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!

Romanian born designer, Claudia Luca, believes in creating supportive, comfortable and stylish bras with no underwiring. I have yet to try one of these out, but the photos look very basic, girly and wearable… Obviously something that can work in the US too.

Has anyone tried this label already? Please do leave a comment! More photos and information on www.lucafashion.com – shopping at Bella Bella Boutique!

Photos via Bella Bella Boutique.

Earlier this week, US-based shop Bella Bella Boutique announced they’ll be stocking Scelestia lingerie. Other than this info they have on their sales page – resources are VERY limited.

“Scelestia is a brand of ultra fine lingerie from Colombia. The collections are characterized by the maximum care of details, the choice of materials and design, resulting in a collection aesthetically appealing and technically perfect. The collections have cuts and details of haute couture, combined with materials of excellent quality in terms of fabrics, lace, satines, tulles, and tapes. All this coupled with a careful preparation to offer full pledge of charm and seduction. Scelestia lingerie is a Divine Inspiration!”

The company does have a website – but it’s currently not really functional. We do have some great photos though thanks to Bella Bella Boutique. From now on – expect Scelestia-updates on TLP!

I really like the swarovski detail, I love the details and I love the photography. What a difference between some of the photography we see from other South American brands…

Sets start at about $175.

ëa’s latest collection just landed at Bella Bella Boutique and we’re as impressed as last time. Pics below!

Queens Glam Collection

Shopping at Bella Bella Boutique. Don’t expect cheap –but for 10% off you CAN use the coupon code “VIP” on checkout!

We found both of these at Bella Bella Boutique, and shop owner Aline Machado was kind enough to give us a description of both:

“Translating La Perla’s sexy appeal – and apparel – the music of La Perla Noir combines gentle down-tempo sounds, world music, piano, vocals, smooth up-tempo pieces, orchestral movements and more.”

“With La Perla Black Label music, Venturi, musician himself, has supplied some exclusive tunes (among which one featuring top Nu Jazz singer Isabelle Antena) to go with more famous material by artists like Tosca, Nouvelle Vague (remixed by Thievery Corporation), Monte La Rue and Irma’s own Ohm Guru (with an unreleased track!) and Arcoiris. Overall the music style could be described as smooth and silky chilled lounge beats with a few dashes of middle-eastern influence.”

Like I said, both of these are available at Bella Bella Boutique!

The beautiful Seduzione Brazil LOLA Bra Set, obviously made in Brazil, is a romantic embroidered tulle molded bra and matching culotte panties set. It’s available in bra sizes 34B, 34C, 36B and panty sizes: small, medium, large. Retail price is under $100 at Bella Bella Boutique!

Don’t forget to sign up for the contest, today is your last day to get your entry in!

Our contest starts today, and you’ve got exactly 13 days to get your entry in! Entering is super simple. Click right here to go to the contest-form, and fill it in (once, please!). You’ll get an e-mail asking you to confirm your entry, and you’re set to go!

Off course we wouldn’t be able to offer you guys such an awesome prize pool without the help of some of the greatest companies in the lingerie world. We’ll be zooming in on the prizes in our competition throughout the next two weeks, but here’s the list for you already:

• A $200 Secrets In Lace gift certificate, donated by Secrets In Lace.
• A gorgeous Papinelle PJ/Slipper set donated by Papinelle.
• Frankly Darling, Carmen Silk set donated by Peacock & Strutt.
• Fuchsia Night cami/thong set or a limited edition Valentine cami/thong set, plus a red Cell Phone garter, donated by A Little Lingerie Company
• A $150 Evlove Intimates gift certificate, donated by Evlove Intimates.
• Smart Ass pink hearts Eurotrash camisole and galshort, plus an ooh la la, tres chic thong, donated by the Smart Ass Gals.
• Eberjey Heart-to-heart Chemise, donated by Gigi’s Closet.
• Vanjo Kika Range – pink mesh bra with dotty yellow mesh, fully lined for support, with yellow trims and brief, donated by Vanjo.
• Elle Macpherson Intimates Tressour bra and bikini bottom, donated by Bendon!
• Fayreform Beautiful Sin black and gold bra and bikini bottom, donated by Bendon.
• Seduzione Brazil LOLA Bra Set, donated by Bella Bella Boutique.
• Luxxa St-Tropez Chemise, donated by Ever So Sexy
• Julianna Rae Versailles Chemise, donated by Julianna Rae
• Two $48 Bubbles Bodywear gift certificate donated by Bubbles Bodywear.
• Patrick & Skinner Mint set, donated by Patrick & Skinner.
• A luxurious Julianne Aimee Slip by Australian label Julianne
• Pfiff Portrait of a Lady Full Coverage Bra and Bikini bottom, donated by Pfiff.
• Fleur’t Chantal set, donated by Journelle NYC.

This post would really be getting out of proportion if we would add images for all these prizes, so I’m advising all of you to subscribe to our daily updates (check below this post) or our rss feed, as we’ll be posting details on all these products over the next two weeks. Stay tuned!