By ESTELLE PULESTON
Based in Paris, France, Odette Ancel is a luxury lingerie brand with a sense of playfulness – one made from fine-quality European fabrics such as Solstiss lace, but which takes its inspiration as much from Disney princesses as it does from the pre-Raphaelite art world.
This dual educational background, she says, created a very strong base when it comes to finding her design inspiration. Art history is one of a few key influences, particularly the literature-inspired illustrations of Gustave Doré. When you consider that Mouzakiti also loves to play with the theme of fairy tales in her work, perhaps it’s really a sense of storytelling that she’s most drawn to.
One of my favorite ranges from her current collection, Snow White, is made from a beautiful lace with raised heart embroideries, and features a puff-sleeved bra, skirted garter belt and cute Peter Pan collar accessory. The inspiration is there to see when you know to look for it, but overall, it doesn’t feel costume-y.
Other lingerie collections range from kitschy lightning bolt or pistol embroideries, through to more elegantly luxurious creations such as the Fedra set in shimmering, mermaid-like lace. And with details such as shoulder flounces, chunky gemstones and one particularly unique single-sided skirted garter belt, there’s always plenty to catch your eye and make each look memorable.
Mouzakiti takes a shape-first approach to designing, only beginning to look for fabrics once she has a garment silhouette outlined. Often, this means falling in love with a fabric option that’s not at all like what she had been picturing at the start, and the collection ends up going in a completely different direction. “It’s like when you make plans for life,” she says, “Nothing happens as you have imagined it!”
Alongside the lingerie, Odette Ancel also offers a ‘swim’ range. Featuring unique cut-outs, bold prints (designed by Mouzakiti herself) and the type of high-shine Lycra often employed for stage costumes, these statement pieces have actually proven to be an unexpected hit among pole dancers, burlesque dancers, aerial artists and the like. Once again, the final result has ended up being not quite what Mouzakiti had in mind when she initially designed it.
Odette Ancel garments are produced in France and Greece, and for the most part, are available in sizes S-L. Prices start at 30€ (approx. $32) for accessories, with three-piece lingerie sets costing between 235€ and 335€ (approx. $255-$360).
Contact information:
Website: http://odetteancel.com/
Instagram: @odette_ancel_paris
Email: info@odetteancel.com
