Last Spring I was having coffee with a colleague in Greenwich, CT and decided to stop by Petticoat Lane, one of five lifestyle boutiques owned by Jason and Yami Palmer. I walked in to analyze the Lingerie content and walked out with a new handbag. It’s hard to resist Jason’s selling charisma which is substantial since it’s not my inclination to shop when I do these store visits. The … Read More
For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to vintage, antique and historic references. I think I like the idea of all the attention to detail, a lost art as the our world becomes more global. With lingerie, particularly, some of the gorgeous laces and fine embroideries of yesteryear still prevail in design. Because weddings are a tradition dating back centuries, there is always creative information in … Read More
What a way to start the New Year… with this romantic & stylish embroidery-like collection that will leave you wishing you WERE in Paris. Montelle’s S/S14 collection introduces “ Romance à Paris ” in rich sapphire blue in stores Mid-January 2014. Shown above an unlined balconnet bra design in sizes up to 40E with a boyshort designed with the perfect amount of coverage and a touch of sexy.
Valentine’s Day is one month away. What fantasy besieges you? Seduction appears in many forms, none as provocative as lingerie. This season the teddy is the star. No one does sexy bodywear quite like Maison Close.
… Read MoreBy John Festa

Huit & La Perla
I love balconette bras. There is no other bra style that can compare with its classic sexiness and shape enhancement. The literal translation of the word balconette is little balcony. Performers regularly joke about the theater’s balcony being the cheap seats, though there is nothing cheap about this extraordinary bra style.

Lou Paris & Chantelle
Occasionally referred to as a shelf … Read More
Last week my friend Marina, author of our Intimate Vision column, took me for a visit to the Dover market on Lexington and 30th street in NYC. Duplicating the existing concepts already in sync in London and Tokyo, this is the conceptual inspiration of Rei Kawakubo creative master of the Japanese brand Comme Des Garcons. Much discussion abounds about the eccentric content and the artful interiors that make this shopping … Read More
In late 2012, a close colleague of mine asked me to look at a new foundation’s brand, Curvy Couture™ being prepared for a 2013 market launch. It’s not easy to break through merchandising barriers when it comes to bras and panties. I was immediately impressed by the quality but recognized some clear merchandising voids. A cohesive presentation in extended sizes was not yet available and so, as I need to … Read More