What Katie Did eau-de-nil Striptease

Have you ever felt that vintage clothing and accessories often carry so much more mystique and glamour than their modern counterparts? Lingerie design house What Katie Did are no strangers to vintage elegance, creating, as they do, collections of faux vintage underpinnings that would not look out of place in a Golden Era film-star’s armoire. But even the colors of the past have names that conjure up images of old Hollywood stars: why say dusky pink when you can say ‘ashes of roses’, ‘turtle dove’ is far more romantic than gray, or ‘vermilion’ – so much more evocative than plain old red? What Katie Did feel the same, which is why, this November, they are expanding their hugely popular Striptease collection with a brand new, but very vintage color. Lingerie devotees will now be able to embrace their inner starlet in gloriously named eau-de-nil satin. You could call it ‘aqua’ or ‘duck egg blue’ if you like, but that doesn’t sound nearly so glamorous!

Striptease was inspired by the legendary burlesque artistes of the 1940s and 50s, with pieces names after the famed Gypsy Rose Lee and Sally Rand. It is the ultimate mix-and-match lingerie collection, all in deliciously soft satin; with the new eau-de-nil shade joining the classic black, peach, claret and purple already available. Knickers come bedecked with ballerina ruffles, or cute, fluted legs; the Gypsy Rose bralet and bestselling side tie knickers are sexy yet sophisticated, perfectly evoking their namesake; and the Lilian bralet and bloomers resemble nothing so much as a silent film star’s most saucy smalls. Accessorized with matching garters and eye masks, the Striptease collection works equally well as sleepwear, boudoir glamour or even as burlesque costumes! It’s as practical as it is pretty, and as naughty as it is nice.

With Christmas and Valentine’s Day just around the corner, vintage vixens and girls-next-door alike are encouraged to start dropping hints to their significant others as soon as possible. Or perhaps an even bigger hint is needed… for what could be more sophisticated on your wedding night than elegant eau-de-nil?

Shopping at WhatKatieDid.com!

Victoria Beckham wearing What Katie Did

It looks like the bra Victoria is wearing is the same one we featured in our recent article about the “pointy bra” trend – here’s the link if you want to purchase one for yourself.

Overbusts

Sophia is the most popular of What Katie Did’s corsets, with a gently curved silhouette that’s neither too extreme-looking or constricting to put off corset newcomers; but with just the right amount of cinching to satisfy experienced wearers. Its curved cups ensure that A-E-cup breasts are pushed delicately upwards and together. Those who are considerably more endowed needn’t despair though, because decadent Dolly combines the same classic cut with slightly more room in the bust; perfect for those lucky ladies whose D+ cups runneth over.

These two have a naughty big sister, Laurie - an overbust style with real va-va-voom. It features the same shaped cups for perfect uplift, but with WKD’s signature gored hips, Laurie gives a fantastically well-defined waistline. It’s enough to make even Jessica Rabbit jealous!

The 18th Century-inspired Antoinette is the WKD’s newest overbust style. Its balconette bustline and innovative pointed sides mean that even the most well-upholstered needn’t fear an overspill of fulsome flesh – simply a ravishing pair of (well-supported!) heaving bosoms. With gored hips for a truly ravishing silhouette, it’s just like its antique counterpart, but considerably more comfortable.

Underbusts

Gina was the very first corset that What Katie Did designed, and it’s still a firm favourite amongst their customers. It gives a smooth and defined shape, but, like Sophia, not one that’s too extreme. The addition of the signature gores to this basic underbust created Mae. The beauty of the goring is that hips are not compressed, and waists can therefore be cinched down even further, for a very pronounced hourglass shape. Those with a large waist-hip ratio look particularly spectacular in the gored hip versions of What Katie Did’s corsets for this reason!

