By TINA WILSON
We all have to admit the retail world is topsy turvy and what should be… isn’t. Almost nothing surprises us anymore. Which leads me to my current observation about sport bras. Technically they are meant to be worn while being “sporty” and the attention they are being given would have me conclude that there are millions of sporty women buying these bras, but I have a slightly … Read More
Aubade
The summer Lingerie Shows, such as Curve, are replete with swimwear brands. Many of the companies that have established Intimate Apparel businesses are equally adept in swimsuit development. Take, for example Freya, Elomi, Fantasie, Rosa Faia, Lise Charmel, Antigel, Empreinte and Aubade to name a few. Labels well respected for their unique style are developing and launching successful swimwear collections regularly. Skin Lingerie comes to mind. And, as hybrid … Read More
Silent Arrow
Seasonal trends, as we know them, are over. That is not to say, that there are not design messages. It’s simply that these messages overlap, moving fluidly between key intimate and RTW classifications; blurring boundaries. Leggings become pants, Robes become jackets, Bodysuits and bras become blouses. And Pajamas go everywhere. Concepts Paris calls this Hybrid dressing. It is a perfect definition of the evolution (revolution) occurring in a … Read More
I’ve been mulling over this Sports bra story for several months now. This niche is expanding in the marketplace as companies introduce multiple options every season. But, I believe that unlike the shapewear craze that saturated the lingerie landscape several years ago and then slowly dissipated, this business will continue to evolve in brand inventories. Here’s why. The market explosion in this category speaks volumes about the American lifestyle. The … Read More
I’m in a blue state of mind, but luckily for me, I left the country this week for a winter distraction in Paris. The city is full of hidden treasures like this amazing glass dome in the Printemps Department store. Maybe it inspired this season’s trend in swimwear, blue graphics. For those of you still ensconced in the ice and snow that is swallowing up a good portion of North … Read More
Having just returned to the grey, cold countenance of New York in December, it does seem a bit counter-intuitive that today I am circling in on a swimwear trend. But for many northerners, winter is getaway time and in fact, my home base of Cabo is just beginning its peak tourist season. I never truly grasped the impact that beachwear has on the retail market until I began living in … Read More
By KIMBERLY BERGER
I was 26 years old when I began working in the swimwear industry. Back then the largest size in a bikini was an XL, mix and match separates were unheard of, tankinis didn’t exist and one piece suits only came two flavors: old lady florals with full coverage or a no support tank style, usually in a color block. Twenty years later, and the swimwear market caters … Read More