The Real America ~ Between The Sheets

I was riding the #4 Subway in NYC today when I took this photo of the commuters sitting side by side across from me.  I was struck by the dichotomy of faces, each ensconced in their own daily business.  This is the real America, a nation built on immigrant dreams.  This city is a cornucopia of technical and creative talent who came here from distant shores using their unique skills to create a truly dynamic domain.  For the Lingerie Industry, there are a core group of young artisans, whose design ethics defy the status quo as they work diligently to sustain their craft here in the USA.  Understanding the critical difference that hands on design can perpetuate, they sacrifice volume for quality.  Their mission is to remain artists, assigned and defined by their individual aesthetic signature.

One of my personal favorites is Layla L’Obatti, whose stable of labels includes Between The Sheets, the intimate brand she started in 2009 with help from the economic stimulus and SBA backing.  Grateful for the support she has garnered here at home, she is not intimidated by the big mass players. Believing whole heartily in the importance of hands on involvement from conception to completion, Layla literally breathes her own life into each piece of her collection.  Contemporary, intelligent, gentle, and sensual styles emerge.  Respecting independence and entrepreneurial courage is a critical underpinning of the Lingerie Briefs mission, which is why we also are thrilled to have her distinctive vision as our vintage blogger in her column: Lingerie That Lingers.