The Lingerie Addict: CurveNY SS14

The Lingerie Addict shared the highlights of Spring/Summer 2014 lingerie at CurveNY in her post "NYC Lingerie Market S/S 2014."

"In what’s apparently become a new Lingerie Addict tradition, I got sick again during this season’s market and wound up bedridden, most regrettably during most of our industry’s big lingerie tradeshow,CurveNY. Honestly, for the last few weeks, I’ve been debating if I should even write a market week roundup. Most of my photos are on my iPhone and were meant, not for this blog post, but as bookmarks for which booths to visit again when I returned to the Javits center. Still, there are a few designers and a few items that I wanted to make sure I spotlight this season because I saw some amazing work that deserves to be featured front and center. There won’t be as much text as usual accompanying this year’s report (sitting down and talking with everyone was also on my to-do list for the next day), but I hope you can forgive me."

Racial Diversity on NYFW Runways

There has been a lack of racial diversity among models on the runways, even in this years New York Fashion Week. An article on NYMag describes a former model agency owner's effort to break the silence and confront this issue.
http://nymag.com/thecut/2013/09/givhan-confronting-the-lack-of-black-models.html

Bethann Hardison, the former model agency owner who has been a leading advocate for greater diversity on the fashion runway, has gone live with an international roll call of design houses whose actions she characterizes as “racist” due to the lack of black models in their fall 2013 shows.
A strongly worded letter, posted at the website Balance Diversity reads, in part:

“Eyes are on an industry that season after season watches fashion design houses consistently use … one or no models of color. No matter the intention, the result is racism. Not accepting another based on the color of their skin is clearly beyond 'aesthetic' when it is consistent with the designer’s brand. Whether it’s the decision of the designer, stylist or casting director, that decision to use basically all white models, reveals a trait that is unbecoming to modern society.”

"Bloggers!" on YouTube

If you missed The Underfashion Club blogging seminar, it's not too late to hear the valuable information that was shared. In this seminar, we discussed blogging with the minds behind three popular lingerie blogs: The Lingerie Addict, The Breast Life, and The Lingerie Lesbian. Learn about the value of their practice and how it affects the lingerie industry as a whole. The interviewees were...

Cora Harrington of The Lingerie Addict:
http://www.thelingerieaddict.com/
Elizabeth Dale of The Breast Life:
http://www.thebreastlife.com/
Caroline Elenowitz of The Lingerie Lesbian:
http://thelingerielesbian.com/

LingerieFW Spring/Summer 2014

The next LingerieFW will take place on August 1-3 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City! Learn more about this showcasing of Spring/Summer 2014 ‪fashions‬ in the intimate apparel industry on The Lingerie Journal.
http://thelingeriejournal.com/lingeriefw-returns-august-1-3-2013/

"Available on LingerieFW.com, the Official SS14 Schedule includes: Rococo Dessous, the first lingerie line made of 24-karat gold thread, worldwide leader in retro-inspired lingerie & stockings Secrets in Lace, presenting Secrets in Lace, Bettie Page Lingerie & Stockings and Dita Von Teese Stockings, global powerhouse and full bust leader Affinitas & Parfait, playfully seductive Lola Haze lingerie & loungewear, lingerie-RTW fusion NOE Undergarments, lingerie & lounge lines Lola Haze and Uye Surana showing in a combined Presentation, fashion-forward nursing & maternity line You! Lingerie, and innovative NaïS lingerie & loungewear and decadent Nevaeh Intimatesshowing in a combined Made in NY Presentation." - Luis Paredes

Behind The Seams on Lingerie Talk

Lingerie Talk has a post about an exhibit that explores mechanical clothing, with women's undergarments being the main focus. They have transformed over time as certain female figures shifted in and out of fashion.

