to work together,” Sjöstedt continues. “The lace and the sheer fabrics are a natural part of both of our design universes, for example.”

Maria Lager, one of the co-founders of Understatement Underwear, agrees. “We are both incredibly focused on materials and on creating products that last,” she says. “And we have a vision to make everyday life a little bit more glamorous and enjoyable through our designs.” The two parties have now joined forces to release seven new stunning underwear styles.

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Together with Marie Stolt, Lager founded Understatement underwear with a vision to transform an everyday essential into something enjoyable. By destigmatising underwear, designing lingerie that is comfortable and beautiful, they want to celebrate women of all shapes and sizes. “We want our underwear to be seen. Lace that peeks out from underneath a blazer, design details like two delicate straps, or innovative material combinations,” says Lager. “It’s important to feel like you look nice,” she says, “from the inside and out.”

Ida Sjöstedt’s pre-spring collection – an ode to occasion wear in its effusive frills, sparkly detailing, and Sjöstedt’s signature floral 3D appliqués – is mirrored in the new collaboration. “The lingerie collection actually emanated from the fabrics of my RTW collection, as we used the leftover fabric.” The same techniques and fabrics are reworked from statement blouses and dramatic dresses into lavish lingerie.

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Usually, she only orders a couple of metres of extra fabric when producing her collection, Sjöstedt tells me. Unfortunately, this means that the leftovers are hard to use. “That’s why I was so thankful and it was so fun to create underwear, as it doesn’t require as much fabric,” she says. As a result, some of the pieces from the collaboration uses unconventional fabrics. “Some of my favourites are the set in silver leo, and the bra in our signature rose appliqué – It could just as well be worn as a top for a night out as a bra.”

“It’s been an incredible journey working with Ida on this. It’s exciting to see how our aesthetics came together and merged,” says Lager. The resulting collection is every bit the celebratory occasion wear the designers set out to create, and who knows – maybe there are more collaborations in the pipeline? “I hope so. There’s a lot to develop here. Maybe a bridal collection?” ponders Lager.

Consisting of seven styles, the collection is available today exclusively on shopunderstatement.com