EYES WIDE SHUT

Images via fashiongonrogue.com

I love lingerie. I love i-D magazine. And I LOVE Abbey Lee Kershaw (not in a stalker, star-fucker way; in a more oh-my-god-you're-such-an-amazing-model-and-yet-I-am-weirdly-creeped-out-by-the-combination-of-babyface-and-grown-up-body kind of way). So you can imagine how enamored with this spread I was in the 2010 Winter issue of i-D (shot by David Bailey, if you care.)

It also happens to feature one of the most underrated undergarments of life: the open-cup bra. Ladies and gentlemen, if you are still looking for a Christmas, late Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or New Years present for your “sexy-time” friend, I urge you to consider one of these humdingers... I can pretty much guarantee it WILL be a hit. For the naysayers out there, if properly constructed (and properly fit) they are no more uncomfortable than a traditional underwire bra. I would like add the caveat though, that unless you are Abbey Lee Kershaw, shooting for i-D magazine, I recommend avoiding painting eyeballs over your breasts (that can go from sexy to creepy faster than you can say, “Eye see you!”)

Here are a few of my favourite (and not so demure) options:Bordelle, “Open Zip Bra,” £105 (about $164) available from bordelle.co.uk

Andres Sarda, “Macba Image Cut Out Bra,” $245, from nancymeyer.com

Lascivious, “Roxy Black Bra,” £78 (about $122), available from lascivious.co.uk

OFF-KEY

The other day I came across this advert for LaSenza--if you're not familiar with the lingerie brands, think of LaSenza as Victoria Secret's Canadian cousin: moderately priced, average-quality lingerie (eh!)

I can't help but think the concept behind this ad could be clever... musical notes, cup sizes: they're both letters! Cute right? Yet somehow the end product is just a bit disturbing. Maybe its their supine posture and fake orgasm singing faces or maybe its all the serious ho ho ho-ing going on... whatever the reason, I am filing this commercial in the “lingerie advertising fail” category-- at least from the female perspective. If the objective was to weirdly titillate your male audience with an voyeuristic version of deck the halls... then way to go LaSenza marketing team!

HARD TO BE SOFT, TOUGH TO BE TENDER

Video via madebyniki.co.uk

My new favourite lingerie source: Made by Niki-- a UK based intimates designer that specializes in knickers that aren't too girly, and aren't too slutty... and have just the right amount of kink. I am obsessed with the String Bra (£125.00 or about $196) and High-Waisted Thong (£33.99 or about $53) featured in this video. Added bonus: the bra is fait sur mesure.... and really, is there anything more luxurious bespoke unmentionables? Not that I can think of...

BUT I'M STILL, I'M STILL AN ANIMAL

Images via fashiongonrogue.com

Daria Werbowy wears some seriously sexy Sabbia Rosa lingerie, the perfect colour grey thigh-highs + a big rock on her finger for French Vogue. Sabbia Rosa doesn't have a website, but if you happen to be in La Ville-Lumière, it is a definite must stop for lingerie aficionados.
Gosh I miss Paris.
Must be time to go back.

IT'S FRIDAY

Vanessa Bruno Spring-Summer 2010 "Le bel été"

Happy dance!
Dieu Merci C'est Vendredi.

PS. the thing she does at the beginning of the video with her hands flapping in front of her face... I literally do this ALL the time when there is a lull in a conversation I am having. I find it loosens the mood.

Nice to feel a kindred spirit on a Friday. Even if it is all a marketing ploy.

STAR-STUDED, STAR-SPANGLED + STAR-POWERED

(photos via fashiongonrogue.com)

This month, Vogue UK shot Kate Moss, Lily Donaldson and Lara Stone (among others) for the gold/star/ gold-star-themed "Star Girls" spread in their December issue. While I have trouble with the obvious pandering inherent in the supermodels plus shiny things formula, there were a few glints (pun intended) of the gilded underpinnings available this winter. And my are they glittery, but also... heavy-looking, no?

Well, just in time for the holiday season..
So shine on, I say.
Shine on.

Editors note: Lara's pasties + eyebrows pretty much makes her a rockstar.

And is it just me or is Kate Moss frozen in this position for all photographs she has taken since 2001? I confess, yes I did have to resist the urge to crop out her head, that's how bored I am.

MAKE 'EM MARCH

Gothstar by Pictureplane and Closer by Kings of Leon: two songs sexy enough to make you strut.

WHAT I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT LATELY

This is whats on my wall right now; the short list of what is on my mind.

This is beside my bed for night time reading.
Let's see what happens, shall we?

