Luxury Lingerie Shopping

One of the things that I love about spring collections is the fact that they are usually so brilliantly looking, so stunning and definitely colorful.  Although these two pieces do not portray all of that, there are a few other things about spring collections, especially in lingerie that the pieces should reflect; romantic.  I think that romantic lingerie is some of the best lingerie in the world and it is certainly some of the most beautiful.

This is why Myla is one of the best and certainly some of the top pieces in the world.  These two incredible lingerie pieces are Myla lingerie pieces and while they were not specifically designed for the springtime, I think that they definitely reflect spring in every way possible!

So if you are looking to lingerie this spring, you need to make sure that you think romantic and that you totally think colorful.  You never, ever want to get something that is going to be extremely blah this season, think color!

A must-see from TLP lingerie blog.

“Gorgeous camisoles with lace finishes, knicker style pants in deep rich colours, and pretty matching bra and panty sets make up the winter collection. Summer sees translucent black garments with long lines of white lace embellishments, wonderful white bras with gathered bust and delicate accent bow, frilly pink colored chemises, and canary yellow bra and matching panty sets.”

Some photo previews:

From Elise Anderegg Lingerie; TLP.

Kiki de Montparnasse, a lingerie collection that “empowers exploration of fantasy and communication of desire”, creates sophisticated undergarments that can be defined as innerwear or outerwear. Browsing through the Best Sellers selection on the company website, particularly the Amour collection, one can see why this is a fabulously, luxurious line of lingerie. Satin chiffon, French laces and exquisite details embodied in a dreamy flowing Goddess Gown, mini Maiden Slip, wrap teddy, babydoll top and bloomers.

Aside from being a luxury line of lingerie, the pieces offer unique creativity. One of those inventive pieces is the Garter Tank, an ingenious long tank top with satin garters. Another feature of the Kiki collection is the “Pin Up” line. The Sauvage includes a ruffled pin up bra with vintage inspired corset styled ruffled panty both made to resemble the lingerie the Pin Up Girls wore in earlier years.

Not only are the garments impressive, but the two flagship boutiques were created with the same emphasis to detail, luxury and quality as the lingerie. The Los Angeles, California boutique, pretentiously landscaped with gardens, speakeasy-inspired gates and a courtyard fountain, boasts three thousand square feet of space with velvet dressing rooms, fireplace and candles throughout.

And while it should be noted that some of the items are indeed of a fantasy nature, there is nothing trashy or shabby about them. On the contrary, the items are pure extravagance. Take for example the silver tipped riding crop or the feather tickler with leather wrapped handle.

Girlfriends of the bride looking for a bridal shower gift at Kiki, can expect to find a gorgeous and expensively handmade beaded blindfold in silk satin and French lace. Or maybe they prefer to give her the lavish ten foot pearl restraints which come with a price tag of $4200.

Now that is luxury!

The official site is right here. More on Kiki de Montparnasse on The Lingerie Post!

Lala Rose, Miss Lala and Mia are all collections by Lebanese luxury lingerie designer Stephanie Abidjaoudi. An exclusive collection, only found in the best lingerie boutiques around the world, Lala Rose is a relative newcomer to the luxury lingerie industry having started in 2003. But that has not stopped Lala Rose from become a well -deserved name with its own factory of thirty-five employees. Considering Stephanie started out by hand-making her precious creations, she has come a long way in a short period of time.

Made exclusively with high quality silks, cottons, and laces, the garments are bright, colourful and reminiscent of long-gone eras. In fact, the Summer 2008 Collection, Miss Monroe, is a dedication to Marilyn Monroe with gorgeous pink camisoles and bikini panties, canary yellow spaghetti strapped camis with long pants and fabulously red bustiers. The collection is playful, vibrant and sexy and is meant to bring out the star in every woman while at the same time letting out the child in her.

The story behind the name for the business is interesting. Princesses in Morocco are called Princess Lalla and their first names. While Stephanie attended a wedding in Morocco, the other guests called her Lalla Stephanie which is princess. So she named her company Lala Rose.

Stephanie’s designs are so highly coveted that she was chosen to design the wedding trousseau for Saudi King Abdallah’s granddaughter. In 2006, her collection centered on Jackie Onassis creating the pieces from tulle, vintage materials, colourful silks, Swarovski diamantes and plenty of pretty lace.

When once asked in an interview if she was happy with the number of locations that sold her collections, Stephanie answered by saying that she was very picky about what types of stores retailed her products. She would rather have a few upper brow stores than many low-end shops selling her line. And she is not kidding when she makes this remark. A new very high-end store (Sex&…) in Miami opened in November 2007 selling only the most expensive products from around the world. Lala Rose’s complete Marie Antoinette line adorned its rightful position in this posh store. The price tag on an underwire bra was two thousand US dollars. Add the matching panties and the set cost five thousand dollars.

Now that is luxury!

French women have always known how to wear luxury lingerie. Fine undergarments are part of their culture and heritage. Even hundreds of years ago, lingerie was important and today Ravage embodies lingerie’s true spirit. “Flit around in Ravage Lingerie”, the company’s catch phrase says it all. Wearing the splendid designs from Ravage and one is reduced to flitting like a pretty songbird in spring.