"The pursuit of a perfect figure — however culture and custom defined it — has transfixed humanity for centuries. And a new exhibition opening in Paris today reveals that this most unapologetic expression of vanity isn’t confined to women alone. The history of mechanical manipulations of human anatomy through undergarments is given a thorough and very serious examination in Behind The Seams: An Indiscreet Look At The Mechanics of Fashion, which runs until Nov. 24 at the Museum of Decorative Arts in The Louvre. (Yes, leave it to the French to put their undies on display — in the Louvre, no less!)" - Richard on Undressing History: The Louvre Looks At The Mechanics Of Fashionable Shapes

Articulated pannier and whalebone corset, circa 1740-60

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Lingerie Through The Ages

Fashion is always changing, especially in the realm of lingerie. See how the cuts, styles, and stitchings of bras, knickers, slips, stockings, and more have changed throughout each decade on SFGate.com.

 http://blog.sfgate.com/chronstyle/2013/06/12/lingerie-through-the-ages/

Spring/Summer 2014 Lingerie Trends

The Underfashion Club's "A report on the Paris Show" on March 16, 2013 at The Cutting Room, NYC!



Spring/Summer 2014 Fabrics Presentation by CURVEexpo
"Seen at the Show" by Ellen Lewis on Lingerie Briefs 
Spring/Summer 2014 Trends by CARLIN Paris

Midnight Garden - Interviews

Each of the contestants in the "Midnight Garden" Student Design Contest told us a little bit about their pieces and the inspiration behind them in their interviews!

Tiffany Spagnuolo with Dark Bloom

1st Prize

Tessa Saccone with Moonlit Azaleas
2nd Prize

Sara Shanahan with Nocturnal Blossom

3rd Prize

Erin Brennan with Fleur de Rave

Judy Yang with Midnight Petals

Alina Kulik with Wilting Dream

DIY Shimmering Tights

Don't own a pair of shimmering tights? Transform one of your own tights with glitter, just in time for the holidays! The Beauty Thesis has a photo guide:

http://thebeautythesis.com/2012/10/19/glitterize-a-pair-of-tights-and-42-other-ways-to-add-glitter-to-your-life-because-you-just-cant-have-enough-glitter/

Lingerie for the Winter

Does your lingerie collection change according to the season? As the cold winter approaches, you might want to consider lingerie designed for warmth. There's a whole variety of bodysuits, camisoles  and gorgeous embroidered pieces that can be worn seamlessly underneath warm knit sweaters.

Lingerie Talk shares their thoughts some great warm styles on their website.

"The trees are bare, the sun is setting earlier and winter is almost upon us: it’s time to reach for cuddly sweaters and extra layers to keep cozy! The transition to cooler weather and the approaching holiday season also make this time of year the perfect opportunity to re-evaluate and add different pieces to your lingerie wardrobe.
Now that skimpy T-shirts are out, and thicker layers and knits are in, try experimenting with adding a seamed bra to your collection. A bra with seams almost always offers better lift (that’s Empreinte‘s Ophelia above). And for those bustier gals, a seamed bra creates the most effective minimization.
Are your blouses forever popping open? Tired of hiding behind a sweater and forever safety pinning your shirts? A seamed bra creates a more streamlined silhouette across the bustline, which can banish pulling and gapping at the buttons. Try it!"

Read more: http://www.lingerietalk.com/2012/11/14/lingerie-trends/is-your-lingerie-ready-for-winter.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LingerieTalk+%28Lingerie+Talk%29

New York Fashion Week 2012

New York Fashion Week came to a close yesterday. Trends and statistics have been rounded up, revealing the effects this last week has had on fashion, their designers, and their social media!

Learn about it on Mashable: http://mashable.com/2012/09/14/fashion-week-twitter-2/

Printing A Bikini

The world's first printable piece of clothing is here thanks to advancements in fashion and technology! This 3D printer is able to print ready-to-wear bikinis made of Nylon 12. A laser melts the nylon together layer by layer with extreme precision to create a custom designed bikini right before your eyes. It's truly fascinating.

