Impudique: French Elegance with a Fetish-Inspired Edge
By ESTELLE PULESTON
Impudique, a French word meaning wanton or immodest, is the name of the lingerie line launched in 2017 by Charlotte Catanzaro, daughter of renowned fetishwear designer Patrice Catanzaro.
After growing up around his Paris studio and later working alongside him for 7 years, immersed in a universe of fabrics, parades and artistic expression, Charlotte inherited his deep passion for the creative process, for French savoir-faire, and for fashion that inspires confidence and invokes sensuality.
She also, naturally, learnt a great deal about what it takes to run a successful business, and how many hats you have to wear when you’re in charge. Each morning, she starts her day by checking in with each individual team so she always knows what’s happening in the different departments. Then it’s over to her office where the rest of her day can be spent on anything from designing to organising photo shoots and selecting final images, to working out costings or updating the website. Sometimes all of the above!
Impudique was her way of putting her own stamp on Maison Catanzaro, which she eventually took over completely in 2023. The collection is designed in keeping with the spirit of the fetishwear that built the house’s reputation – and its extensive customer base – but it introduces a softer and more feminine touch.
In place of vinyl, wetlook fabrics and faux leather – at least for the most part – you’ll instead find Charlotte’s favourite fabric, bi-stretch mesh, which she loves for its alluring transparency, lightweight comfort, and flattering shaping effect. That and embroidery – lots of embroidery!
Still, though, there are crotches with zipper openings, open cups, open-backed briefs, and plenty of bondage-inspired strappy elements. It’s risqué meets pretty, and it has clearly been a hit with the Impudique line now on its 7th lingerie collection, which launched last month.
Aptly named The 7 Deadly Sins, it will include seven ranges (two still to be revealed) that each ‘embody the essence of a sin’. Whether it’s the sparkling Avarice (Greed), the invitingly-soft Paresse (Sloth) or the overtly-erotic Luxure (Lust), it’s all about celebrating taking full control of your desires. Charlotte designs “for women to rediscover their taste for beautiful things, their femininity. By that, I mean for herself, not to please someone else.”
Earlier this year, she also unveiled Impudique’s first ever swim collection. Swimwear, she says, is “the lingerie of the summer season” and this range was certainly a lot closer to lingerie than most mainstream swim fashion, with Impudique’s signature mesh upping the transparency.
Impudique lingerie and swimwear is all manufactured in its own atelier in Southern France, and comes in a size range of XS to 3XL AND 32B to 36D. Prices start at 25€ (approx. $30) for accessories such as cuffs and chokers, with lingerie separates priced from 39€ to 269€ (approx. $45 to $315).
Contact information:
Website: https://maisoncatanzaro.com/en/341-impudique
Instagram: @impudiquelingerie
Email: contact@maisoncatanzaro.com
