Viva La France! ~ French Lingerie Loft

November 5, 2018

By TINA WILSON

THE FRENCH LINGERIE LOFT show, presented by Lingerie Francaise, was cozy, even quaint and it was a pleasant contrast to all the trade shows and fairs normally held in big cold spaces. I walked up the stairs after entering on Bleecker street and was greeted to a demonstration by Caudalie, the French skin care brand. Women were sitting around a big white wooden table sampling and applying assorted creams as demonstrated by a brand representative. It felt like someone’s home and I felt like I walked in on a dinner party just before the main course. I looked over at the kitchen and there was a group of people huddled and laughing in front of the lovely spread of crudité, pate, wine and pastries.

While everyone was focused on magic serums to heal and repair the skin, I had the strategically placed racks to myself. All the … ...Read more

ANIMAL INSTINCT

October 1, 2018

By TINA WILSON

“Lions and tigers and bears, OH MY!” …this phrase popped in my head as I was walking home recently. The abundance of animal prints on the streets is stunning. I have taken to stealing pics of women wearing animal prints on their shoes, on their leggings, their blouses, dresses and scarves while wondering if the animal kingdom thrives in what lies beneath.

I was in Barneys recently trying to make my way to the intimate apparel floor in search of examples of this kingdom when I was corralled by the shoe department. I am obsessed with hairy, furry animal print slides. I seriously thought of buying a pair but they are not cheap and must be shown off publicly and often if purchased. On closer consideration I had doubts about the fur that so beautifully spills out of the shoes, touching the sidewalks of NY, I questioned … ...Read more

Ode To Heavenly Bodies ~ Aretha

August 20, 2018

By TINA WILSON

“Gotta Find Me an Angel” …Coffee in hand, attempting to write about “Heavenly Bodies”, radio on, listening to hours of the Queen of Soul, I was pushing back a steady stream of tears. I knew I had to scrap what I had written and let her music take me where I needed to go, Aretha has a way of doing that.

The timing of my choice to blog on the Met Museum exhibit “Heavenly Bodies” and the passing of the woman who helped generations get thru the sorrows and joys of life with her voice does not escape me.

Everyone I know who lives in Detroit, has an Aretha sighting, in the grocery store, in J.L Hudson’s, at the Coney Island, exiting her limo, and my own sighting as a kid looking for the perfect Christmas tree with our Dad, where we found Aretha looking for … ...Read more

Inspiration From Paris ~ Interfiliere A/W 2020

July 23, 2018

By TINA WILSON

I recently returned from eating and shopping my way through Paris in glorious weather. I was in the city of lights to attend Interfiliere and Unique/ Mode City. In between binging I found time for inspiration, the kind of inspiration I desperately needed. My first day was reserved for galleries and exhibits, namely the genius of Martin Margiela in a retrospective at the Palais Galliera, musee de la Mode de la Ville de Paris. This powerful dose of creativity got me to thinking about “what is inspiration”?

Interfiliere /Mode City is divided into two sections; one for brands to showcase their lines of intimates, swim and sleepwear to buyers from all over the world. The other side of the fair is for manufacturers of laces, fabrics, and trims to showcase their products to the designers of such brands. I was there to be inspired by both, but … ...Read more

Swimming Upstream ~ Summer Worthy Swimwear

June 25, 2018

By TINA WILSON

As we celebrate the official beginning of summer, of schools being out, of half day Fridays and the sweltering heat of July, swimwear comes into focus. The classification has gained momentum is the last few years with many intimate brands introducing swim collections providing a myriad of choices. I could have focused on only American brands but I also wanted to pay tribute to what makes this country truly special…immigrants. And brands such as Rue 107, owned by Haitian born Marie Jean Baptiste, B Fyne founded by a Nigerian American and Zingara, a Mexican based brand all show the creativity and design detail of more familiar names.

Norma Kamali has been designing for strong independent women for decades and her iconic ruched swimwear is just as relevant now as it was when she debuted it. La Perla swim needs no introduction. Lise Charmel has some … ...Read more

Fashion Illustrations

Viva La France! ~ French Lingerie Loft

ANIMAL INSTINCT

Ode To Heavenly Bodies ~ Aretha

Inspiration From Paris ~ Interfiliere A/W 2020

Swimming Upstream ~ Summer Worthy Swimwear