Wickedly tempting, Morticia is a slightly longer-line style based on the Mae shape, and the latest version to incorporate goring. The longer busk and lower hip-line ensure that shapely derrieres are shown off to their full advantage, while the waist is pulled in as tightly as desired. Morticia is so well cut and designed, that many customers find they can actually go down a size!

The newest underbust style, Baby, is a little 7” waist cincher designed to be worn under clothes. It’s directly inspired by Christian Dior’s post-war New Look fashions, and the boned waist-nippers that his models were tightly laced into to achieve that incredibly dramatic silhouette. Baby’s clever cut allows the waist to be substantially reduced, but its small size makes it incredibly comfortable.

As always – more info on whatkatiedid.com!

Here’s the scoop on What Katie Did’s Autumn/Winter ‘09 line!

Josephine Lingerie

For A/W09 What Katie Did have produced a range of sophisticated sumptuous lingerie to relinquish and flatter every figure. Josephine is based around a striking cheetah print that was designed in house and is exclusive to What Katie Did. It’s enliberty ough to cause a case of jungle fever!

Josephine is available in cup sizes B to F, and dress sizes sizes 10-18. The range comprises an underwired bra, corselette, suspender belt and two styles of knicker. RRPs range from £15 to £65.

Showgirl Corsets

Release your Inner Showgirl with What Katie Did’s opulent range of Marie Antionette inspired corsets which combine serious shaping with decadent trims and frills. Spiral steel boning is used to shape, whilst the balconette bustline enhances and pushes up the breasts.

Showgirl corsets are available in reduced waist sizes 18” to 30”. Retail prices range from £175 to £189.50.

Lulu

Lulu is a 1950s style lingerie set made from black powermesh with black lace over red satin panels. The orginal range was launched in AW06 and this season we’ve revamped it adding a corselette, girdle, underwired bra and thong to the range. Lulu is available in cup sizes B to F, dress sizes 10 to 18. The bullet bra, suspender belt and knickers are available now with the remaining items being launched in early September 2009.

This fall sees What Katie Did celebrate 10 years of lingerie design and a book featuring a retrospective of their work is due to be published in September. We’ll obviously be keeping you posted.

Like a sale? Check out WhatKatieDid.com, they’re having one!

Because of the limited edition lace, the manufacturing was limited to 350 pieces. Being part of the Gold Label, it is slightly more expensive than the standard What Katie Did lines (the bra retails at £44.50). Lily is made from sheer peach organza with a black lace overlay, with a delicate peach ribbon and black lace trim. The bra has a black powermesh panel for fit. What Katie did warns that the sizes are “vintage sized” and may come up rather small, but also says that if you are wearing the correct bra size, you will be okay. You can find the new range on the What Katie Did website.

What Katie Did Gold Label will be more exclusive than their standard lines, using more expensive fabrics and being aimed at the sub designer market. Two lines per year will be introduced, one in mid January to capitalize on the Valentines Day market, and one in June.

Lily, as always, is inspired by a vintage piece: an early underwired bra with a sheer peach organza lining and black lace overlay. What Katie Did’s version uses the same peach lining and almost identical lace, but has a cup shape more flattering to today’s woman.

The range comprises:

• Lily Underwired Bra (high res image), sizes 32B to 38DD, rrp £44.50
• Lily Deep Knickers (high res image), sizes 10 to 18, rrp £34.50
• Lily 6 Strap Suspender Belt (high res image), sizes 10 to 18, rrp £39.50
• Lily Waist Cincher (high res image), sizes 10 to 18, rrp £49.50

The 1950s style catwalk show will display the “Glamour” collection, and attendees will also be treated to cabaret and seductive swing shows. Tickets are £10 and available from the What Katie Did website.

Remember, if you’re ever looking for hard-to-find What Katie Did styles, or are just bargain hunting, keep What Katie Did’s ebay shop bookmarked! End-of-the-line and other merchandise can be found in the ebay shop, often at discounted prices.

If you decide to join in – let us know how much fun you had on our forums!