I love sitting in a showroom, nourishing my merchant’s soul with gorgeous product, beautifully executed and so seductively marketed. This is perpetually guaranteed when reviewing the Chantelle Lingerie collection. It’s always interesting and I am always inspired. This is, after all the brand that has so successfully managed to bring French elegance to the pragmatic North American marketplace. They have succeeded with a balance of sensual designs and essential basics. … Read More
By Layla L’Obatti
The Delicate Art of Lace Then & Now ~ Carine Gilson
Carine Gilson 1930's Slip
Flashforward: No one carries on the beauty of lace applique in the lingerie world quite like Carine Gilson, her stunning pieces are unique in both their craftsmanship and beauty – with modern colors and silhouettes inspired by the classic tradition.
Flashback: The most delicate lace required an attention to detail and skilled … Read More
By Ellen Lewis
For a variety of reasons, financial, logistical and personal, it’s not always easy to attend trade shows. New York, Las Vegas, Miami, LA, Paris, Milan, Shanghai, Hong Kong there are a multitude of choices and as Intimate Apparel merchants and designers, we need to weigh the pros and cons. In my opinion, the biggest priority is the impact this investment will have on your bottom line. Like … Read More
By now, it must be very apparent that I get a kick out of finding a new product whose character is clearly defined by vision and quality. This time it’s the luxury designer collection from Minuit Douze showcased by the elegant In Showroom based in NYC. Made in France, this is a concept brand created to evoke the romance of travel to romantic venues often dreamed of but not always … Read More
By Marina Rybak
Every creative soul who has passionately and diligently toiled over a print-driven collection (intimate apparel especially) would acknowledge that textile prints are personal. The actual process of bringing a baby-print to life could be described either as a “labor of love” or as “belabored”, depending on its emotional history.
I have my own share of print hatching, creating original print-driven intimate apparel concepts. I also have the … Read More
When I first walked into Faire Frou Frou unannounced last week, Alison Rubke, the charismatic co-owner of this eponymous boutique was clearly surprised. We had tried to connect during several of my previous LA visits but never seemed to make it happen. Obligations always interfered; so this time, I did not want to make a promise I might not keep. It’s a bit of a trek from downtown Los Angeles … Read More
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