By ELLEN LEWIS
Yesterday was a horrible day in the USA. Evil descended. Las Vegas happened. In a year already fraught with nature’s destruction and divisive prideful anger, this was darkness at its pinnacle. It seems nearly impossible to soldier on. When one is writing about lingerie on days such as this, the mission seems trite. How does one relate such relentless trauma to the business of underwear? It’s not … Read More
By ELLEN LEWIS
Some time ago, I received a call from an owner of a very reputable lingerie specialty store decrying the impact of the internet on her business. As a bra fitting specialist, she was upset at on-line sales from both brands and web-sites that were eating into her bottom line. At the time, she was hoping that I might have sway with some of the industry and help … Read More
By ELLEN LEWIS
All this conversation about integrating lingerie into ready to wear wardrobes got me thinking about my years as a legwear buyer and our mission to take hosiery from basic nude to lingerie for the legs. In those days, choices were limited. Finding color, pattern, extended sizes and eccentricity was a fishing expedition. I know I am dating myself, but seeing the Pretty Polly brand, memories flooded back. … Read More
By ELLEN LEWIS
Once and awhile I come across a product that makes me break my “blogging rules”. That is, I don’t believe in reviews; (they are much too partisan) and a product needs to be around for several seasons before I accept its viability in the market. However, I have made an exception for the nascent brand, Etched Lingerie. I first heard the name in the lead up … Read More
By ELLEN LEWIS
On September 28th, the inimitable Jos Berry founder, and creative director of Concepts Paris, will be hosting the Creativ’Lab live at the New York Interfiliere show. (Details Here) For me, personally, Concepts Paris has, for the majority of my career, been the premiere source for researching the creative process in lingerie design and development. The information that Jos and her team share is … Read More
I debated the inspiration of today’s article, torn between the rage that is Hurricane Irma and the visit I made Saturday to The Metropolitan Museum of Art to participate in The Shady Ladies Tour. The dichotomy of these two experiences speaks for itself, or does it. Challenge, either by Mother Nature or the courtesans depicted through Art History can still be defined as provocation, rebellion and confrontation. Both are symbols, … Read More
Last week I visited Helen Sánchez at her Chelsea (NYC) Atelier. Fruit, rugelach, coffee and a lengthy conversation about the loss of “affordable” luxury at retail ensued. I’ve known from the onset that the evolution of big box stores into a banker’s paradise would stem the tide of design creativity at retail. But I really believe in the pendulum effect (I’ve been reading a lot of history this summer). Art … Read More