The Black Ruffle Top. Two Fabrics, one story

There are some pieces that come together quite naturally.
The Black Ruffle Top is one of them. We have previous made different versions of our lovely Ruffle Top, so the design-part was easy – it is the fabric that talk.

A black and white fashion photograph of a model standing outdoors by a stone fountain, wearing a white shirt, a striped black top with thin straps, and light-colored wide-leg trousers. Trees and a stone wall are visible in the background.

So many of the things I love about KRISTINE ELINE came together in this one piece: the romance of ruffles, the versatility of black, the small details that make a garment feel special, and most importantly, the opportunity to work with materials that already existed.

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A black fabric with shine

For this version of the top, one of the fabrics is a black cotton satin. It has a subtle shine and a soft, smooth finish that gives the top a slightly more elevated feel without becoming too formal.

When I first found it, there were only 3.5 metres available. That is not a lot of fabric - but somehow, that is also the point.

There was enough to create something from it, so the question became: What can we make with what we have?

I really enjoy that part of the process. Seeing a fabric, feeling its weight and drape, and then trying to understand what kind of garment it could become.

Sometimes I have a very clear idea of what I am looking for. Something black, perhaps lightweight, perhaps with a little shine. But when working with deadstock, I also have to accept that I might not find exactly what I imagined.

And that is where the design process becomes more interesting.

The material gets a voice.

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Upcycled trousers from previous production

The second fabric used for The Black Ruffle Top has an entirely different story.

It actually comes from the very first KRISTINE ELINE collection.

When we started the company in 2019, we produced our first collection in what we thought was the traditional way. Among other things, we experienced production errors and fit issues that meant that parts of the collection could not be sold as intended.

Some of the trousers from that collection were cut apart and transformed into Quilted Wash Bags. That was one of the first moments where we really started to understand that perhaps the traditional way of producing clothing was not the right way for us.

And now, several years later, some of those same trousers have found their way into The Black Ruffle Top.

The original fabric is black Lyocell twill, from Portugal, made with distinctive decorative white chain stitching. Rather than removing that stitching, we decided to preserve it and make it part of the new garment.

So when you see the vertical white details on one side of the top, you are actually looking at part of our own history.

I think there is something quite special about that.

 

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Two sides – A reversible piece

The two fabrics also became the reason the top is reversible. One side is completely black and more minimal. The other has the distinctive vertical white chain stitching, giving it a slightly more romantic and detailed expression.

I wanted the piece to have this duality.

I don't think we dress exactly the same way every day. Sometimes I want something very simple. Other days, I want the details to be noticed.

The Black Ruffle Top allows for both.

The ruffles bring the femininity I naturally work towards, while the black keeps it grounded. The adjustable and detachable ribbons are another detail I really love and that defines KRISTINE ELINE

A woman outdoors wearing a white and black vertically striped long-sleeve button-up shirt layered under a black ruffled top with thin black straps, paired with beige pants.

Why this way of working matters to us

For us, the value lies in starting with something that already exists. There is already so much beautiful material in the world. This way of working naturally keeps our quantities limited.

For our Black Ruffle Top we could produce only 6 pieces in total.

It means that not everyone will be able to own the exact same piece. It creates a sense of scarcity, but also a sense of connection.

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A black and white fashion photograph of a model standing outdoors by a stone fountain, wearing a white shirt, a striped black top with thin straps, and light-colored wide-leg trousers. Trees and a stone wall are visible in the background.

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