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.

Goodwin is wearing the Voyeur Pinup bra from Kiki de Montparnasse. The bra is from the upcoming Fall 2009 range and is not yet available. However, you can preorder for a limited time! To place your preorder, email info@kikidm.com with the subject “Voyeur Pinup Bra in Black Pre-Order” and be sure to include your contact information and preferred size.

“Teeze” was started in 2004 to cover the intimate apparel and lingerie industry. “Adult Store Buyer” was founded a year later to cover the adults products retail store industry. Rick’s Cabaret acquired the original two publications this spring when it bought publisher ED Publications and created the media division. The merge is being made to reduce production costs and gain a larger circulation by being targeted towards intimate apparel and adult retail stores. Starting with next month’s December issue, the new bimonthly magazine will be mailed free to 12,000+ intimate apparel and adult novelty manufacturers, distributors, and retail stores.

RCI Media Holdings President Don Waitt said of the merger,

“What we have seen recently is that the line between these two industries has blurred. Lingerie boutiques and intimate apparel retail stores are now carrying adult toys and novelties, and traditional adult retail stores are now augmenting their DVD and adult product sales by carrying lingerie and intimate apparel. The reasons for creating this super magazine are, first, that retail store owners realize they can offer their customers a wider range of products, and second that women and couples are much more open today to visiting erotic retail stores to purchase products to enhance their sex lives.

The magazine is more about what happens within the four walls of those retail stores rather than what happens outside. Our editorial focus is almost exclusively on store operators and decision-makers—how to make more money, how to simplify operations, how to stop theft, how to manage inventory and personnel, how to avoid legal problems and how to grow your business.”

Not only will the event promote and recognize achievement in intimate apparel design, but also acknowledge the strides made to promote self-esteem and a positive body image. The Recognition Award for Promoting Healthy Body Image through the Media will be granted to the dynamic Carson Kressley of Lifetime’s How to Look Good Naked for his tireless efforts to encourage and celebrate women of all shapes and sizes.

Over the next few weeks, TLP will feature a sampling of the brands participating in the Gala as well as provide up to the minute information about the finalists as they are selected. And, of course, all of the post show details will be available for your enjoyment! Stay tuned!

If you are a buyer in the intimate apparel industry and wish to purchase a ticket to attend, please contact Contours Associate Publisher Marjorie Walker at:  ContoursMag@verizon.net

Since 2006, Condessa Los Angeles, has been filling the gap in this much-needed sector of the lingerie industry. A team who believes that “Breastfeeding is Beautiful”, Condessa provides “the fine breastfeeding lingerie that nursing mothers deserve”. In the short time that the company has created nursing lingerie, it has grown to become a high profile label with features in many magazines, television shows, and distribution throughout the world. Dozens of retail boutiques and online stores offer the brand that includes two collections, the Cassandra and the Veronica.

The Cassandra Nursing Bra with its patent pending design and matching panties is one of the sexiest, stylish, practical and most comfortable nursing bras on the market. In seven rich and alluring colors, Captivating Mocha, Tempting Rose, Seductive Sunset, Enticing Turquoise, Rapturous Grape, Ravishing Red, and Alluring Black, this wonderful collection includes the front snap nursing bra, bikini panty, briefs, thong, shorts, and minimizer briefs.

Meticulously detailed, the Cassandra line offers bras with pretty pearl closures, three-quarter cups, plenty of lace, eighteen percent spandex, no underwire, and wide, soft satin shoulder straps. The matching panties are cotton lined inside with pretty lace on the outside coupled with a hint of spandex for fit and durability. They are made to fit comfortably during pregnancy and after. And the minimizer briefs are high waisted with reinforced front panel and delicate lace inserts.

In addition to the Cassandra Lace line of garments, there is also a Cassandra Smooth with the same pretty detailing and excellent features absent of lace. The bras are a molded, seamless design in microfiber to give a very smooth appearance.

The Veronica Collection offers a more daring design with the demi-cup bra, underwire support, and a sleeker fitting panty. It is available in bolder metallic colors that shimmer of motherhood. Intense colors called Shimmering Pearl, Treasured Copper, Precious Chocolate, and Sparkling Silver look lavish and regal. The bra is made of molded, seamless, Shimmering Miliskin microfiber and conveniently unclips at the satin shoulder strap. The matching panties are offered in bikini, brief or minimizer styling.

Bra sizes come in 32C to 40E but the panties are only available in sizes four through ten. This seems quite odd as many women would not be that small and could not benefit from having matched sets. It may be that sizes run large but there is no chart with which to compare. They do have a toll free number and a customer service page so it might be wise to call or email first.

Magazines that have highlighted Condessa include Beauty & Style, Mothering, I’m Pregnant, Canadian Family, Underlines, Celebrity Baby Clothes and Mommies with Style.

The core target customer is aged 18 – 24. She’s a regular high street shopper and has a real appetite for fashionable clothes. She generally makes considered purchases, which is why she loves Oasis – our collections are wearable and can transcend seasons while still having a fashionable edge… Following the acquisition of Coast in 1998 and a management buyout in 2001, the Oasis brand continues to grow from strength to strength, operating from 109 outlets and 161 concessions across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, achieving an annual average turnover of £200million.

Oasis isn’t just a store, it is closer to a lifestyle including a magazine, newsletter, and a growing number of brands. It seems similar to the brand strategy used by The Limited in the US during the 1980s.

The online store is very usable, but requires a speedy internet connection. There are many pieces to choose from including these lingerie selections. The store uses a closet metaphor and the pieces are shown on hangers.

Selecting a piece brings up a product page with sizing details (don’t expect any sizes except 34A to 36C). The store uses an in-place zoom (described here).

To accomplish this zooming technique, a large image is loaded in the background. See a few samples below:

The items are well crafted and have many flourishes and details. Most pieces are £30.00 or under and check back with the site for sale items.

All images are from Oasis. Visit their site for more details and purchasing.

April 25, 2008

Dear Subscriber:

Recent changes in the retail sector have prompted Intimate Apparel Business magazine to cease publication with the May/June issue.

Accordingly, much of IAB’s editorial content will now be absorbed by the magazine’s sister publication, AVN Novelty Business (ANB), which will be expanding its already robust coverage of lingerie, apparel, and accessories. ANB will also publish stand-alone costume and lingerie supplements that will receive wide distribution at key trade shows and among targeted IAB subscribers. These supplements will be geared towards boutique and online retailers whose inventories include sexy apparel and sensual products. Where the lingerie and personal enhancement markets meet, that’s where we will be.

Strategic decisions like these are not always easy to make, but in the end our goal remains the same: to provide essential news and information to our readers, and unparalleled opportunities for our advertisers. We believe our restructuring efforts will allow us to do that even more successfully.

If you wish to subscribe to Adult Novelty Business, you may do so by going online to http://www.anbmag.com.

This magazine was an industry trade magazine, but had an aggressive online presence putting their magazine into an all Flash format. We’ll miss you IAB.