Yekaterina

As written by Chekov, everything about a person should be beautiful — face, clothes, soul, thoughts. The way I choose to bring beauty into this world is through the language of fashion and design. 

Yekaterina. The elegantly sexy lace mini dress of dreams. 

My Russian heritage fuels the world of Innasya, bringing depth, culture, and heritage into the world of micro-trends and fast fashion. Innasya was not created to be an impulse purchase label but a brand driven on personal style, self expression, and intentional shopping. Each garment brought to life is made to evoke confidence in the wearer and designed to be clothing that lasts through generations. 

Each Innasya garment carries a Russian name, an ode to my roots. 

Yekaterina

A$550.00

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The Inspiration Behind The Design

A concept that has persisted since the beginning of time — The same appetite that makes a man a conqueror makes a woman a cautionary tale. Yekaterina II of Russia, also known as Catherine the Great was the empress of the Russian Empire from 1762 until her death in 1796. 

The inspiration behind Yekaterina is not her reign, but her death. Following Yekaterina’s passing, her political and geopolitical enemies created smear campaigns designed to label her a ‘slut’. 

The rumours rooted in misogynistic double standards were created to ruin her posthumous reputation fuelled from jealousy of a powerful female ruler highly threatening the male power structure. Yekaterina’s sexual independence — actions deemed conservative for male monarchs — was weaponised against her and designed to diminish her success. 

It’s funny how 300 years on, this same mindset still prevails. 

The details of the Yekaterina dress — the lifted bust, corseted waist, see-through lace, and short hemline — come from the mythology constructed around Yekaterina II of Russia after her death. These features that we have been taught to perceive as provocative, are not intended as an invitation, but as a declaration of reclaiming the narrative of women dressing for their own confidence and empowerment rather than the male gaze. 

Yekaterina • Brought To Life

Lace was once known as the most expensive textile in Europe. The hand-woven, intricate thread detail could only be worked on for a few hours a day due to the brutal eyestrain on artisans' eyes. This made production slow, increasing its value. Historically, it was imported from France and featured in the wardrobes of European aristocrats and seen as a status symbol. 

My Yekaterina dress is crafted from scuba knit fabric with the black lace placed on top by hand maintaining the unbroken pattern across the seams. 

With a wide, shallow scoop, strapless neckline, and hidden bra strap on the inside of the dress, this combination creates a flattering look, lifting the bust. Widening the chest with this neckline opens your body language triggering a psychological shift by sending physical signals to your brain through posture that have been proven to reduce stress hormones and boost feelings of personal power bringing confidence to the wearer. 

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The bodice of the dress is boned front to back cinching the design in at the waist which when paired with the structured flare skirt creates a flattering hourglass figure for the wearer. Rather than your typically uncomfortable heavily lined bodice, the scuba knit lining inside the bodice provides enough cushion to prevent the boning causing discomfort making it a pleasant garment to wear for prolonged periods of time. 

Each dress is finished by hand: a small bead set into the centre of a lace flower, scattered across the skirt and bodice.

Made to Order

Each Innasya garment is made to order in my Sydney studio. With a background in personal styling, I have had the privilege to style many women across the globe. All of different body shapes and sizes which is what ultimately influenced the Innasya size range. Every design is available in size 4-24, I believe everyone deserves to look beautiful no matter your size. 

When selecting your size, inputting your custom measurements is an additional option which allows me to hand make the garment specifically for you. A well-fitted garment boosts your confidence through enclothed cognition creating a psychological phenomenon positively influencing your mental processes and behaviour. 

It is my greatest honour to not only dress the women of today but to create garments that are built on confidence and empowerment.

Love always,

Innasya