By ESTELLE PULESTON
You might think that when a theatrical costume designer turns their hand to lingerie, the result would be something quite ‘over the top’ – beautifully fanciful, no doubt, but not really suitable for everyday wear. At the atelier of Angela Friedman however, the extravagance of on-stage costuming is instead translated into intimatewear that’s quietly lavish. The kind of thing that the most well-dressed characters might actually choose to wear in private, were they real people.
Fully intending to make costuming a permanent career path, Friedman immersed herself in the world of costume design and creation from an early age, and eventually worked her way up to being Head of the Ladies’ Department at the New York City Ballet costume shop.
“I absolutely love how much symbolism and opulence can be presented in a costume,” she explains, “and so I try to bring just a small amount of that into my work in lingerie.” Her designs overall feel elegant and timeless, but there’s drama too: the sweeping cut of a bishop–sleeved robe, the puddling of silk at the base of a gown, or the multiple layers of silk satin frills on her iconic Silk Ruffled Panties. Her all-time bestsellers are the Camellia set and matching robe, a true showstopper that’s crafted in multi-colored, floor-sweeping embroidery.
As you might expect from someone who has worked on couture fashion, Friedman’s garments are finished to an exacting standard, and feel just as good to wear as they look. The Camellia robe, for example, features silk-bound seams on the interior, so there’s absolutely nothing scratchy! One of her personal favorites that she wears over and over is the Louisa bralette. “I absolutely love the silk-lined cups and how they’re free of any cup seams, making them the softest feel against the body,” she says.
Contact information:
Website: https://angelafriedman.com/
Instagram: @angelafriedman
See more Articles by Estelle Puleston in her Featured Designer Column
