From Lelo, we interviewed the lovely Eliane Said who showed us the absolutely elegant Sussurra collection recently launched by the brand best known for their pleasure objects.  You’ll be hearing more on TLP about this collection, but pay special attention to the kimono (my fave!).  Just glorious!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Hanky Panky lent us their Glam Guru, JD Breen, who showed us some best sellers and talked trends.  Did you know that Hanky Panky is more than just their signature thong?!  And speaking of the thong…stay tuned to the end of the video for a little tidbit!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Our other two interviews featured two of New York’s premier young designers – Layla of Between the Sheets and Ari of ARI DEIN.  Get a glimpse at their upcoming brands, discover their inspiration, and learn how they make it all work (yes, Tim Gunn would be proud!).  Also, learn a bit more about each of them as individuals.  Are they loyal to the iPhone or Blackberry?  What superhero powers do they secretly desire?  Where do they see their brands in 5 years?

We love these ladies and know you will too!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The video interviews are a new territory for TLP, so let us know what you think!  We hope you enjoy this peek into the world behind the brands.  Stay tuned to TLP for more on what’s to come – new finds, trends, photos, and more!  Let us know what you think on Facebook and Twitter and keep the conversation going.  Maybe one of your questions will be asked of the next featured industry insider!

We know that you are inspired by vintage couture gowns.  How do you take that inspiration and translate it into your designs?

Oh, to sashay around in evening gowns! I was definitely born in the wrong era. I am smitten with the over-the-top decadence of vintage couture, particularly of the 30s and 40s, and how they transform the wearer into femme fatales. While many of these gowns are quite simple, it is the exquisite tailoring and attention to detail that make all the difference. I look to incorporate these techniques into my work, such as pin-tucking, narrow rolled hems, fastidious top stitching, and french seams.

Also, I love how vintage gowns often have one knock-out feature, providing a dramatic silhouette. I translate this unexpected impact into my work, such as ruching on the cheeky backside of panties topped with a large sash. The emphasis is all about feeling empowered through glamour, and also enjoying the feminine and playful side of donning such fancies.

What materials are your favorites to use?

I work exclusively with silk. The sheen and color saturation of silk charmeuse is just gorgeous and provides a luxuriousness that is unparalleled. Future collections, though, will include more silk chiffon as I’m interested in how it both has body yet hugs the figure. Also, I’m able to play with different textures with chiffon and enjoy how the transparency offers yet another design element.

Do you have a favorite piece in your current collection?

My favorite, at the moment, is the Tie One On garter belt. I love the flirtatious bows and the feeling of being all wrapped up like the perfect present.

What’s been your greatest success since launching?

I have been incredibly fortunate to attract the attention of some wonderful people in the industry. These bloggers and boutique owners have been so very kind in championing my little fledgling label. I am especially proud to work with Faire Frou Frou and Bella Bella Boutique who were early supporters when I first launched last spring.

Your greatest challenge?

Up to this point I’ve been a one-woman show, designing and producing each piece individually by hand. I am working on a production and merchandising strategy before releasing subsequent collections so that I can confidently grow and sustain my
label. And I’m relocating to Seattle during this period as well. Things are inordinately busy right now but I feel so privileged to have attained the successes I have in the last few months that I am thoroughly energized and up for the challenge!

What effect has social networking had on your business?

Social networking has made all the difference for me in launching my label. Not only has it provided a platform to promote Toad Lillie, it has been an amazing way to connect with other designers, to be part of this growing community of impassioned talent.

Where do you see your business headed in the next year?

In the next year I plan on exhibiting at the lingerie shows here in the U.S. which will hopefully provide Toad Lillie with more exposure. My goal is to secure a few key stockists here in the U.S. and perhaps internationally as well.

The next five?

In five years I’d like to see Toad Lillie with an international clientele, also branching out from boudoir bra and panty sets into luxe lounge wear pieces and bridal.