Intricate workmanship, absolute femininity and pure beauty are characteristics of Ravage’s delicate garments carefully crafted in Calais Lace from France, Mantilla Lace from Spain and luxurious ribbons. Fragile and delicate daisies are the main theme in their Signature Collection. From the Salsa corset to the hot pink Extreme bra and panty set, every part of this collection is beautiful.

Reviewing the Vintage Pictures section is a rare treat. Breathtaking designs of floral appliqués, intense colours and creative styles and one can only be proud to wear this fine lingerie collection.

Ravage’s promotional materials describe their lines as “hyper luxurious materials with irresistible greedy colors.” They complete the brochure with the line “To savour without moderation”. Indeed! More info and lingerie on ravage.fr!

A common expression is “history repeats itself”. How true that is with vintage inspired lingerie. Peruse vintage or retro lingerie and clothing shops and second hand boutiques and you will see that everything is picked over the minute it arrives. Everyone is looking for heirloom dresses, antique corsets and vintage jewelry.

But it is not necessary to spend countless hours searching for actual pieces of lingerie that have made it down through the generations. Many designers now specialize in vintage inspired collections. One such designer is Tia Lyn whose collection must be seen. Night gowns and dresses adorned with old-fashioned lace reminiscent of the eighteen hundreds, pretty girlish bows on camisoles and underpanties and gorgeous white garter belts with satin bows bring us back to a time when a girl’s only focus was to act like a lady.

Another incredible collection is Christine Vancouver, which is the company name. The designer’s name is Christine Morton. Although Oprah is seen wearing a pair of her pyjamas on the cover of O magazine, the Christine Vancouver design was already a phenomenal success in its own right. Christine’s designs are exclusively silk embellished with imported antique lace and can only be found in the most prestigious bridal and lingerie boutiques around the world.

Christine’s story is so unique that it requires mentioning. Her fascination with silk and antique lace caused her to amass the largest private collection in Canada. She then used it to start her one-of-a-kind, limited edition lingerie business. She was, and still remains, a leader in the creation of Victorian inspired designs, heirloom blouses and antique lace camisoles and chemises. Her vision has stood the test of time as she celebrates over thirty years in the business.

One final notation in the world of vintage lingerie is a New Zealand company called Peachy Keen who offers custom-made vintage inspired corsets. The satin corsets come in both full-over-bust and under-bust styling. Because the designs are made by a New Zealand costumier, the company is able to offer the corsets in custom detailing. On-the- rack corsets come in sizes ten through sixteen in three colors of black, blue and pink but the customer may choose bigger sizes, the fabric itself and the design if the corset is made especially for her.

So if your desire is to time travel, looking for lingerie from another era, look first for the modern-day designers who specialize in vintage inspired designs.

Patricia Fieldwalker is another luxury lingerie designer whose collections take your breath away when viewing. The home page speaks volumes for the collection. Luxurious light blue silk decorated with only the finest lace in a gorgeous long gown.

Named Adagio, the collection combines the rich history of European lingerie with modern day North American influences. The most expensive fabrics are used in silk, cotton and velvet adorned with prestigious Calais laces and other imported European trimmings. Everything is sewn under strict quality regulations in their own factory in Canada and the lacework is lovingly hand sewn.

Fabulously regal pieces come in daywear, nightwear and cruise or resort wear, tailored or loose fitting, and many pieces are easily worn on the outside instead of under clothing. Perusing the collection one knows that this is luxury at its finest. Style: IR-290 – Stretch Lace Boy Leg Tanga Panty is made from iridescent purple and black stretch lace from Calais, France. What makes this label different from the others is the whole panty is made of the lace not just the trimmings. When the website says, “drop dead gorgeous”, the company really means it.

Moving on to the chemise collection, style: 10308ST – Miami Lace Chemise, is simply exquisite. Made of silk charmeuse in Miami pink, the bodice is completely stretch lace with a gorgeous lace triangle inlay in the back of the chemise. The floral mixed blue or mixed pink flirt chemise is so stunning in a unique fabric called Crinkle Polyester. Expensive silk charmeuse trimmings make up the bottom ruffle. One cannot be sure if this beautiful number is outerwear or innerwear. But it would look sexy on a cruise or even walking the beach.

Reviewing the selection of pyjamas, the colours are intense in blackberry and crimson silk. Indeed, there is no doubt that the Patricia Fieldwalker Adagio collection deserves a place with the highest end lingerie products available. All of the best magazines have photographed the line and it remains a solid luxury collection.

We’re back with a pretty nice scoop; the upcoming Amor Latino summer 2008 lingerie collection! The Argentinian brand has just added new pictures to their sexy website and I spotted them just in time to post them here before our friend-blogs like The Lingerie Post or The Daily Treat! Ha!

The sexy photos are on amor-latino.com.ar. You’ll want to browse to “colleciones”, and then click the “Verano 08″ link. The website is Spanish-only, so nothing I can do

Ever since seeing Ayten on The Lingerie Post for the first time, I’ve been a fan. Her work is always very inspiring, and it seems like the lingerie world is picking up on that. Now, luxury lingerie retailer La Magia has decided to add Ayten Gasson to their ever expanding list of brands. Great work!

Again TLP has introduced the FW07 pieces on their blog last week, with accompanying images from the La Magia website. I can only advise you to go take a look, both on the always ahead-of-the-curve TLP blog as on La Magia!

Here’s a selection of pics: