AUGUST 2018 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 47
FASHION
IMPISH LEE:
INSPIRING WOMEN DESIGNERS
By RUTH BASHINSKY
Meet the Ventresca sisters of Sea
Cliff. Noelle is the visionary. Kali is
the perfectionist. And their intimate
apparel brand, Impish Lee, is taking
lingerie and loungewear to a whole
new level.
Their online customization tool
that is user-friendly, convenient
and fun to use, enables women of all
shapes and sizes to design lingerie
based on their body measurements
to reflect their individualized style
and taste. Sizes range from size 0 to
30 and bra sizes are 28A up to 44J
with custom sizing available, all at a
ready-to-wear price point.
“We offer the largest size range of
a single brand in our industry,” says
Kali. “We have trillions of possible
designs that can be created, with
50-plus fabrics to customize so you
can be true to your own aesthetic.
No other brands are allowing you
to do the same thing, in a store or
otherwise.”
In addition to getting a perfect fit,
women can choose from an assortment
of different lining colors to
match their skin tone and luxurious
fabrics, trims, and finishes.
“We believe that since our customers
know themselves better than we
do, it is imperative to include them in
the design process,” says Noelle.
The sisters, who enjoy working
together so much that have been described
as “inseparable,” stay on the
pulse of the ever-changing industry.
Two to three times a year they release
a new collection that features unique
designs, color combinations, and
fabrics.
“While every design is customizable,
we like to inspire so that
the process of designing their own
apparel is easier,” says Kali. “We
hope to encourage women to design
garments they will love forever.”
Being environmentally conscious
is very important to the duo. Their
company focuses on sustainability
and ethical practices. They support
the local economy by having their
manufacturing facility in Sea Cliff.
Currently, the pair is gearing up
for their next venture, a custom
swimwear line that will launch in
2019 — not too shabby for a company
that grew organically in 2012, when
they started building their boutique
lingerie brand on Etsy. Their handmade
designs caught the attention
of retailer Urban Outfitters. In 2015,
they moved from Etsy to their own
site that later evolved into a fully
customizable intimate apparel brand.
Their initial investment was
$45,000, including a $15,000 Kickstarter
campaign that included
investments from family and friends
that went toward the purchase of
equipment and software development
tools. Today, Impish Lee continues
to thrive.
For the last year, they have been
working with Consortium, a specialized
retailer for customer fashion
brands for men and women featuring
bespoke shirts, accessories, shoes,
watches, fragrance, jewelry and
more. Impish Lee has been participating
in their 12-city pop-up tour.
Their first stops were Las Vegas and
Chicago and now they are in New
York with a pop-up store in Soho that
is open through Sept. 1.
“Bringing fashion and accessory
brands together to showcase a different
way of shopping that is sustainable,
ethical, with each product
made exclusively for the consumer,
is a huge feat, and so greatly needed
in our current world of fashion,” says
Kali. “We had to be involved.”
Currently, Impish Lee is sold
exclusively on their website at
ImpishLee.com or with Custom
Consortium, with no plans of opening
up a retail location just yet.
“We want to remain lean in our early
growth,” says Kali, “though we are
certainly not opposed to a physical
location at some point down the line.”
Left to right are Kali Ventresca Owner/CCO and Noelle Ventresca
Owner/CEO.
The Lena Long Robe (peach mesh)
with the Aïssata Jumper (coral
mesh)
From left to right: The Claudia Long Slip (black bohemian lace),
Antoinette Strappy Sweetheart Bralette (white bohemian lace) with
Antoinette Thong Panty (white bohemian lace), Svana Triangle Bralette
(black bohemian lace) with Svana Highwaist Garter Belt (black
bohemian lace) and Svana Highwaist Panty (coral mesh).
The Amara Long Slip in wine
mesh.