Thank you, Laurie!  We appreciate your candor and look forward to seeing Toad Lillie’s continued expansion.  If you want to stay up to date on Toad Lillie, don’t forget to Like on Facebook and Follow on Twitter!

What was your inspiration for the Spring/Summer 2011 collection?

For Spring/Summer 2011 I was inspired by summer love, those timeless innocent moments on the beach, in the sand, on the boardwalk and out at an amusement park that we look back and remember fondly. I wanted to make an airy, colorful, and light collection that you could make more of those summer memories in, whether kicking back on your porch with some lemonade or iced tea or thrown over a swimsuit beach or poolside. There is something magical about summer memories that have this dreamlike, they’re endless and live on forever.

I got a crazy idea to shoot at Coney Island, I had only visited it twice since I first moved to New York, but the moment I thought of my own nostalgic moments at Venice and Santa Monica beach in California, Coney Island was like the grittier NYC version of that for me. All that aside for a made in New York brand this historic New York landmark just seemed like the perfect backdrop for a SS11 campaign!

How will this collection differ from the previous collections?

We’re introducing two new groups for SS11- “Play a Spell” which consists of airy cotton voille and delicate lace trimmed pieces and “Frolic & Play” another crossover collection of an light luxe slub knit that could be worn over swimwear or as RTW and also functions as lounge or sleepwear and merchandises back to some of our basics really nicely.

Since we at TLP always seek to give you the latest information in the industry, when it was leaked last week that Between the Sheets would be featured on an upcoming reality TV show, we decided to ask Layla about that as well.

How did you first hear about the show? What prompted you to audition?

Actually, we were approached a while back, and at first we were a bit hesitant as to whether we could stand to step away from our business to be a part of this, but in the end we decided it was an opportunity a fledgling brand like ours could not turn down. After all we want to give this baby of ours wings to fly!

Do you think the show will give more exposure to the still growing lingerie industry?

I can’t say much about what went on- you’ll have to tune in to watch, and in truth I don’t know what the final product will end up like. That was another hesitation for us, anytime you are on a reality show there is a certain amount of risk involved, and even more when it is a pilot season and there is no history for what the show will be like. I do hope/believe that you will get a true vision of the work that goes into making a product, and the humanity that is behind the brand. I hope that viewers with each episode will see what a risk designers take when they step out into an industry dominated by well funded heavy hitters, financially and emotionally speaking.

Speaking on lingerie specifically it has always been my goal to have lingerie recognized as a fashion category alongside ready to wear, couture, etc. We have whole floors in department stores devoted to lingerie, and our own specialized trade events/shows and yet the fashion industry at large tends to treat lingerie like a sleazy cousin when there is so much more to the lingerie industry than that. I think that our being cast as part of this first season should send a message that lingerie designers are out there, and making some beautiful clothing, and that is a message I hope comes across.

We believe we have leaps and bounds to go to grow BTS into what we hope it will be, our Fall season surpassed our launch by so much! I think the economic fears are easing and as we have been around for more than one season and add new groups we continue to meet new boutique and store owner who are interested in our playful spirit and unique products!

Thanks to Layla for sharing what she could.  I know I’ll be tuning in!  For more details on the show, see here for the leaked article about the show which will air on the Sundance Channel.  For now, keep up with BTS on Facebook and Twitter and enjoy these lovely pictures of the collection.

Natalie Steiner, Tashi Lingerie

It’s not the easiest time for entrepreneurs to start a new venture – but we love it when new online lingerie boutiques open their virtual doors; and we love it even more when they have some of our favorite labels available. OnGossamer, CLO Intimates, Eberjey & Huit all have a new home at Tashi Lingerie & Loungewear – launched just a couple of weeks ago by Natalie Steiner. We decided to have a little sit-down with the boutique owner and talk about her new venture.

Why did you decide to open a lingerie boutique on the web?

