Inspiring Images.

Just what you need in January.

Macabre.

Lake and Stars presents their new couture collection, in a very creepy way....

Graduate Talent.

All the way back in Febuary at the Moda Lingerie and Swimwear show, the work of Phoebe Burgess caught my eye. Flicking through the pages of the De Montfort University Fashion Contour inventory, I saw her talented work and wanted to know more.


The inspiration for her collection came from origami and puzzles, looking at
Hussein Chalayan for inspiration on new ways to include shapes on the body, and this formed the basis to her collection.

I asked Phoebe if there were any particular provocations in creating a contour based collection.

"The challenge you face from doing contour over outerwear is that the fit must be perfect, if any measurement is at least a millimetre out then everything can look wrong. sometimes with outerwear you can wing it if the measurements don't add up."

Phoebe is currently working hard to save money in order to set up her own business, and has been shown a lot of interest from her collection.

Keep your eyes on this talent, as Phoebe is already mid-way through her next collection!

(Ben Lycett - Photographer, Rebecca Frances - MUA, Cassie Odavist - Model.)

WOULD YOU WEAR?: Underwear as Outerwear?

It's the new rage.

Corsets, slips and lace worn as everyday clothes.

On the plus side, the trend saves YOU money. A lace top, for example, is a piece you can wear under your clothes one day and as the highlight of your outfit the next.

The counterargument is, well, you're rocking your drawers out in public.

My opinion? I'm all for the underwear as outerwear look. Like any good thing (i.e. Louboutins, chocolate, candy), the trend is better in moderation. If you wear head-to-toe lace, you look like a Burlesque dancer, a stripper or Lady Gaga.

But by pairing a corset with a blazer or a lace top with a circle skirt. you achieve the perfect balance of sultry and sophisticated.

When worn the right away, this trend gives your everyday look the most alluring hint of sexiness.

Scroll below for celebrities that get the look RIGHT and some options to nail the trend in your everyday wardrobe:

Rihanna pairs a corset with leggings and a baggy white shirt.

A blazer and boyfriend jeans tone down Eve's racy black and sheer corset.

Don't you just love Zoe Saldana? She's so chic! Here, she lets her bra peek out of her demure button-down shirt and pencil skirt.

What's sexier and more romantic than lace? Leighton Meester pairs her see-through lace turtleneck with a pair of loose-fitting pants.

Fitted pants and a blazer are the perfect accents to LaLa's baby blue corset top. Adorable!

Check out some Glamazon-approved underwear as outerwear pieces from American Apparel, ASOS and more!

More Asos...

Would you wear the look? Discuss.

Kisses,

Coutura

Princesse is 25.

Brand Princesse Tam Tam, is celebrating its 25th birthday this summer. It all began when Loumia Hiridjee and her sister saw a need for pretty silk and cotton boxers for girls...and the brand lives on! The anniversary collection is available at the end of May 2010.

Prettiest of the Pretty.

Some of the lingerie images I adore at the moment...

Introducing Colette.

'Wild Hearts'

Collette Dinnigan Runway

Australian Designer Collette Dinnigan has designed an intimates collection for Marks and Spencer. The designer has previously produced collections for the store but under the name 'Wild Hearts'. Known for her red carpet dresses, Collette has designed the prettiest lingerie which echo her own runway, such as classic cream sets, and floral print chemises.

Bra recycling.

Hertsmere Borough Council collected 17,913 bras weighing just over one ton in special pink recycling bins, which can now be reused by women in poorer countries. They also donated £1,000 to the Breast Cancer Campaign charity, £1 for every kilo collected.

Councillor Jean Heywood, Environment Portfolio Holder said ''By recycling your bras not only will less waste be sent to landfill but women in poorer countries will benefit and you will be helping to fund research into breast cancer.''

I think every council across the U.K. should take note of this, I know most women have a few olds bras stuffed at the back of their drawers, which could be so useful in poorer countries.

DimitySO

Ive just come across new brand DimitySO, the name doesn't really role off the tounge but the garments themselves are much more beautiful. Launched for SS10, this range starts at a D cup and goes on to a J cup. Which is about time larger girls are spoilt with a bit of choice ( I shall be telling a few friends about this brand). The supportive styles give way for luxurious fabrics, and vivid florals and pastels are bang on trend for SS10. You can buy DimitySO from www.figleaves.com

Lucile.