THE HARDER SIDE OF SOFT

A little lingerie inspiration via the Femme Fatales in Issue 22 of Wonderland Magazine.
Photographer: Aitken Jolly Fashion Editor: Anthony Unwin (photos via Fashionista.com)

UNDERPINNINGS: THE (REGR)ETSY EDITION

My roommate recently introduced me to a website that I have now become quite obsessed with, regretsy.com- an homage to of all the particularly strange creations that the open forum etsy.com yields. Though I have made many an etsy purchase, none have been lingerie related. And after perusing the selection of intimates available on Etsy today, I perhaps better understand why exactly this is. Thus I present you with a collection of lingerie fit for regretsy:


French Maid Black Open Butt/ Lace Control Panties (yes they're actually listed as this), $24, from EddieJames' shop


Electric Green + Pumpkin Orange "Ringleader's Wife Bustier" (again, not responsible for this laughable nomenclature), $65, from muirhughes' shop


Blueberry Saltwater Taffy Knit Pasties, $16, from MinervaMayhem's shop. N.B. the shop owner notes: "Pasties can be applied using fake eyelash glue, double-sided tape, or spirit gum" (what exactly is spirit gum?? Given the taffy reference, I have this image in my head of adhesive attempts using pre-chewed, well, taffy. Sticky.)


Women's USC G-String Thong, $7.99, from pmtreasurechest's shop. Insert Trojan man joke here.


Black and White feather costume bra, $110, from web55's shop. At least it's acknowledged as a "costume." So there's that....


Candy Girl Nipple Tassel Kit, $25, from Cheesecakeburlesque's shop. Comes complete with Tassel Twirling instructions and Cheesecake performer Collector Card: WIN.

Note to self: must have sewing machine's shipped soon....

IT'S LIKE LEATHA

Some Inspiration. Photo: from Defying Mainstream's "Pre-Issue" 'zine. I follow them on twitter. So should you.

Left: Re Collection Leather Bustier, $129.50 (on sale), from shopbop.com, Right: For the vegans/ animal conscious, a furry friendly option: LNA Bralette, $49, shopbop.com


Left: Hannah Marshall, Leather Bullet Swarovski Bra, $1152 , luisaviaroma.com, Right: Ann Demeulemeester Leather Bra, $247.50, from Lusiaviaroma.com
Right: Blouson Noir Leather Biker Bra Top, $1185, from Brownsfashion.com

I'm pretty sure its a million degrees in New York right now. So why, you might ask, am I writing a post dedicated to leather bras on this sweltering day? I'm not really sure I can come up with a decent reason... other than I am in love. Particularly with the Blouson Noir Leather Biker bra above.

Unconventional uses of leather greatly appeal to me, particularly as they have been applied to intimates design. Leather bras are evocative of a more aggressive female sexuality-- one that is grittier, and more apropos to my personal life and to the broader contemporary female in general. It's also a vaguely fetishistic garment and the fact that there are so many versions available on the market is, perhaps a testament to the unrivaled freedom of female sexuality in this day and age.

Plus, it's downright hot.

I've already purchased leather hotshorts (yes, you read that correctly. See below.) And now I'm considering adding a leather bra to my ever expanding intimates collection. After all, I am ALREADY consistently inappropriately dressed for the weather. Why not continue to play with fire?

Left: My Leather Hotshorts, worn many-a-time, from Abercrombie + Fitch, Right: N.B. the title of this post is quite obviously an homage to Stella "It's Like Letha" Zotis from project runway circa 2008, I've included a photo of her. Just 'cause.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

A few posts ago, I mentioned how I was bursting with excitement over the the upcoming strippable co-branding effort by ERES + CHANEL... shot by none other than Mr. Karl Lagerfeld himself. I recently received an email, announcing the online version of the aforementioned co-branding project. And let me tell you, neither the Kaiser nor ERES disappoints.

The process of removing a layer from the model is not so crude as the word "strippable" might lead one to think. In fact, its not at all the virtual striptease I imagined, because the genius coders have created a sort of bubble tool which removes a layer by the click of your mouse. The result is quite clever-- it allows you to remove part or all of the garment, so you can actually see CHANEL and ERES side by side, instead of simply one layer at a time. It's also entirely too much fun (N.B. I'm easily amused. REALLY, easily amused.) You can explore the co-branding magic yourself here, but it's highly addictive... users click at your own risk.

Karl Lagerfeld's love note about the project. If your French is a little rusty, it translates approximately, to the following:

CHANEL is a headquarters with many children who do not share the name. The house of ERES is part of that. CHANEL will occasionally make bathing suits and lingerie within the framework of a particular collection. On the contrary, ERES does only that, without taking on a shade of the strong image of CHANEL. To wear ERES lingerie under a CHANEL dress is a natural “fashion” step, modern and spontaneous. Normally, co-branding is done between two strangers—here it is in the family.

NOT LEWD BUT...

