by Moira Nelson

The Lingerie Designer Showcase and Bra La Mode co-hosted a Networking Seminar and Lingerie Fashion Show in NYC on February 22, 2012.

Combining the best elements of a marketing seminar, a lingerie fashion show and a networking event, New York City’s newest Lingerie Trade Show, the Lingerie Designer Showcase held its debut Brand Affair Event in collaboration with intimate apparel resource site BraLaMode.com on February 22, 2012 at The Producers Club on West 44th Street, NYC.

The Brand Affair event was a panel discussion on the importance of marketing and PR for lingerie brands and businesses and was moderated by Margaret Shrum, the Lingerie Goddess and included, as panelists, Lauren Rich, founder + director of RICHPR, a Fashion PR agency specializing in intimate apparel; Treacle, the Founder of the Lingerie Addict and digital media consultant for the lingerie industry; and Dan Sackrowitz, VP of Marketing and New Business Development at BareNecessities.com. Guests learned how to overcome the challenges inherent in both digital and traditional marketing, and were able to gain insight into further building their brands and businesses.

The exclusive industry event was sold out within 24 hours and as the venue filled up on the eve of the event, it quickly became standing-room only.  Guests included intimate apparel industry marketing professionals.  Boutique buyers and owners included Angie Courtney of Sweetest Sin, Cristina Casciano-King of Peek Brooklyn, Jen Manuel Carroll of Belle Fleur Lingerie as well as numerous others from around the US and Canada.  Influential lingerie bloggers and other press/media included Ellen Lewis and Shirley Wolf Freeman of LingerieBriefs.com, Heather Briggs of McPete Sez Lingerie Newsletter, Holly Jackson of TheFullFiguredChest.com.

Brands  attending the event included  Curvy Kate UK, the Naked Princess, Irely Intimates, Lola Haze, Affinitas Intimates.   Other industry professionals included Elisabeth Dale of The Breast Life, Ali Cudby of Fab Foundations, Darlene Campbell of Campbell & Kate and the full-busted blog Hourglassy.com, as well as industry icon Roslyn Harte

The highlight of the event was a “Lingerie Exhibition” fashion show featuring the latest designs of the incredibly talented independent designers showcasing their collections at The Lingerie Designer Showcase – Andrea Billard, Ann Vogue, Clare Bare Lingerie, Dottie’s Delights, Fred and Ginger, Good Night Gilda, Ombrato Sleepwear, Priscilla Jade Lingerie and Toad Lillie.

Guests mingled with fellow industry professionals while admiring the unique lingerie designs modeled throughout the “Intimate Affair” Networking Social which followed the panel discussion.  This original lingerie event was co-hosted and sponsored by Bra La Mode and The Lingerie Journal.

Luis Paredes, publisher of The Lingerie Journal and founder of the Lingerie Designer Showcase and Moira Nelson, lingerie industry professional and founder of the intimate apparel resource site Bra La Mode, share a passion for uniting independent lingerie designers, brands and businesses with larger scale intimate apparel companies, organizations and professionals.  Their mission is to connect lingerie professionals from all aspects of the industry to collaborate, educate, inspire, empower, and to share resources to ultimately elevate the intimate apparel industry as a whole.

The Brand Affair was held on the second day of the Lingerie Designer Showcase – a new lingerie trade show for independent lingerie designers. The showcase was held from February 21 – 23, 2012 at the AKA Hotel on 44th street between 6th and 7th Avenues in New York City.

This Weeks Intimate Discovery:  Hot, New Designers Arrive At The Lingerie Designer Showcase

There is nothing quite as satisfying as the discovery of new talent and for that I thank the Lingerie Designer Showcase trade show that took place last week at the AKA Hotel Residences in NYC.  This nascent show, Indie in its own right, showcased 10 brands of emerging Intimate artists who are just spreading their wings.  There were a host of interesting new silhouettes worthy of recognition from all of these eclectic designers but I was focused early on the parade of creative panty styles that I culled from many of the collections.  This was a powerful merchandising story for any lingerie connoisseur. It was inspiring to find these intimate gems and the relaxed environment, amplified by truffles and champagne, did not hurt.