Globally, women are passionate about lingerie. My desire was to reach as many lingerie lovers like myself as I possibly could! It’s amazing how a beautifully designed website can captivate the essence of a live boutique. It also allows me to work on a possible Tashi Lingerie line of my own.

What makes Tashi special?

Tashi is about exuding your inner essence. Its about dressing up your assets for YOU and giving yourself a gift. All the pieces that have been handpicked are meant to be used as a tool to tailor to your mood. How do you feel? Who do you want to be?

How did you go about selecting brands for your boutique?

I went with the brands that I was drawn to. I like unique pieces that have texture and detail and that make women feel comfortable. The brands I carry I feel have a natural organic blend to a woman’s femininity.

What are your own favorite pieces from the store?

There are so many! Women have so many layers it depends upon the mood we are in! I’m in love with Huit’s Mesh Amoureuse bra set with either the matching thong or the brief. It’s such an elegant, yet sexy set; not to mention extremely comfortable. Clo’s Fortuna camisole set in Violette is also one of my favorites and fits like a glove. Clo’s color palette is luscious!

We’re very much looking forward to seeing Tashi add more pieces and labels in the future – and will obviously keep you posted of great new stuff regarding the boutique. Obviously TLP wouldn’t be TLP if we didn’t secure an extra discount for our members. Use coupon code “LGZ96090″ at checkout for 10% off your order (coupon valid until Christmas).

What’s the name of this collection?
The collection’s name is Winter HOT HOT!!! It’s a colorful winter line, not giving in to the depression!

What were your main inspirations?
The Winter 2009 collection can be summarized in a few words: the discovery of woman, independence and affirmation, and sexuality! We want the Vanilla-woman to be the center of her own intimate universe: she has control of all her wished and desires, and can discover and rediscover intimacy whenever and however she wants at all times.

What will the price range for these sets be?
Each store obviously sets its own price .. but an average price for a set of Vanilla lingerie leaves a boutique for anything in the $55 to $130 price range.

Where can people shop for Vanilla Lingerie in Europe and the USA?
In Europe we are currently negotiating with a very interesting store, but I can’t currently give out too much information… In the USA you can find Vanilla Lingerie at Bella Bella Boutique!

More Vanilla Lingerie on the official Vanilla Lingerie website!

TLP: How did you get started with Hopeless?
Ever since I can remember I have wanted to do something creative with my life. Whether it was painting, drawing, sewing or something else. My mum taught me knitting and embroidery when I was very very young, and I started sewing my own clothes when I was about 14 or 15. I studied art history at uni for a few years, and then in the middle of my degree I quit and went and studied fashion, and immediately knew it was what I wanted to do. I had the idea for lingerie randomly one night just over a year ago. It was just a really really clear picture in my head of what I wanted the brand to be. Kind of a lightning bolt moment I guess. I have stuck to it and am just going to continue working as hard as I can to achieve that picture!

TLP: Sounds like the timing was spot on.
I think it was just the right time. I had matured enough and experienced enough life to be motivated and dedicated enough to really commit to it. I am still very young, 26, (even if that sometimes does feel really old!) and I know there is still so much for me to learn about the business. I think it was just the readiness. I started everything completely from scratch. I knew nothing about the industry, I only had some dress making and pattern making experience from TAFE (ed. Technical and Further Education — see wiki for more details). I spent many many hours researching other brands, writing my business plan, collecting pages from magazines. I really just immersed myself in the lingerie world because I knew that if I was going to do it, I had to do it properly.

TLP: Within your business plan, have you decided on a demographic that Hopeless is trying to reach?

I design for women who like to invest in quality and appreciate vintage styling. The most important thing for me is to create pieces that people will treasure – I love putting effort into details and paying attention to the small things, and my brand is aimed at women who appreciate that kind of work.

TLP: Sounds like you have a guiding vision for hopeless. Do you have any help with the effort so far?
Hopeless is pretty much just me, but I do have a lot of help of family and friends. My sister helps out with running errands and and a heap of other bits and pieces, she plays a great devils advocate when I get over excited about things. My partner is much more financially minded so I rely on him a lot when it comes to all the banking and the less fun stuff.

