Tastemaker: Rachel Avery

If the thought of getting into a bathing suit has been keeping you from enjoying the summer, you’re in serious need of meeting the amazing Rachel Avery. She’s the founder and owner of Kalloné Intimi, a swimwear and lingerie store featuring garments hand-selected by Avery herself for their high-quality, form-flattering construction – not just because of their label. With locations in Toronto (309 Queen Street West) and Woodbridge (110 Windflower Gate), Avery has revolutionized the swimsuit shopping experience and has built a staff of experts-on-hand who are ready to help customers of all body types find a new bathing suit, bra or bikini that makes the most of their figures. We caught up with Avery to get her best bathing suit tips for different body types, and to get the rundown on summer 2014’s hottest styles…

Tell us a bit about yourself. What should people know?
I come from a family of entrepreneurs so starting my own business was always something I had wanted to do. I started Kalloné because I have always found it difficult to find bras and swimwear that fit me properly. Being 28-inches around for a long time (I have finally grown to a 30!) I couldn’t shop at the mass market lingerie stores where my friends did because they didn’t have my size. Instead I would have to go to stores that targeted a much older demographic to find proper fitting garments. I realized that I was not the only one with these issues and that there was a lack of quality stores that focused on fitting a younger demographic.

What would you say are women’s (of all sizes) biggest concerns when shopping for swimsuits and lingerie?
All women want something that makes them feel beautiful and confident – they also want to feel comfortable when searching for these items. We carry items for every shape and size and cater to women with an understanding that we work in a very personal field. Making sure our customers are completely comfortable in our store is one of our main goals.

When it comes to swimwear, every women has different needs. What is it about your customers’ needs that you and your staff address in a unique and helpful way at Kalloné Intimi?
We do a bit of everything. We do get measurements of customers as this really helps with fitting bra-sized swimwear which is hard to find. We allow mixing and matching of tops and bottoms – it is very rare that a customer leaves with the same size top as the bottom. Finally, our staff has a lot of experience with the items we carry so they have a knack for knowing what flatters certain body types.

What are some of the most sought after lingerie lines in your store and why?
Simone Perele and Empreinte are our two lines from France. They exude luxury and once a customer experiences the quality of the pieces they fall in love. Recently, Simone Perele launched a sister line called Implicite. It’s the epitome of Femme Fatale, and there hasn’t been one person who has tried it on and not purchased. Love Haus (the new line of lingerie by Beach Bunny Swimwear) is also a huge seller. At a lower price point, ladies of all ages are clearing it from our shelves!

What about swimwear?
Many of the brands we carry were featured in Sports Illustrated this year. Some of the notable swimsuits, such as the flamingo one-piece by Peixoto (as seen on Kate Upton), have had to be re-ordered numerous times. There’s also been a huge demand for retro style suits, and Nicolita has mastered it. With a sexy Cuban flare, the brand has created the perfect bottom to make any booty look incredible.

What are some great tips for bigger busted women shopping for lingerie and swimwear?
Accept your size. A lot of women freak out when they hear that they are anything bigger than a D-cup. You need to embrace your size and work from there to find things that fit you properly. Finding a bra that fits right can change how everything else looks on your body. Trying to squeeze into something will not only be extremely uncomfortable, it will not flatter your body. If it really bothers you we will cut out the tags so you can pretend you are whatever size you want to be!

What about smaller busted women?
Same goes for them! Accept your size! We’ve brought in companies like The Little Bra Company to give smaller chested women a chance to find sexy lingerie that will fit properly. No more gaping, and no more training bras! We also carry inserts for every aspect of life – we even have a set that can be worn in the water.

What are great ways to make a boy-like body seem curvier?
One-pieces are very stylish right now – especially those with a sexy twist. A one-piece with side cut-outs will help create the illusion of an hour-glass figure. Also, anything with detailing often adds a little more oomph so consider a ruffle or a keyhole cut-out to create the illusion of a curvier bod.

What are some great ways to make a fuller figure seem slimmer?
Its all about the optical illusions! Opt for deep v-neck lines, side tie or retro fit bottoms, and always stay away from those pesky horizontal stripes! You want to feel comfortable in whatever you’re wearing, so if showing too much skin isn’t your thing check out the amazing selection of tankinis that are on the market now. Ensure its supportive and of good quality (like our molded tankinis by Sunsets) so that the girls are in place, leaving your waistline looking sexy and slim. Lastly, don’t be afraid to try something new.

What are some of your favourite items in Kalloné Intimi for summer 2014, lingerie and/or swimwear?
I am personally obsessed with the Flamingo by Peixoto – it seems to be the swimsuit of the summer! It was featured on Khloe Kardashian on the cover of Cosmopolitan in April and in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition on the beautiful Kate Upton. I love that it can be worn as a swimsuit or as street wear as a shirt.

For lingerie, I currently live in my Commando undies and my Between the Sheets robes. Its all about comfort for me. I am also loving the new Pretty Polly lingerie collection – the fun patterns are great for summer!

What are your favourite spots in Toronto to catch a little sun in the summertime?
I am very new to Toronto, so this is a bit of a tough question. I love hanging out on patios downtown – my favourite right now is The Porch. When I get the chance I like to fly back to Sault Ste. Marie to spend some time lounging by the lake at my family’s home

Let’s get social. How do we stay up to date with you?
To stay up to date with the company visit kallone.ca. Kallone is also on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. To stay up to date with me personally, follow me on Twitter and Instagram.