S/S 09 also sees the arrival of the underwire bra. A new structured addition to the usual softness so often associated with the brand.

I just love it. Ell & Cee seems to be making this extraordinary romance a huge part of their brand – and they’re making it work perfectly!

Photos courtesy of www.ellandcee.co.uk.

Ell & cee began in 2002 when designer Laura Cloke, a former Fashion Graduate (KIAD Rochester) started producing small handmade collections of feminine pieces for selected London boutiques. Fed up with taking 50’s style petticoats and adapting them into modern day pieces, Laura took inspiration from these original designs and began creating beautiful lingerie and other delicate fancies. Press coverage grew for the vintage inspired boudoir pieces and Ell & Cee began to establish a place in the luxury lingerie market, seeing the brand show for the first time at London Fashion Week in February 2007. Collections are 100% silk and made in the uk, with each individual piece hand finished lovingly by the Ell & Cee team.

The brand offers a seasonal collection and a bespoke/bridal collection that is offered throughout the year. There is no information about the S/S collection for 2009, but the A/W 2008 collection is currently on sale and some great deals can be had.

On the left is the Bardot babydoll. It is a sheer garment with a crocheted neckline. You can choose from black or raspberry for £75.00 (was £105.00). On the right, is the Bardot camisole. It looks smashing with the black knickers. It was £84.00 and is now £60.00.

The bow tied knicker is a common offering from Ell & Cee and the A/W 2008 version is in a limited edition bluebll lace. They have scalloped edging and a black silk bow. Was £40.00, now £30.00. On the right is the Bardot bed jacket. This piece is perfect in the boudoir, but with the right layers, could be perfect outerwear. Was £65.00 and is now £42.00.

From the bridal & bespoke collection is the Amelie antique Peek-a-boo knicker with stretch lace and several cappuccino silk bows. It is £36.00. On the right, The Mrs. A cheeky silk knicker in champagne, aqua, or blush for £40.00.

Photos courtesy of Ell & Cee.

Pricing is not outrageous, handmade sets start at +/- £90 ($180) – knickers at £35 ($70).

For more about the label, check the excellent about Ell & Cee page on the Ell & Cee website!

Our favorites from both Ell & Cee’s collections:

Q: Why did you decide to start your own lingerie boutique on the net?
A: I have been passionate about lingerie since I can remember, but probably at the tender age of 15 I seriously started to care! I was never a big fan of lingerie shops although the shops as such can be gorgeous but for me, no cold boutique changing cabins… pitiless mirrors, shop assistants that tend to open the curtain while you are still standing there half naked trying to pull things over your hips…(I am sure there are some lovely sales ladies out there I just have never met one yet…) really traumatised me, trying on the delicious new garments with a glass of Champagne (or tea) & Candle light at home just made me become a passionate internet shopper!

My best friend being from London – and a big lingerie fan herself – helped me discover some very beautiful frilly lingerie delights from Uk designers and I just wanted to put together a selection of Must-Have items that I would love for myself and for my friends! So I thought why not taking it to the next level and open my own site with my favourite “lingerie artists”. I am a fulltime-working Mum (in the music business) and have been doing this on the side, but hopefully soon I can concentrate fully on all those glamorous Lingerie delights!

Q: What brands do you carry and which are your favorites?
A: I have selected my brands over a period of time and “hand picked” the items I sell! I discovered some amazing designers at the Paris Lingerie salon 2008 (at the Spicy Garden) and through blogs like The Lingerie Post.

I wanted suppliers that were not easy or obvious to find in France and it was a question of falling in love with the lingerie pieces.

The brands I carry are: Ophelia Fancy (my little favourite, designed by the lovely Stevi Jelbart and Emma Sandham-King), Miss La La, Ell & Cee, Carmen Gonzales (coming soon), some fun pieces from Carol Malony, I could not find Mimi Holliday on French sites and though it was so very gorgeous, I also supply Playful Promises and Odille which I thought have very beautiful pieces for a reasonable price, coming soon is Maya Hansen (amazing corsetry) and I just discovered the fabulous Vintage Opulence that I will show on my site very soon.

Q: Where do you hope to be a year from now, business-wise?
A: I hope in a years time things will have taken off and I can still be there and do what I love: run my fabulicious, delicious, utterly sexy online lingerie boutique!!

We wish her the best of luck, and will keep all of you updated with Fabulicious news!