"Ever wanted to make your very own bikini before you jet off abroad but lack the sewing skills needed to create your dream look?Well look no further than N12 bikini, the world's first first ready-to-wear, completely 3D-printed article of clothing. A revolution combining fashion and technology, all of the pieces are made directly by 3D printing, and snap together without a single spot of sewing."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2191511/World-s-PRINTABLE-piece-clothing-Bikini-3D-printer.html#ixzz24UjFbSDm

The Underfashion Club: Mode City Paris Report

Our Paris Report seminar is now up on YouTube! If you missed it or wanted to see it again, you can watch the report on the MODE CITY PARIS Lingerie & Beachwear Show, presented by Mayouri Sengchanh of Carlin International here: http://youtu.be/hxSfD03vWGY

5 Fashion Rules

There are 5 fashion rules that everyone should follow, no matter what their style or size is. The first and most important fashion rule of the 5 listed is to make sure you're wearing great underwear! As the article on this blog states, "The foundation to looking good lies in having good foundation garments."

Which of these 5 rules do you put the most faith into?
http://fashion-toop.blogspot.com/2012/07/5-fashion-rules-all-women-should-follow.html

Lingerie From 500 Years Ago

A discovery that changes the history of fashion and lingerie in particular has been uncovered from beneath the floorboards of an Austrian castle. The sets of lingerie show characteristics of garments that were thought to be invented relatively recently. However, these date back to the 15th century. This brings the history of women's undergarments back several hundred years!


Read more about this exciting discovery on Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2174568/Austrian-dates-bras-15th-century-The-scraps-lace-castle-vault.html#ixzz21Bz06mxI

"It is hardly racy by today’s standards but this skimpy lingerie has certainly shocked historians.The lace and linen undergarments date back to hundreds of years before women’s underwear was thought to exist.They had lain hidden in a vault beneath the floorboards of an Austrian castle since  the 15th centuryDespite their state of decay, the knickers bear more than a passing resemblance to the string bikini briefs popular today, while the bra has the fitted cups and delicate straps of its modern-day counterparts.While it was known that medieval men wore undergarments like modern-day shorts, it was thought that women simply wore a smock or chemise.It was thought that knickers didn’t make an appearance until the late 18th century. Bras were thought to be an even more modern invention, not appearing until around 100 years ago.Hilary Davidson, fashion curator at the Museum of London, said the discovery ‘totally rewrites’ fashion history, adding: ‘Nothing like this has  ever come up before.’ She believes it is ‘entirely probable’ that something similar was worn by Britain’s medieval women. ‘These finds are a very exciting insight into the way people dressed in the Middle Ages,' she continued.‘It’s rare that everyday garments of any kind survive from this period, let alone underwear.’The undergarments were among almost 3,000 fragments of clothing and other detritus found in Lengberg Castle in East Tyrol during recent renovations.It is thought that they were buried when the building was extended in 1480 and that the exceptionally dry conditions stopped the fragile garments from disintegrating over the centuries.Beatrix Nutz, of Innsbruck University, who made the find, initially faced scepticism but radiocarbon-dating tests confirmed her suspicions. The haul included four bras and two pairs of pants. Two of the bras resemble modern counterparts but the others are described rather bluntly as ‘shirts with bags’, the August issue of the BBC History Magazine reports."

Sheer Trend Spring/Summer 2012

Sheer clothing is back in style this year. It's a beautiful look that's light and allows the skin to breath through the scorching summer heat. This style that allows lingerie to show through clothing, so the line between the look being elegantly fun and too revealing is quite fine. Fashionising discusses how the sheer trend arose and, if you're not too sure how to wear it, gives useful tips on sheerness and layering.

Read it here: http://www.fashionising.com/trends/b--see-through-clothes-sheer-fashion-953.html

"Sheer clothing: how wear it this summer.  It's the trend that dared to bare and won. Sheer fashion remains a statement to make in spring / summer 2012, and our guide takes you through all the looks, from the subtle to the sexual, from the monochromatic to the colourful. Read on to find out all you need to know."

