Today, I took a quick pass through the newly renovated Victoria Secret flagship in Herald Square, NY and it was exceptional. It’s a multi layered labyrinth of beautiful, sexy lingerie in vivid color. Beautifully executed to showcase this mega brand, I was as impressed as I always am by their marketing savvy, but equally as exciting was the treasure troth of merchandise that addressed every aspect of a young girls’ intimate life. Take a look; it is inspirational.
By Luis Paredes
Ombrato means “take it easy” in a Japanese dialect. As the name suggests, Ombrato creates simple, elegant and comfortable sleep and lounge wear using high quality materials. Inspired by clean and understated elements of Japanese aesthetics, the design is streamlined yet gives women a sense of femininity and being special. The borderline between inner wear and outer wear is increasingly blurred and Ombrato aims to offer pieces that can effortlessly travel both worlds. Ombrato is based in New York City and all the garments are manufactured locally.
For Spring/Summer 2013, Ombrato introduces lounge wear using Liberty of London seasonal collection. Stripes in muted colors and nature inspired patterns are truly unique and a slip dress and camisole can easily be worn outside. There are also pieces using lace fabric and English stretch net as well as silk charmeuse and chiffon.
Contact the designer directly at: shirokawa@ombrato.com
By Luis Paredes
Clare Bare is a Brooklyn based designer specializing in fashion forward eco-friendly lingerie made from organic cotton, bamboo jersey, and vintage fabric. Clare creates garments that are structured to flatter your body in a natural way without the use of constrictive hardware, and each piece is as comfortable as it is sexy. All of her pieces are made in house with the assistance of local creatives, using sustainable practices and natural and handmade dyes. The designs range everywhere in between fashion and function, and offer something for everyone. Soft cup bralettes, bodysuits, panties, and garter belts are created with a modern take on vintage styling.
During her years at Parsons, Clare collected and drew inspiration from vintage textiles that eventually piled so high that there was no more space to work. Soon after, “Clare Bare” was conceived out of the need to give her piles of fabric a purpose, and to make good use out of a clever name. Coming from a background of mosaic art has led Clare to create very tactile pieces mixed with unexpected colors and textures, and the joy that comes from the physical process of creating emanates from each Clare Bare piece. What started as an act of love is now an ever growing business fueled by passion and created for passionate consumers.
Contact the designer directly at clare@clarebare.com or 646.221.6891
By Luis Paredes
Angela Friedman is a New York based lingerie designer specializing in corsets and silk intimates. Her new Versailles Collection is a vintage-inspired lingerie line, featuring intricate Baroque detailing and a delicate, muted color palette. This line emphasizes beauty and indulgence, and its hourglass silhouettes and draped silks are designed to make women feel as alluring as they look. The line features steel-boned corsets, bias-cut slips and robes, and lace bra and panty sets. Each fabric is selected for its luxury appeal: European silks, metallic brocades, French lace, frothy ruffles, and hand embroidery add to the luscious, decadent, and feminine feel of the collection.
The line philosophy is to maintain the integrity of historical fashion, but blend it with a contemporary aesthetic. This collection offers women the opportunity to access the fairytale romance of the past, while presenting a style that reflects their everyday modern lives. The Versailles Collection empowers women to feel stronger and more confident in their own skin, all while indulging themselves in the soft, delicate intimates that they deserve!
Angela Friedman’s lingerie is designed and manufactured by hand in the heart of New York City’s garment district. For sales information or a press kit, contact manager Lydia Witt at sales@angelafriedman.com
By Luis Paredes
Inspired by the vintage under-things worn by the starlets of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Dirty Dolls Lingerie is bringing glamour back into the everyday.
Dirty Dolls Lingerie was founded in November of 2008 by Courtney Leigh Newman and Erica Rosalind Paul, two veteran fashion designers known to their loyal customers simply as “The Dolls.” The company’s core mission is to provide gorgeous, perfectly fitted brassieres, panties, and shapers to women who wear hard-to-find sizes. The Dolls themselves are among the millions of ladies who’ve long been frustrated by the absence of great brassieres available to those blessed with sexy curves. After years of being forced to buy dull bras simply because they had beautiful bosoms, The Dolls decided to take matters into their own hands.
Turning this vision into a reality took several years. The owners held down day jobs for much of that time, so they held countless late-night meetings at the Moonstruck Diner on W. 23rd Street. They would stay there until the wee hours, crunching their projected numbers and designing fabulous lingerie. On weekends they would run all over the city, fitting prototype bras onto anyone who was willing. Finally, the founding Dirty Dolls were ready to set off on their quest to fit all women with exquisite lingerie, and to educate them in the importance of wearing supportive, yet coquettish under-things!
See the collection and meet Courtney and Erica at the upcoming Lingerie Designer Showcase.
By Luis Paredes
NEVAEH “the secret word to enter paradise” – Count of St. Germain.
Decadence is key. Nevaeh Intimates, by Melissa Franchi and created in New York City, exudes femininity and empowers the modern day sophisticated women with a new luxurious lingerie collection.
Fever and Thoughts is a timeless collection that fulfills all needs and desires: long-line, non-wire, full coverage bras, bikinis, high waisted briefs, hipsters, thongs, chemise, and garters.
The pieces are designed using exquisite details, such as galloon lace inserts, luxurious stretch silk charmeuse, and hand-sewn vintage gold beading. Pieces are adjustable and removable to ensure comfort and support.
See the collection and meet the designer at the upcoming Lingerie Designer Showcase.
By Luis Paredes
With Love Lingerie is about evoking glamour and intimacy through underpinnings that are made and worn with love. With Love founder and head designer, Carrie Russell, muses, “women can feel guilty when they indulge in a box of chocolates or a bottle or their favorite Merlot, but the right lingerie should make them feel like a million dollars.”
Instead of offering the anonymity of big box brands, With Love sells in more intimate setting of lingerie boutiques.
With Love is proud to be part of the Canadian fashion community and chooses to keep production in Canada.
With Love Lingerie is exhibiting at the upcoming Lingerie Designer Showcase (http://lingeriedesignershowcase.com/)