This week Tina’s blog continues her journey into Hybrid Design as she focuses on the surge of the legging business across the fashion world. READ and SEE more HERE

Some years ago, after my first child was born, my husband gave me an exquisite piece of jewelry for Christmas: a cabochon ruby choker embraced by diamonds. This created a conundrum for me. Precious jewelry was not really my thing. I did not even want an engagement ring. But my grandmother had once told me that I must never return a gift from my husband, that each offering was a promise and we cannot break our promises. Heeding her advice, though I thought it a bit extravagant and somewhat ostentatious, I have quietly kept it for years, recently passing it on to my daughter for posterity. What I failed to grasp in those early days is that the value in these gems is in the beauty of the setting. It is the way the artisan manages the details to make a statement equal to the worth of the woman who wears it. It requires extraordinary skill to design elegance.

Like an elaborately crafted piece of fine jewelry, each Fleur of England piece is a collectible treasure. Mined from Fleur Turner’s sumptuous imagination, this brand is a detailed study of lingerie artistry. Never compromising technique or craftsmanship, Fleur’s use of bespoke embroideries, laces and rich fabrics frame an allegory of luxury that any woman might covet. A gift to oneself or by another, they are flawless lingerie gems worthy of heirloom status. No wonder this British brand is recognized as one of the crown jewels of intimate design.

“Elegance Is Timeless. It Withstands Trends”  Zac Posen

This week, Alison decided that pure luxury has no bounds. She has curated the exquisite silk prints from the MENG Collection. Known for their signature kimono designs, MENG has added pajamas to their coterie and more reason to take this wearable art outside of the home. READ and SEE more here

This week has been an intense market drill down: three full days at Curve NY, The Lingerie Select, followed by showroom appointments. Spring 18 previews, current business reviews and fall strategy meetings: these generate a great deal of  input requiring thoughtful analysis. Look for a defined perspective shortly. But today, I want to highlight an English label that I love for its lingerie purity, Gilda & Pearl. I visited designer Diane Houston at the fabulous Nomad Hotel in NYC, a perfect backdrop for her stunning luxury brand. It is a welcome perk to learn that she is launching the Diane Houston Gilda & Pearl diffusion collection. I’ve been following Diane’s work since she entered the Intimates market in 2011 after 5 years creating bespoke designs for her British customers. Her signature brand, now focused at stores, such as Barneys in the USA and Harrods in London, is expanding its reach for Spring 18 with the Diane Houston label. This brings Gilda & Pearl’s modern interpretation of vintage boudoir luxury to a broader consumer base. Right on trend, these silk and satin styles work effortlessly into a woman’s wardrobe. I am on my way back into Manhattan for some more Intimate market nourishment, but I thought I would share a bit of the aesthetic with you now.

Gilda & Pearl

Diane Houston for Gilda & Pearl

“To Keep Art Stimulating, It’s Important to Open It Up to New Horizons” ~Hans-Ulrich Obrist

Years ago, before social media, when my job was inextricably linked to Victoria Secret (a client), the VS catalog was a mail order lingerie bible. Born and raised in a department store brick and mortar world where hanger appeal dictated product decisions, learning an entire new set of merchandising rules for catalog sales was enlightening. The picture was everything. VS would develop and place orders with us. Then they would shoot the product on their models. Depending on the power of the image, they would increase orders before the book was even released to the public. Photography was the lifeblood of catalog sales, often extending consumer interest to the store. Unbeknownst to me, I was being prepared for a digital merchandising revolution, a movement that would twist the retail world into a frenzy. Today, when it comes to selling product photography rules the internet. Thus my particular interest in photographers whose artistic insight has the ability to create a visceral reaction in a consumer; a reaction similar to the first impression one might get when entering a store.  Celso Diniz is a great example of this talent. I discovered his work on Instagram when an image of this Clio babydoll, designed by Francis Smily, with whom he collaborated on her campaign, caught my eye. Now based in Miami, Florida, the Brazilian born Celso established his business in 2005 turning exclusively to swimwear and lingerie in 2015. The beach informs much of his work, taking him to seascapes beyond the USA shores. As a a photographer, his rapport with models, agencies and designers is as critical as a sales persons interaction with a customer. No wonder his work has been so well recognized. Contact celsodinizphoto@gmail.com

“A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” ~Tess Flanders

This week Tina continues the discussion about the hybridization of design. In her blog, she expounds on how the current state of world affairs has impacted culture. The old rules don’t apply. READ and SEE more here. . . .