Been busy with a bit of personal business so it slipped my mind that I received this lovely little order from Lacivious. If you're not familiar with the brand, you should check out their website mostly because (allow me to get on my soapbox for a moment) they are NOT one of those lingerie brands that tends toward infantilizing female sexuality. Instead, their pieces present a more grown-up and overt female sexuality that oft devoid of bows, pink and lace embellishments. When I saw these I couldn't resist adorned culottes that didn't walk the delicate Lolita line, but I also find the nude/ black combination the terrifically pleasing... plus: fringe! holdups! And (full disclosure) they were on sale! Colour me one happy feminist. And the boyf doesn't seem to mind the lack of bows either.....

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Tilda Playing Lace Bra, $88 and matching briefs, $43, by Stella McCartney, available from net-a-porter.com

Perhaps it is a bit of an oxymoron to say "understated leopard print," but I find this kit by Stella McCartney is just that-- restrained yet racy, with just a hint of delicious brutishness. And while I have never been a fan of lace (at least in the way of women's undergarments) I find this application by McCartney a seductive embodiment of what the modern woman wants to wear underneath it all.... meowwwww.

BUSTIN' OUT

Kettle Black Studded Bustier, $253, from shopbop.com

File this under "lingerie as outerwear" (unless you enjoy tiny pyramids on your breasts, protruding from underneath your tee, in which case, by all means....)

LOVE'S WHAT I GOT. DON'T START A RIOT.

1-Skeleton Bra, $150, by VPL, from ssense.com
2-Silk Georgette underwire bra, $125, by Burberry, from net-a-porter.com
3-Soire Molded Bra, $51, by Cosabella, from journelle.com
4-Curveball Bustier, $150, by The Lake & The Stars, from barneys.com
5-Vintage Silk Bralet, $40, from Topshop.com
6-Tulle Trimmed Silk-Blend Bra, $75, by 3.1 Philip Lim, from net-a-porter.com
7-Polka-dot silk-satin bra, $85, by 3.1 Philip Lim, from net-a-porter.com
8-Eden Silk-Chiffon triangle bra, $320, by Jean Yu, from net-a-porter.com
9-Kristina Ti Lace High-Waisted Bra, $190, luisaviaroma.com

WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO: STRIPPABLE ERES + THE KAISER

What could be MORE exciting than a strippable lookbook from my coups de coeur, lingerie evil geniuses Eres? Why, a strippable lookbook shot by Karl Lagerfeld featuring Chanel of course! While I haven't actually seen said lookbook (its purportedly a "set of cards" according to fashionista) I adore the idea of two sister brands teaming up to create a virtual paperdoll out of Emily Didonato. Add in the subversive play with the taboo of removing a model/ woman/ doll's clothing AND the Kaiser factor.... and I have come to the conclusion that MUST find a copy of this book cum card set. Because let's face it, even the behind the scenes candids look chic:

ALL HAIL HOLD-UPS!

Anyone who has known me for any length of time can tell you I wear pants with a rarity that is rivaled only by Lady Gaga. This isn't to say you will find me walking around New York in my skivvies (I try to keep my public near-nudity to a minimum...) I just happen to prefer skirts, shorts, dresses and oh yeah, STOCKINGS! I love, love, LOVE my nylons, tights and thigh highs-- and notably more than any normal person should. So I am, by extension, equally infatuated with garter belts (well apparently MORE since I'm posting about them.)

I'm sort of partial to the high-waisted variety... maybe its because they conjure up the covert, sexy femme fatale of yesteryear. But waist-cinching or no, there's something about knowing you have a pair of foxy garters on under your every day clothes that makes you feel undeniably alluring. Obviously, I could extoll the virtues of hold-ups for eons but frankly, I think we'd all rather look at pretty pictures. So I will happily oblige with my a few of my coups de coeur:

Mesh Magic-Bum Girdle, $130.50, from Made by Niki available through figleaves.com

Satin Teese (as in Dita Von) High-Rise Waist-Cinching Suspender, $32, by Wonderbra, available through figleaves.com

Silk Suspender,$105, by Myla Body, from Journelle

Marlene Four Garters Girdle Skirt, $52.99, from stockingirl.com

LOOKS TO KILL + CHEAP THRILLS

There is no way you will catch me combining the word "recession" with the dreaded "ista" suffix (MAJOR pet peeve of LIFE!) But I think there is something to be said for being chic on the cheap. Especially when it comes to lingerie. Budget lingerie is usually garish colours, ill-fitting and covered in tacky synthetic lace BUT there are always exceptions to the rule, so here are a few of my pocketbook-friendly picks (there's a little something for everyone):

THE MADONNA:Floral Lace Wireless by GapBody, $29.50, gap.com

THE ROCKER:

Forever 21 Mineral Advantage Bodysuit, $7.99, forever21.com

THE GIRL NEXTDOOR:Boudoir Mesh Contrast Longline Bra, $30.44, asos.com

THE VAMP:

Fishnet split cup bra set, $32, and matching garter, $20, from fredricks.com