Cheeky Mieks Knickers bootylicious
A STELLENBOSCH sculpture graduate has turned her artistic eye to designing flirtatious and original underwear, sewn from the outbuildings of an Eastern Cape farm.
Mieks Knickers is a line of limited edition lingerie, each piece created by Mieke van de Water on her family’s farm overlooking the Bokness River, just outside Kenton. She says the fresh and feminine line of undies is aimed at “the joy of indulging in a little cheeky fun”.
Armed with an honours degree in fine art but no formal fashion training, Van de Water launched her label six years ago saying “it just happened!” when she returned from several years of travel abroad and could not find the cute combos she had enjoyed wearing while in Europe.
“I loved the underwear that you can get there and there was one cut that looked easy to work with so I tried it. I’d never sewn before but it worked out,” she said of the panties, bras and slips in the range.
“Most of my fabrics are cotton and lycra, along with lace and mesh but I also use stretch suede, it’s an awesome fabric and it works so well, you can wash it ‘ stukkend’!” To her surprise, Mieks Knickers took off like a rocket.
“My brother wanted me to make his girlfriend some for Christmas and then his girlfriend wanted for friends and then someone said I should sell to a store.
“I was so terrified the first time that I approached a shop as I only had that one cut, and one pattern.”
Fortunately, she managed to acquire a set of French lingerie patterns from a Cape Town outlet which was closing down and today she supplies boutiques “all over”. Van de Water sells her range through retail outlets in Kenton, Port Alfred, Plettenberg Bay as well as in the major cities.
“I must get into PE but it’s just me and a seamstress, so I need to get another person in; this time of year is crazy!”
Mieks Knickers has built up a strong clientele, many of who shop on her website: “most of those who buy online have already bought from me before as my fits are true-to-size, and I make to order,” she says.
This means that if, for example, you would like an item personalised, perhaps a larger size cup on a medium size slip, she can adapt the pattern to fit.
She also is making boxer shorts and hopes to expand her sleepwear offerings.