TLP: How has being based in Australia affected your business plan?
The lingerie industry in Australia is very different to the rest of the world. Australians are much more inclined to wear very comfortable practical underwear – whereas European women are a little more adventurous, so the lingerie business is much bigger over there. That is why I am developing two separate ranges within Hopeless – the silk fancy things, and the much more practical bamboo jersey pieces. I think it is important to have something for everyone and something for your different moods as well. I definitely would like a global brand, but also want to focus on keeping all my production within Australia, as well as all my fabric and supplies.

TLP: How does the Internet factor in? How about Etsy?
The internet is obviously great for reaching far away places. I owe a lot to Etsy, most of my successes so far have been a result of someone seeing my work there. I started it initially as a make-do place to show everything while my website was being set up, but since I started there I have had tens of thousands of people through the shop and have had wholesale business come of it as well. It is such a fantastic platform for people to get their name out and reach to people they would never have found otherwise. I receive comments and messages from people all over the world, and the community is so supportive and encouraging.

TLP: Do you have plans beyond Etsy?
I have a website almost ready for launch, that I think will do well alongside Etsy. I will not be leaving Etsy anytime soon though as the amount of people that come through the shop is huge! I am in the process of finding someone to help me with sewing, so I can spend a lot more time on the promotion and administration side of things. Ultimately I want my own little shop somewhere in Melbourne to start with, and then a few more around the world. I know that is a long way off yet though!

TLP: Do you plan on doing off the peg?
Everything on Etsy is made to order – according to the customers measurements and any special requests like a different trim or colour-way. I also have a couple of stores that I wholesale to – which I guess you could call off the peg. I would like to do more one-off pieces – as I get the most enjoyment from making that first sample. Its when I have to make ten or twenty of the same style that I start getting bored!

TLP: Where do you see Hopeless in five years?
I want Hopeless Lingerie to be the mother brand of a Sleep-wear line, Swim-wear and Bedding and Linen, with a small store in the city. My dreams are kind of endless, I want to do it all.

Catch Hopeless:

• Etsy
• Hopeless Hotel
• MySpace
• Blog

The winning photo is a self-portrait that depicts Degollado dancing on a couch in a tank top and boyshorts. Her caption was, “This feels right because the photo is the perfect example of being free, young, and being yourself. FREEDOM feels right, and is something we all want. And being yourself is something we should all be, rather than doing what everyone else is doing.”

TLP sat down for a quick chat with Jessica which resulted in a quick mini-interview!

Q: How did you end up sending in your winning photo?
A: I was on MySpace one day, and saw the advertisement for the contest on the main page. I decided to give it a shot, since photography is my life. So I entered the contest and hoped that I would win.

Q: Do you often walk around the house in your underwear?
A: I do, actually, but only when I’m alone in the house. When I lived in Chicago, I’d do it a lot in my apartment. That always reminded me of Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson’s character) in Lost in Translation, and how she would always be in her underwear in her apartment in Japan.

Q: Would you call yourself a real lingerista?
A: I’d say so. I’ve always loved buying lingerie…but especially underwear. I absolutely love underwear.

Congratulations, Jessica!

Q: Can you introduce yourself to TLP?
A: My name is Emma Swanepoel, I’m 21 and have just graduated with a First Class Honours in Contour Fashion at De Montfort University. the only specialist lingerie, body and swimwear degree course in the world.

Q: How did you end up doing lingerie? Why did you pick this niche?
A: I have loved fashion from a young age and always knew this was were my passion lay, I chose Contour Fashion in particular as I wanted to find a degree that would be challenging to me as a designer and where I would learn a number of invaluable and unique skills and this course not only offered me that, but the opportunity to specialize is an area that was exclusive to this university.

