When I first saw the Yay Panties brand at Curve in February, I was not sure about another panty package program; but, it’s my job to mine the market for the best in class. Whenever a newcomer surfaces, I feel compelled to do some R&D. And the marketing campaign, so critical in today’s digital world was enticing: fun, sexy and affordable underwear completely seamless and stitch free.  My 32 year old daughter, who is not a fan of underpants in general (please don’t ask) convinced me of their potential when, after trying the boy short, she raved about the fit and feel. The fabric is so malleable and soft; it’s hard to remember one is wearing undies at all.  This I can personally vouch for as I tried them on. Currently focused on two key items, the tanga and the cheeky in sizes XS-XL, they are launching as I write. Yay Panties is positioned to expand the assortment for Spring 18.  Additional collections including bacteria resistant materials and cooling elements will enable them to add a fashion and active range that will zero in on their target customer; a spirited young woman searching for cool lingerie that won’t break the bank.  In the past few weeks, Yay Panties has surfaced in my email more than once. That set off my radar. It might just be worth getting to know this new kid in town.

“There’s a New Kid in Town. Everybody’s Talking” ~Don Henley

This week Tina takes us on a journey through the most intimate of senses: silk stroking the skin, music that remembers the past, scents that elevate our awareness. In her illustrations, she celebrates the pajama and all that it represents in the world of lingerie. READ and SEE more here

Working against cultural forces has always been a struggle for women. Growing up in the 1950’s and 60’s, was a particularly poignant era to come of age. The forces driving us forward were being held at bay by the established bylines of the times. For me, femininity never resided in the classic parameters of feminine tastes: princesses, knights on horseback, frills and ruffles. My father’s words: “Make sure you can take care of yourself” were the closest I ever came to a male directive of what I should be. I won’t deny that I had pipe-dreams at age 10, of being a ballerina. But these fantasies were never promoted in my particular familial sphere – which was probably a good thing since clearly I was not physically or musically destined to dance. Instead, as they did in most interests I wanted to pursue, my parents schooled me in what lies beneath a beautiful performance: hard work, long hours, failure and recovery. They bought me tickets to the Joffrey Ballet Rehearsals where I saw first-hand, the melding of criticism, mistakes, body strength, and exquisite results. It was at these rehearsals that I first encountered the ballerina’s real wardrobe: comfortable body wear meant to free the torso for daily discovery. The gorgeous costumes visible at the finish line were just an accessory to the talent beneath.

This truth is equally apparent when one looks for the essence of the Commando brand: underlying functionality that augments a woman’s wardrobe without dominating it. The Ballet collection is used constantly by stylists and editors to dress up or dress down skirts and pants. Engineered in a sumptuous soft European microfiber with extraordinary breath-ability, these ‘one size fits most’ seamless styles have endless stretch. Designed with Commando’s signature raw edges and chic simplicity, they are like hosiery for the upper body. Perfect for solo wear or a layering piece they are performance lingerie worthy of the Commando stage.

“Everything is Better at the Ballet” . . . Marvin Hamlisch

I am back on the East coast going through my semiannual transition to my NY lifestyle. Besides waking up in the middle of the night and walking in the wrong direction to the bathroom, I am also acutely aware of certain amenities available in the USA that we often take for granted even though we shouldn’t; like water. In Cabo, water delivery to our homes via the city is a constant bone of contention. The extraordinary growth in tourism without the proper infrastructure has left homeowners hi and dry, literally. When I moved to Cabo 5 years ago, water flowed regularly into our cisterns. Today, if we receive a delivery once a week, we count our blessings. Our lives revolve around avoiding the need to call a water truck; affecting when we do our laundry, wash dishes, the length of showers, how we brush our teeth, even when we entertain. Nonetheless, one acclimates because the climate demands it. Returning to the northeast, I find myself acutely in touch with the level of waste and the privilege of consumption that we, as Americans, often take for granted.

So, it with personal pleasure, both creatively and technically that I have decided to focus on Only Heart’s new Eco Lace collection delivering this month. These intimates are constructed in an Italian lace manufactured from regenerated threads left over from the spinning process, and made into yarn in a solar powered mill. In addition to creating something beautiful out of waste and using the energy from the sun, this process also uses minimal amounts of water. The preservation of water, obviously close to my heart, does not compromise the artistry of these designs. And in fact, it was this unique lace pattern, graphic, yet graceful, that drew my attention at first. The ability to initiate such delicate beauty by empowering the environment instead of neglecting it, puts Only Hearts squarely in the future.

“Water, Water Everywhere, Nor Any Drop to Drink”  ~Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Today, Deedee brings you her exclusive podcast with Katia Charle, lead designer at Simone Perele. Katia brings her personal insight into the complexities and joys of lingerie design, particularly on a luxury level. Listen Here

Traveling back to NY from Cabo puts a bit of wrench in my writing schedule. So, today, I decided to share some of my photos, most taken by me on Medano Beach. Swimwear stores are as prevalent in Cabo as nail salons are in New York. It’s lifestyle clothing here. I am always amazed at the beachwear options and the potential of this business. Too bad the there is such a dearth of lingerie. What an opportunity. READ and SEE MORE here. . .