Bristols 6 Launches Niks

Los Angeles–based Danielle Beck and Christine Benidt proclaim themselves to be untraditional when it comes to underpinnings. In 2002, the friends started Bristols 6, which makes lace, animal print and sparkly fabricated nipple covers in hearts, stars and butterfly shapes.

Bristols 6 delves deeper into the innerwear market with the launch of Niks, a line of tops, soft bras, shorts and panties with a ready-to-wear twist.

“I’ve never really been a traditional lingerie person, and I really like the idea of making lingerie pieces or intimate pieces that look like clothing rather than looking like lingerie,” Benidt said. “I really want the pieces where if they’re seen, it’s not like, ’I’m looking at your bra.’ I want it to be, ’I’m looking at this cool top that you’re wearing.’”

Benidt employs some elements of standard bra construction into the bandeau tops and bralettes such as invisible underwires, moldable pads and cup seaming, which offer support without feeling restricting.

The tops are cut lower in the armholes and the neckline so that the bralettes peek out from underneath. Novelty MicroModal jerseys, knit jacquards fabrics and sheer fabrics with lots of texture give a racerback tank an extra jolt so that “it’s not your average wife-beater rib,” Benidt said. “It’s really all about the fabrics and doing basic cuts that everyone loves to wear.”

Wholesale price points range from $19 to $30 for tops and $7 for panty bottoms. For more information, call (310) 450-2202.—Rhea Cortado