Posts in Tag

retro lingerie

By Michelle Metens

Most women have a never ending desire to deck themselves out and flaunt their best assets, and party season is the prime time of the year when we have a legitimate opportunity to do just that. But when it comes to Halloween, which is the kickoff for the fall party season, just exactly where does the urge to dress up as sexy bumble bee come from??

bee This Read More


By MICHELLE METENS

It wouldn’t be possible to talk about the history of sheer and slinky lingerie without talking about the science, research and development that went into creating the miracle fiber that most certainly played a role in the massive baby boom of the 1950s – nylon!

1 “Good heavens Miss Sakamoto – you’re beautiful!” Wallace Carothers, DuPont scientist and inventor of the nylon polyamide fiber.

Innovation in textile development … Read More


The minute I met Michelle Metens, owner and designer of Dollhouse Bettie, at Curve NY, I knew I was speaking to a merchandising soul mate.  Even ensconced in a wheelchair and in some serious pain; she broke her leg while setting up the show, Michelle was determined to make sure I understood her mission.  Deferring to reality, I convinced her that we would wait until after surgery to chat.  … Read More


Layla L’Obatti

flashback-historical-appliques copy

Putting together my last few posts it was hard not to see a distinct trend emerging, the revival of the appliqué. I think handmade brands like Honeycooler and Knickerocker (both coincidentally from California) are pioneering some of the most innovative and inventively playful design.  Then, I started to take note of more established luxury brands:  Carine Gilson and La Perla who have started incorporating shaped appliqued surface designs … Read More


By Layla L’Obatti

Flashforward/ Flashback – Frisky feline’sknickerocker-kitty-vintage-jumpsuit

Flashforward: Knickerocker’s adorable applique cat face bodysuit doesn’t initially strike you as something vintage inspired but more anime and cartoon with its blue-haired styling. Like my previous post on Schiaparelli highlighted, the use of trompe l’oeil to create false forms on the surface of designs has been around for a while and merely awaits a modern take to bring it into modern … Read More


By Layla L’Obatti

Flashforward/ Flashback – Knickerocker Rocks The Classic Applique Bow

bow-applique-shaper-bow-panty-knickerocker

Remember my post about Trompe L’oeil in reference to Schiaperelli a while back? Here is a perfect example in both vintage and modern lingerie.  Bows that are not bows in function or really in any way other than “shape”.

Flashback: Classic 1930’s girdle from the McCord Museum’s archives features a gorgeous example of trompe l‘oeil applique in a … Read More


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