Woven into each by Aylin Koenig garment is an Italian story of craft — one that’s guided by enduring quality and infused with a love for ageless design.
by Aylin Koenig was founded by Hamburg-based fashion blogger and style icon, Aylin Freund. Since launching the label in 2018, Aylin has focused on creating characteristic yet versatile garments that are informed by timelessness and a deep appreciation for Italian craft. Each by Aylin Koenig item is handmade in Italy with a sustainable mindset that centers on slow production and natural, long-lasting materials. The collections are meticulously refined to reflect Aylin’s belief that style can transcend trends and seasons, with designs flexible enough to be worn in any setting — be it the city or the seaside.
To get a better understanding of how each by Aylin Koenig garment is created, I spoke with Nisa Tosun — Nisa works in daily unison with Aylin, carefully managing the development and production of each collection. Keep scrolling to read the full interview…
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Explore The Collection — by Aylin Koenig
Featured in this post, AMORE Dress in Sand
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This post was written in collaboration with by Aylin Koenig
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An Interview with Nisa Tosun
Head of Sourcing, Buying & Production, by Aylin Koenig
Q: Where did by Aylin Koenig’s connection to Italy begin, and what do you love most about the producers you work with there?
“Producing in Italy has always been the goal of the brand by Aylin Koenig and when I joined the team I also brought in my Italian contacts. We love that most of our productions are traditional family businesses who exist for several generations and are still in family hand. It is really amazing when your contact person’s last name is also the name of the company you work with.”
Interview Continues Below…
Q: What is the driving inspiration behind each by Aylin Koenig collection? When do you decide to put a new piece into production?
“For us it is essential that our products can be worn for more than just one season, which is why our designs are timeless yet contemporary. The creative force behind every style is Aylin herself. Aylin loves the balance between the urban city life and getaways in nature. This also reflects in our collection as every piece is suitable for many occasions from a day at the beach to a city stroll. We are always thinking of strong designs that make us and our customers feel empowered and absolutely beautiful in the by Aylin Koenig pieces. If a sample gives us that feel we go for it.”
Q: The weight and texture of the linen is absolutely perfect — from where are you sourcing your linens, and what’s the process like when sourcing new fabrics?
“Thank you, we always put a lot of thought into the choice of our fabrics as it not only determines the look and handfeel of a style but also its durability. When we source fabrics we always try to find natural materials from European fabric suppliers who we acquire together with our production facilities or directly through fabric fairs. Finding the perfect fabric can take quite some time and we even had to put styles on hold because we couldn’t find the right fabric. For us it is more important to make the right fabric choice than launching a product that we are not 100% happy with.”
Q: The detailing of each garment is so well tailored and thoughtful. How is by Aylin Koenig working with the producer to define these details? And how long does it normally take to refine an item to its finished form?
“For every style we prepare very detailed tech packs for our producers. They contain detailed information of each product, such as a technical sketch, the fabric, buttons, measurements as well as technical specifications on how to do the workmanship. An unequivocal tech pack and constant communication can save you a lot of development time and sampling costs. Additionally we are working very closely with our producers and are in contact with them every day through phone calls, video conferences and e-mails. Like that our productions get a very good understanding of our ideas and already deliver very strong prototypes. From the idea to the delivery it can take from 2 to 6 months, but it really depends on the product.”
Q: In the months to come, by Aylin Koenig plans to step into the world of ceramics. Where did this connection begin, and how did you find the Portuguese atelier who will make the brand’s ceramics?
“Honestly, by chance through online research. Doing home ware and ceramics has always been a dream of Aylin, as she is not only famous for her fashion style but also for her interior taste. We’ve been searching for artisan manufacturers and found an amazing family business which was exactly what we were looking for.”
This post was written in collaboration with by Aylin Koenig
AD / Gifted Product
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