“There is no better high than discovery.”  ~ E.O. Wilson

MINI BRIEF: Speaking of Indie, I was very impressed with the standing room only Brand Affair event hosted by The Lingerie Journal and Bra La Mode at The Producers Club in NYC to support all the designers participating in the Lingerie Designer Showcase.  Combining a diverse panel of marketing pioneers, the crowd consisted of retailers, designer and industry experts. Read more in depth coverage by guest blogger Moira Nelson in Intimate Affairs.

by  Rhea Cortado

There are prints that people are conditioned to seeing on bikinis and swimwear. Tropical flowers. Stripes. Geometric shapes. Whatever prints are trending in ready-to-wear, like the tribal fever going on now. When I first saw Maaji’s swimwear at Surf Expo in Florida, I was mad about the prints and style lines that were in another fairytale universe from everything else on the show floor. The designer from Columbia makes all the prints and then links the pattern pieces together like a delirious kaleidoscope quilt of sea creatures and beach accoutrements drawings. I wanted to take a photo. But I couldn’t decide which one. I had to have the bandeau with laser cut scalloping and pastel rainbows, but that top didn’t have … Read more

You know something is a trend when its synergy begins to creep into your daily conscious.  I am not sure why or how, but I sense a sea change in our cultural atmosphere:  a slow shifting of the tides.   It was apparent at the Paris shows and reinforced again last week at CURVENY.  There is always a broad sweep of interesting ideas, but I like to zero in.  Nothing spoke louder to me than the infusion of vibrant colors prevalent throughout the show.  Brands, both established like Wacoal and Commando as well as emerging such as Claudette, Ari Dein and Lola Haze were replete with bold colors applied with an interesting twist.  There was a definite halo of optimism.

Juxtaposed with this surge of vitality was a return to the grace and elegance of classic intimates albeit with a modern edge perpetrated by the use of light airy laces in graphic architectural designs.  One gets the impression that less is more and having plenty is not as meaningful as the sensuality of owning a unique and gorgeous piece of lingerie.  Jane Woolrich’s exquisite handwork tells the entire story.

Combining the kick of color and the impact of strategically placed laces as well as the technical fabric evolution apparent in the shaping industry, shapewear continues to evolve from the utilitarian undergarment of the mid 1900’s into contemporary design pieces required to play the dual role of function and fashion. 
Just look at the new silhouettes offered by Fleur of England and Sassybax or the fabric innovation at Cass Performance.  No brand makes the tried and true look new quite like Rago.

Discovery is the central focus of any successful encounter.  The introduction of new lines, with unique products demanding a new perspective, such as Fine Lines and Being U,  add value instead of excess to the Intimate market contributing to of a prescient message about our future.

“If You Change The Way You Look At Things, The Things You Look At Change.”  ~ Wayne Dyer

by  Jené Luciani

What’s your “Bra-blem”?  Jené goes live on WNBC to solve three typical Bra Fit issues.  Watch it now!

… Read more

This Week’s Intimate Discovery:  UK Designer Creates Lingerie Art

The first time I met UK Corsetiere, Velda Lauder I was impressed by the artistry of her work, but even more the intense diligence to detail and function.  Velda’s extensive design background, supported by a plethora of accolades and celebrity customers since she began her Intimate Adventure in 1994 has culminated in a focused Made to Order Corset collection that reveals her identity with the feminine self.  Fascinated by the curvy glamour showcased in the movies of the 1940’s and 50’s, Velda creates her handmade lingerie for a  woman who wants to elegantly highlight her curves but seeks comfort as well as style.  Attentive to a woman’s most sensitive figure concerns, she has created unique accessory pieces devoted to accentuating the positive aspects of the body.  Using the finest quality fabrics and trims, these corsets, available from 20″ to 32″ waist and up to HH cups, shape and sculpt the torso, reducing up to 4 inches, without oppressing the ribs or hips.  Drama, delicacy and excellence are revealed.

 “Keep The Curve”. . . Velda Lauder

inquiries: veldalauder@veldalauder.co.uk

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