PROFILE: Sonata Rapalyte
I’m Sonata Rapalyte and have been the designer for Sonata Lingerie since 2008.
I first picked up a needle and thread at the tender age of seven. I always knew where my passion lay, but really came into my own when I moved to London and worked for a string of lingerie designers including Damaris (2001 – 2006), with whom I launched the first ever Damaris collection. Living and working in London for a number of years I realised there was a market for beautiful, luxurious lingerie. With ambition, I decided to create my own lingerie line.
What inspired you to become a lingerie designer?
Born in Lithuania, I started my love affair with beautiful fabrics when I was just a small child, dancing around my mother’s bedroom – whilst dressing up in lavish dresses – “It made me feel pretty and… happy…”
In later years, when I moved to London, I worked for famous London designers and understood there was a gap in the industry for beautiful lingerie.
A while ago I was travelling in Sardinia and just wanted to make women look beautiful wearing my bikinis!…once again, I saw there was gap in the industry!
What makes your designs different from others?
When I make my designs, it’s made with love, care and perfection. I make things that makes me happy and know would make others happy too. Furthermore, all our lingerie is made to order and can be tailored to anyone’s needs. My lingerie is truly unique and original. I use silks and linen, Swarovsky crystals and amber and every piece is made by hand to make every women feel fabulous!
Do you wear your own products?
Oh yes!
What’s your favourite lingerie brand (not your own!) and why?
Victoria secrets – I just love the fitting.
Do you think there’s enough choice for D+ sizes?
Personally I don’t think there’s enough. I hope in the near future to create a collection especially for D+ sizes and make them happy with Sonata designs. We do however make all our lingerie to order and can happily tailor to everyone’s needs!
Are you happy with the way lingerie is sized? If not what changes would you like to see?
I’m happy with the way it’s sized. It’s been around for so many decades, that a change in the sizing would just confuse everyone!
What advice would to give to an aspiring lingerie/swimwear designer?
As cliché as this may sound (!) – never give up on your dreams. My dream started when I was only 7 years old and I held on to that dream and made it a reality.
How do you get your inspirations for new collections?
As silly as this may sound, I get a lot of my inspiration from shoes! There are so many fabulous designs these days, they make for the perfect lingerie designs!
Do you use paper and pencil to design your first draft or is it all done on computer?
No, I work directly on the fabric. My drawing skills aren’t too good (!), so I visualize what I want and then do it!
What would you be doing if you weren’t a designer?
I’ve never thought of anything else I would like to do…maybe a lady of leisure!
What are you working on right now?
SS11 collection
What makes a great lingerie model?
Nice curves and nice breasts of course!
Available to buy online, visit the website for a list of stockists.
Category: Designer Profile, Featured
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