All photos are courtesy of the talented Matthew Coulter.

Photos from the catwalk show right here. 

Red Carpet

Cocktail Hour and Dinner

Award Ceremony

This year, for the first time, CILA recognized the accomplishments of young, fashion graduates. Top students enrolled in the esteemed intimate apparel program at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) submitted their designs in the category of Graduating Designer of the Year. Jessica Ng (who some of you might remember from last year’s Between the Sheets Fashion Show) was named the winner for her well-constructed and beautiful design.

CILA was also delighted to invite a special guest to receive another first time award! Carson Kressley, host of Lifetime’s How to Look Good Naked, was awarded the Recognition Award for Promoting Healthy Body Image Through the Media. Prior to presenting Carson with the award, the audience acquired a taste of Carson’s work through a series of video clips from the show in which he encourages women to embrace their beauty no matter what shape or size they may be.

Notable men’s underwear brands Andrew Christian, Baskit, and Papi, as well as online retailer Freshpair.com, graciously donated the items for Carson’s goody bag! Show attendees also received goody bags with treats from Soak (see here for a previous post on this wonderful wash).

Listed below is a complete list of CILA participants and winners (noted in bold). Check back soon for a photo gallery of the event!

CILA Gala 2008 Finalists and Winners

Graduating Designer of the Year

Best Daywear

Affinitas Intimates

Biatta

Claire Pettibone

Christian Lacroix

Mary Green

Best Nightwear

Carlton Hall

Cotton Club

Claire Pettibone

Galliano

Gracya Safari

Jaycriss

Mary Green

Strappity-Do-Da

Verena

Best Robes/Loungewear

Carlton Hall

Jaycriss

Mary Green

Sheandme

Best Fashion Couture

Carol Malony

Cotton Club

Kenzo

Le Mystere

Sonia Rykiel

Tia Lyn

Best D+ Plus Lingerie

Le Mystere

MD Design – Marlies Dekkers

WMI – Ruby Pink

Wacoal

Best Fashion

Affinitas Intimates

EA Lingerie

Gracya Safari by AC Lingerie

Marlies Dekkers

Mary Green

No Romeo by Hop Lun

Sixty Eight by Hop Lun

T-Santiago

WMI – Ruby Pink

Best Control Shapewear Functional

AFAP

Annette International

Made by Niki

Rago

Wacoal

Best Technically Innovative

Annette International

Le Mystere

Simple Necessit-Ease

Shibue

Slimpressions

T-Santiago

Best Bridal

Claire Pettibone

Luna

Mary Green

Shibue

Best Coordinated

Biatta

Carol Malony

Hop Lun

Lou

Strappity-Do-Da

Verena

Best Plus Size

Hop Lun

Lady de Paris

Tia Lyn

Best Seamless

AFAP

Affinitas Intimates

Wacoal

Best Maternity

Ke’Koqueta

Lady de Paris

MD Design – Marlies Dekkers

Rosette

Best Swimwear

EA Lingerie

Hop Lun

Lady de Paris

Luna

Rosette

More photos soon!

The rich satins used in “Boudoir Dreams” by Jessica Ng evoke a feeling of true luxury in lingerie. Not only were the pieces luxurious, but sassy and hip as well. I particularly enjoyed the two pieces made of chocolate satin with a buttercream lace trim. Tasty! Remarkably inventive was the sassy and sweet strapless chemise. It would make a perfect gift for a bride to be! I am also a fan of the contemporary two piece style which is both sexy and fun. I love the plunging neckline adorned with lace as it is matched with the simplicity of the delicate shorts.

The next to nothing cami and thong combo is both racy and beautiful. It leaves just enough to the imagination! The nude, lace trimmed halter is phenomenal against Denise’s glowing skin. Take this number along for a sun-soaked vacation and capture his attention for sure!

I also loved the intriguing work of Caitlin Evans and her edgy “Spy Dreams: UNDERCOVER” collection. The attention to detail is phenomenal and truly develops a cohesion in the collection. Sweet pieces sassed up with leather and hardware. I mentioned in a previous post about how much I enjoyed the two piece black set adorned with the chains. These pictures actually do it justice.

Undercover agents sometimes find themselves in sticky situations, all in the name of work. Perhaps this model needed to use seduction as a means of accessing classified information! I absolutely loved the look of her “swimming in his clothes” as she donned a classic, white button-down. Or so it seemed. She had her own secret, hidden beneath the simple, derrière-skimming top, which she begged the audience to keep quiet. Underneath was quite a sexy surprise!

See more of these, and the other very talented designers, at Between the Sheets. Looking forward to even more exciting innovations next year!

We’ve got more coverage on this event on The Lingerie Post: the preview, the report, first photo set, second photo set and the final wrap-up.