An Interview with Jordan Kanegis, founder of Netta

Jordan Kanegis is so effortlessly cool. Not only does she work at a prestigious art gallery, summer in the Hamptons, sometimes get mistaken for Kendall Jenner on Instagram, is followed by Gwyneth Paltrow, and have the nicest personality - she founded Netta, a covetable and highly conscious swimwear line that is ultra-flattering and extra special. I can personally attest to the fact that my Netta V-neck one-piece makes me feel my most confident.

Since its inception last year, Netta has been picked up by some of the most selective retailers, including Goop and, most recently, Moda Operandi. Even with her success, sustainability and limited production remain key pillars to Jordan’s business. It’s rare and inspiring to see the confidence and trust she has in her unique consumer - as you’ll see below, she has a very clear and refreshing understanding of who is buying Netta. This was a key takeaway for me, and something I think is useful for any entrepreneur.

I had the privilege of asking Jordan some questions, and I hope you enjoy the insights she brings to the table!

First, let’s start at the beginning. Who are you, where did you grow up, and what do you do?

My name is Jordan Kanegis. I am originally from Bedford, NY— a small town about an hour north of Manhattan with the best diner food a girl could ask for (although most of you probably know it as home to Ralph Lauren’s estate and a ton of retired actors). I am the founder and designer of the fashion label Netta.

What inspired you to start Netta?

I started Netta as a hobby in college. I would sketch designs regularly, oftentimes gravitating towards swimsuits. I finally decided to make one design a reality and went on a website called Freelancer.com to see if I could find someone to crochet the suit for me. After a few back and forths, it was perfect! I posted a photo wearing the bikini on my Instagram and got tons of direct messages from girls asking where they could buy it. I had a dozen more made and sold them at a mark up. It all took off from there.

The brand was originally called Kiss my Kini, but later, after realizing that it could really be something, I decided to make it more personal and change the name to Netta. Netta means a little sprout that’s growing in Hebrew. It’s also my nickname that only my family members call me (being the youngest in my family, I am very much so the sprout!) The name definitely applies to my brand as it is both unequivocally me and a symbol of the company’s mission to remain sustainable and value our planet’s finite resources.

What inspires you to create new pieces? What is your design process like?

My ultimate source of inspiration is my childhood. My toile printed suit, for example, was inspired by a couch at my mom’s house. This was our ‘time out’ couch. I would sit there and trace my fingers along the toile-printed fabric to help pass the time. I guess the pattern really stuck with me. A lot of memories from growing up in the country, surrounded by my family and nature, have remained in my mind and inspire who I am and what I choose to create today.

Other major sources of inspiration come from my job at Gagosian Gallery. Gagosian is a contemporary art gallery with over fifteen locations around the world. They also represent some of the most talented artists in the world. It would be pretty hard not to feel inspired as I am constantly surrounded by their work. When I am at my desk on a particularly slow day, I’ll pass the time by going through auction catalogues from Phillips, Christie’s, and Sotheby’s. I’ll mark in the catalogues specific color schemes, patterns, and artworks that catch my eye. My ultimate dream is to one day do a collaboration with one of our artists where he or she makes a print for me, but that’s certainly a pipe-dream.

Of course there are times where I will find myself in a creative lull. When this happens, I will go online to Pinterest or Instagram and just see where the stratosphere that is the internet takes me. I am particularly drawn to interior design, something you will often see posted on Netta’s Instagram profile— scouring Ignant’s website is my guilty pleasure.

Netta emphasizes that, “much like nature’s resources, our pieces are limited.” Can you tell us a bit about how sustainability impacts your brand and business?

I am a highly eco conscious person, so when I created Netta there was no option but for it to operate sustainably as well. All of my pieces are limited. Each suit is one out of twenty-five, never mass produced or restocked. I appreciate that my customer base is made up of likeminded

and sustainably-driven individuals who also care about our planet. This is the type of person I want buying, wearing, and representing my brand.

You handle so much of your brand – what does a day in the life look like for you?

I am a bit overprotective when it comes to Netta— she is my baby, my best friend, and my sister all in one sustainable package. I have had people reach out about internship and employment opportunities that graduated from some of the most reputable fashion institutions in the city such as FIT and Parsons (side note: I never went to design school and have no formal design training). When it comes down to it, even if their credentials exceed my own, I just can’t seem to let go and hand the reigns over to someone else. Even the most seemingly mundane and minuscule tasks are a huge deal to me because I know that every detail counts and the value of a well-oiled machine. I hope to grow of course, and I know that if this does happen I will eventually need to loosen up a bit and trust someone, but for now my daily life looks a lot like all work and no play. I handle everything from design to distribution. Running a small business while currently employed at a prestigious gallery that expects nothing but excellence from its employees is definitely a lot, but I enjoy it so much that it truly doesn’t feel like work. To me, this is the definition of happiness— Simply doing what you love.

How do you make time for yourself?

My family celebrates Shabbat every Friday night. I use this time as an opportunity to get off my phone and disconnect from work mode. Being present is a practice and it’s definitely something I am still working on. I have learned with age that you can achieve nothing without caring for your body and that your mental health is paramount!

You’ve had an exciting past few months – you’re now available on Moda Operandi! What was that like, and where do you see Netta going next?

Getting on Moda was one of the greatest achievements for my brand. I was particularly excited that they chose to include Netta in their Sustainable Swim Trunkshow. Having my designs showcased alongside other brands with a similar mission was like the cherry on top of a perfect sundae. I never know what’s next for Netta, but the harder I work the luckier I get. So far it’s gotten me further than I could have ever imagined. I wish I could tell my eighteen year old self, doodling designs in my notebook in college, where we’d be today. Just to see the look on my face.

What is your favourite piece that you’ve designed?

The V Neck One Piece. It’s so simple and chic, and I love that it can double as a bodysuit.

Aside from Netta, what are you most passionate about (in life, in general, whatever you wish!)?

Really, really, really good food. 

Lightning round

Favourite comfort food
Butter sugar crepes

Favourite drink
Whiskey sour or Tito’s vodka martini (depends on my mood)

What’s on your wish list right now?
For life to get back to some semblance of normality before I friggen lose it!

Favourite place to travel?

Italia!

Favourite beauty hack?

A tie between over-lining my lips and brushing my eyebrow hair up instead of

over with brow gel.

Best piece of advice you’ve received?

If you don’t know what to do, do nothing— the answer will come in time.