Mimi Holliday

Damaris

I popped into Lucile the other day, a luxury lingerie boutique in Manchester. They had some lovely garments, stocking the likes of Myla, Damaris, Mimi Holiday, Stella McCartney, Fleur of England, and Madame V....yum! A quiet and discreet shop, the owner was very friendly, and I will definitley be popping back to look at their new ranges, and its walking distance form Agent Provocateur!

http://www.lucileandco.com/

Boudoir at London Fashion Week.

Lingerie has finally made its presence at London Fashion Week, with its own space at Somerset house. A short film was shown showcasing ten of the exhibiting brands, hand-picked by the fashion editor of Conde Naste’s Love Magazine Phoebe Arnold: Marlies Dekkers, Kriss Soonik, Ell & Cee, Yes Master, Lascivious, Kiss me Deadly, Ayten Gasson, Playful Promises, Pistol Panties and Triumph.

This is a historic moment in the world of lingerie, as it was finally recognised by the press and buyers as an important part of Fashion Week. Exciting things will follow after this, and we can perhaps look forward to some nice editorial lingerie shoots in the main glossys, lingerie runway and more outerwear brands like NYC based VPL who base their philosphy around undergarments.

Moda.

Little Minx

Passionata

Yesterday I went to the Moda Lingerie & Swimwear show at the NEC Birmingham, to sneak a peak at the future collections, and sneak is exactly what I had to do! I hid nothing of my intentions and registered as a designer, and was welcomed to the show, but as soon as some of the exhibitors realised I was not a buyer, they were frosty, some practically shoo-ing me from their stalls. It made me laugh though and I enjoyed the day. Princesse Tam Tam had some stunning garments, as usual, bold prints in soft colours, pvc bows, and some braver fabric choices, however still running with their chic and simple block black/ cream sets.

A brand which caught my eye was 'Lingerie by Emily' which was a collection of maternity and nursing bras, these tend not to inspire me, however these were just right. Gorgeous, fun prints, velvet bows and a great attention to detail, but still rather sexy, everything I imagine the pregnant woman wants!

Passionata's collection was gorgeous, bold pastels, making it look young and fresh.

Monsoon lingerie, mirrored the clothing collection well, and with velvet trimmings and leavers look laces looked quite lavish, with its rich colours.

Australian company Little Minx were so friendly, even when they realised I was not a buyer, and their sleek jaquards, and fun embroideries offer a new choice for the younger market.

This is the first time the show had been in the NEC (previously Harrogate) and it was really nice to be able to look around the womenswear also, the only absence I noticed was Elle McMphearson, and I remember the exhibitors being rather rude last time anyway. So, a very interesting show, with some new products starting to emerge after a year of 'safety' products. The runway show was also a highlight, particularly enjoying the finale trend of military inspired lingerie.

Tallulah Love

Tallulah Love is an exciting new UK brand making its mark on the luxury lingerie market. Tallulah Love is being sold in Fenwick in Newcastle and various other boutiques around the country, while international interest has been shown. Inspired by vintage postcards, Tallulah Love has even been ranked by Intima France, the leading lingerie trade magazine, as number one to watch!

Marc Jacobs working on a lingerie line.

Well Robert Duffy let it leak through Twitter, Marc Jacobs is the latest celebrity to join the lingerie bandwagon. Jacobs already produces a swimwear line so I think from that, we can expect to see fun Princesse Tam Tam style lingerie in Spring 11!

Treats.

Being British there is one thing I am thankful for, Topshop. When I spent a few months living in France, there were no high street shops satisfy my shopping needs. Firstly the French chains are not even worth looking at unless you want to take the 'chava' elements of England, throw in some euro (trash...pvc, fur trimmed, bubblejacket anyone?) and add a few harsh prints. Then you have the international stores such as Zara, H&M, and Mango, which again adopt a slight euro distaste or a uniformed blandness. The elegant department store of Pritemps, Paris which catered for the young trendy shopper has rid itself of these such brands and so the feeble and sporadic highstreet stores in Frances high-street are alien when compared to the great high-street of Britain.

I also like the fact that Topshop is accessible to the whole of England, to all the aspiring fashion tweenies, and to those who live in the sticks. Although my friend doing a buying placement at Topshop, did mention they save some of that extra special stock for the London stores...the absolute cheek of it. However, I like the on trend, fun, affordable fashion it gives our nation, and this applies to the lingerie too, its fun, cute and sexy. Nowhere else produces on trend lingerie pieces that can be afforded and reached by the masses. The fit and quality might not be the best, but lets not take it too seriously and we will all enjoy it! My favourite pieces in store at the moment are pictured above.