Swimsuits For Every Body

No matter what your body shape may be, there is a swimsuit out there that's made for on you! Shape Magazine interviewed experts and have organized swimwear suggestions for women of 10 different silhouettes!

Here's an example of one of the body types they have suggestions for.

"NARROW SHOULDERS & MINIMIZE HIPS
This one-piece by Laundry narrows shoulders and showcases the beautiful line from the neck to the collarbone. Gathered fabric hugs the body (in all the right places) for a very comfortable fit."

Read more here:
http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/best-swimsuits-flatter-every-figure

Lingerie by Body Type

Certain lingerie styles just seem to work best on certain body types. If the shape of your body pear-like, curvy, straight, or athletic, Women's Health has expert recommendations on what lingerie would look amazing on you!

Read the tips here: http://www.womenshealthsa.co.za/beauty-style/what-to-wear/what-lingerie-is-best-for-your-figure?page=600

Underfashion Club Social Media Seminar

The Underfashion Club hosted a panel discussion of Social Media. Moderated by Ellen Lewis from Lingerie Briefs, the discussion covered Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LInked In, and Blogs. The panel consisted of: Guido Campello, VP of Branding & Innovation, Cosebella; Dan Sackrowitz, VP Marketing, Bare Necessities; and Aaron Mandlebaum, Web Marketing Manage, Big M (Mandee's).

Choosing Lingerie For Your Body Type

Lingerie shopping can be a daunting experience if you aren't sure about what would work best with your body. Before you go shopping for lingerie, realistically analyze and consider your figure. Without being too critical, look into the mirror and make an overall assessment about what you’re working with. Choose the areas of your body that you’re proud of and willing to bring out and be aware of areas that you’d rather downplay. Your lingerie should showcase the most appealing portions of your body while concealing areas you don’t feel quite as confident about. There are plenty of different options for lingerie style. What would work best for you depends on your body type and what you’re aiming to do with your figure.

            The bust certainly gets a lot of attention, making it important to be sure that you adorn your bosom appropriately to maximize your appeal. If you have a small bust that you wish to add some volume to, try a style that brings the bust out. Halter styles can do wonders to enhance your cleavage by pulling the bust up and in. Wearing something with tiered ruffles gives volume and a sweet feminine vibe. When looking for a lift, you can’t go wrong with a push-up bra with some padding and underwire for extra support. If you feel that your build is too slim, two-piece lingerie is recommended to construct a curvy hourglass impression. Boy shorts also look great with this type of figure.

            If you have a larger upper body with a tummy, your body type could be described as apple-shaped. In this case, a goal is to disguise that tummy and redirect attention to parts of your body that you feel confident about. Strategically choose differing colors for two-piece lingerie. Having a darker color for your bottom than your top slims down your tummy and balances your proportions. Drive the attention to your bust with something low-cut or a bustier to accentuate your cleavage. If you have larger breasts, bandeau styles, plunging neckline, and ruffle trims could work very well for you. Avoid padding and opt for something more subtle.

If you’re pear-shaped with bountiful hips, thighs, and buttocks that you’re looking to narrow down, this can be done with long, flowing lingerie. Gowns that drape around the upper thigh such as babydoll teddies, tunic-style tanks, and negligees cling to your curves and are useful for hiding the top bit of your thighs, especially if there are some ruffles along the hem. Corsets can also be used to draw attention upwards and take 2-3 inches from your waistline while bringing out your bust and cleavage. Boy shorts could also compliment a full bottom very nicely.

A few extra tips to keep in mind: If you’re tall, consider emphasizing the length of your legs with a garter belt. It gives a classic kind of sexy that works best with height. Darker colors are known for giving a slimming effect, so use them for any areas that you’d like to cut down or deemphasize. Lastly but most importantly, be sure to buy your lingerie in the correct size! Wearing something too tight or too loose could be uncomfortable and just won’t look as great on you as something specifically built for your body type. Be comfortable with yourself and revel in your sex appeal. When you radiate confidence, you’re irresistible.