Cindy Bruna

Born in 1994 in Saint-Raphaël, in the Var region of France, to an Italian father and a Congolese mother, Cindy was quickly noticed, beginning her modeling career at a very young age. Modeling exclusively for Calvin Klein, she was the first black model to grace the catwalk for the famous label. Subsequently she joined the renowned Victoria's Secret show, where she remained for six years. With eminent designers taking an interest in her she found herself propelled into the exclusive circle of Top Models, walking the shows in Paris, New York, London and Milan, before being chosen as the face of L'Oréal Paris  and becoming actively involved in supporting women, including through the publication of her book "The day I stopped being afraid”.

Cindy, from the angel wings of Victoria's Secret to being involved with Solidarité Femmes: two seemingly opposing worlds. What memories do you have of a time that's forever gone?I have some incredible memories of that show. I was lucky enough to do the catwalks for the brand for six consecutive years alongside some very inspiring women, and to meet some of the greatest artists, including Lady Gaga, The Weekend, Taylor Swift and Rihanna. In those amazing years, Victoria's Secret was the most-watched fashion show in the world which quickly propelled me onto the international stage.
Since then there have been a number of scandals leading to the uprise of the "me too" movement, leading to the demise of the famous show and the image of women as dolls and objects of desire...Personally, I have never seen myself as a doll, but maybe at the time we were stuck with that image of the female model, however that is no longer the case. Social networking, among other things, has helped us extensively in this respect. We now have the opportunity to speak out, to be as close as possible to our audience, to express ourselves, to reveal ourselves. We need to understand that behind every magazine campaign or ‘image’ there is a woman, with her own story and her uniqueness.

Do you wear pajamas?Yes, I love them and my pajamas are in keeping with the season. When the festive season approaches, it's all about the Christmas pajama and trouser set. I love having a little matching set for the holidays, feeling comfortable, plus when it's cold outside I like to wear something really cozy. Other times I prefer to be more sexy, so I might wear a short nightdress, it really depends on how I'm feeling.
Where do you buy your lingerie?In boutiques, because I like to see the product, touch it, try it on and feel the fabric. I know that many purchases are made online, but I prefer to see the lingerie in person! 
What criteria do you use when choosing lingerie?I pay great attention to the nobility of the materials and their quality. That's really the most important aspect for me. Then, when I try it on, I immediately understand whether it is right or not. I need to feel perfectly comfortable and to think I look good in it.
Do you read product labels?Yes, I do, increasingly.
What made you want to work with Aubade?When Aubade came to me and suggested this collaboration, the answer was obvious. The brand has always run in my family. Starting with my mum, then my sister, and myself. I would see my mum wearing their lingerie with a lot of confidence and elegance, and I envied her collection for a very long time, before finally being able to afford it. Aubade is a brand that I wear and love.
Tell us about the project. What part of the process did you find most interesting? I would say it was the creative work and the exchanges with Aubade creative team, as well as with my own team. My designer Mickael Carpin was alongside me. We worked on every stage together, from the design to production. It was very interesting to discover each fabric, to define and design each piece, choose the fabrics, cuts, patterns and colors. I came up with 'moodboards', with visuals that we reinterpreted. What I enjoyed most was the creative teamwork and exchanging opinions. It's extremely gratifying to see the first prototypes after several months' work, although the product is not quite finished and still needs a few adjustments. It's a job that takes you right to the finish line. I particularly enjoyed working on the small details. It's incredible to start with a moodboard and see the collection come to life over the months.
Did you imagine that creating a bra could be so complicated?There were a lot of technicalities which I didn't know about and which thanks to this collaboration I was lucky enough to learn about. In particular I discovered there are more than twenty pieces in a bra, and more than 5 different materials: mesh, embroidery, tulle... I appreciated being able to create a collection using French materials and to add jewels to enhance the line. I didn't realize that designing a bra was so sophisticated, requiring several fittings to check that it fits properly. It's hard work combining aesthetics and comfort. And I think we succeeded!In what way does this capsule represent your style?I suggested a moodboard based on nature and its undulations, the movement of the waves, the sand, tree bark, wood grooves... The way nature is in constant movement is what makes each element unique: no wave is the same as the one that precedes or follows it, a tree trunk isn’t the same as one next to it and so on... For me, this is akin to the female body, no two bodies are alike and I found the parallel extremely interesting. There were similarities between the undulations we started with and what we can wrongly call imperfections of the human body. In particular, stretch marks, those little blemishes which make us unique and magnificent women, marked by our life experiences as women and mothers, I find them sublime. I wanted a timeless, modern collection that could be worn as one wishes, with a layering effect combining transparency and opacity. I found great pleasure in reinterpreting lingerie just as I do in my everyday life, giving it a place in our wardrobes so that it can be worn day or night, in plain view or under a blouse.
And the choice of colors?Black was an obvious choice, as I wear it often in everyday life. On the other hand blue it is my favorite color and I chose Imperial Blue, which I think is wonderful.
A few words about the collection?I wanted a multifaceted collection. It is very daring and striking, designed to be enjoyed by the women wearing it, who should have fun with it and make it their own.
Do you have a favorite style from your capsule?The bodysuit is amazing, it's one of my favorite pieces. The bustier is superb too, and can be worn with a pair of pants. The bra in matt mesh is very sophisticated, and the transparent bodice pieces give it a veiled unveiled look, which is very fashionable. One very exceptional piece I really like is the embroidered catsuit, it’s a compelling and remarkable garment.
Is this the start of a new career as a designer ?I must say I loved the experience and I think it’s just the beginning.

CINDY BRUNA X AUBADEThe Sumptuous Wave collection includes six tops and three bottoms, plus two garter belts and a bodysuit. The capsule is completed by Midnight Storm, with a thin strapless top, a long dress and a bodysuit.With a subtle play on transparency, opacity and contrast, the collection is a graphic, modern statement.The range is available in two colors: "SMOKY ATTRACTION", a mysterious, bewitching black, and "IMPERIAL BLUE", a majestic, elegant blue.The Cindy Bruna x AUBADE collection will be available in AUBADE boutiques, selected multi-brand stores, department stores and on the brand's website from June 2024.