Q: What are your own favourite lingerie brands?
A: I’m not sure I can pick a favourite! But I think the first ones to spring to mind are Damaris, Fleur T, I.D Sarrieri, Strumpet and Pink and Guia La Bruna. I think they each have different unique qualities that draws me to them every time, whether it’s the fabrics used, interesting style lines, prints, or simply the quality of fit.

Q: What are your lingerie-related dreams and aspirations?
A: I think ultimately I want to create lingerie that makes women feel empowered, sexy and feminine. Nothing feels better then wearing beautiful lingerie and I want to create the same feeling with my own designs, I want women to feel irresistible.

Q: Where will we find Emma Swanepoel in 2015?
A: Hopefully working for a company where I am able to use the specialist technical skills developed from my degree, whether it is in lingerie, swimwear or corsetry and combine it with the freedom to use my creativity designing and exploring new ideas.

If anyone wants to contact Emma — feel free to send TLP an e-mail and we’ll forward it with pleasure!

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!

Q. We focus a lot on English and US brands; can you describe the Norwegian market? Would you say it is competitive like the UK markets? Are Norwegian woman looking for value or fashion?
A: Norway is a rather small country and there is not that many fashion designers doing underwear as their main product. This makes it easier to get exposure and positive feedback from customers and press. However there is not enough customers or shops to make a living out of design-lingerie and I would have to go abroad very soon. The average Norwegian female buys about 1-8 bras a year so it is quite obvious that the Scandinavian truth is to look for functionality before design.

Q. When you finished school, were you making bespoke clothes and lingerie or just bespoke lingerie?
A: I have always wanted to work with lingerie and clothes together since they both are dependent on each other. After finishing my master in 2003 I have designed collections, showing them at Oslo Fashion Week and made both clothes and lingerie for private customers.

Q. How many pieces were in your first collection?
A: My first collection for 2005 was for both men and women and existed of about 15 styles (bra, brief, skirt, top and men`s briefs and tops).

Q. For your mini-collection, it looks like you have several retail outlets. Do you plan on offering commerce options from your web site?
A: Yes I hope this will be available from this autumn. Before that customers are more than welcome to send me an email if they live abroad and want to purchase my ever first produced collection.

Q. How have your collections changed over the last four years?
A: First of all I feel that these years have been important in order to develop my own style. For each collection I get inspirations for new ones and learn about new areas that I want to indulge myself into even more. This means that each collection is an answer to the previous. Since I aim to make garments that are both fantastic to look at and fantastic to wear it has also been important to develop a good blend between fashion, design and commerciality.

Q. What’s been your greatest challenge to date?
A: I am still working on my greatest challenge: How to make a living out of being a Scandinavian designer working with lingerie and clothes.

Q. How do you go from sketch to sale?
A: My ideas are always based in a shape. Color is second stage. After sketching still a lot of the creativity happens when I develop patterns and prototypes and in my fabric research. Most of the fabrics come from my visits to fabric and lingerie fairs in Paris and from the contacts of agents and factories I have developed during the last years.

The prototypes get photographed in campaign photos that I print in catalogues and publish on my website. The “Couples In Love Briefs” was my ever first production and since it was launched between two seasons I had to do sales without a fashion show. However this worked out very well and I managed to get shops in Norway, Sweden and Belgium.

Q. We don’t see many designers doing collections for both women and men. Have you always thought your designs should be for both genders?
A: I have always liked the idea of doing matching garments for men and women. This is such a romantic thing and it is important to keep some romance in our busy everyday life. The great thing is if you buy underwear to your lover it is also a present for yourself because you can enjoy seeing and feeling him and her in the present!

Q: What is next for you?
A: One of my greatest dreams have always been to find someone to run a clothing/underwear company with – because two persons can do the job of at least three when working together. This dream is now coming true, as I am working on a new exciting concept! We are not ready to launch anything yet, but are looking forward to finally sending out our first press release when everything is ready.

Photos courtesy of Ida Gullhav. Visit her site at www.idagullhav.no.