Bra straps

CILA Brand Feature: Carol Malony

August 9, 2008 by Krista

Carol Malony has been mentioned quite a few times on TLP. Featuring cheeky, sexy, and stylish lingerie, Carol Malony Signature and Haute by Carol Malony is a favorite in boutiques around the world.For this year’s CILA Gala, Carol Malony was featured in the fashion show for both Best Coordinated and Best Fashion Couture with the Best Coordinated set winning this year’s award.

The award winning Best Coordinated features a fun and flirty pastel rainbow colorway. This festive set is accented by delightful straps with sassy little bows on the bra, playful, side-tie ribbons on the panty, and a bejeweled peace sign on the bum. The Best Fashion Couture set features a pink bra adorned with pink rosettes. The bra also features the same jewel spangled ruffles that edge the panty. These (and the other pieces in Carol’s collections) are not for the tame! Fortunately, if you are on the tame side, you have time to work up your courage to wear these pieces as they are both a part of the Spring 2009 collection (to see more from the Fall 2008 collection, click here).

Carol Malony is available at department stores and boutiques worldwide including La Petite Coquette and Isabella Fine Lingerie.

Pfiff Spring/Summer 2008

April 29, 2008 by Krista

I’ve already mentioned my love affair with the new Pfiff Age of Innocence eco-friendly group. I recently had the chance to visit the Pfiff showroom and see not only that group, but the rest of the Spring/Summer Collection (Autumn/Winter too, but more about that later!). As expected, the collection does not disappoint by matching exquisite design and detail with elegant (yet, supportive and comfortable) fabrics.

Breadth of Serenity is just that indeed! A clean, white double layered mesh is topped with a vibrant, royal purple scrolling embroidery, which immediately transported me to the Mediterranean in my mind! The group has something to offer everyone. The lightly lined balconette bra accomodates cups A-D, while the lightly padded full coverage bra fits C-F cups. Both feature the delicate, scalloped straps as well as the coordinating organza bow with a crystal tear drop charm.

Bottoms include a g-string hipster, bikini brief, and boyshort. All of which include the organza bow detailing in addition to their own unique elements including additional embroidery, pleating, and a key hole. In true Pfiff style, you’ll not only look fabulous from the front, but from the back as well! The group is complete with both a camisole and chemise. Mix and match to create new, opulent looks every night of the week.

For the ultimate in sophistication, Dramatic Entrances pairs a soft, tactel microfiber with Leavers lace and mesh. The palest green is accented with an inky black in a group reflecting the Art Deco style. Again, amazing detailing is featured throughout and sizes A-F are provided options through the fashionable demi padded push up bra and lightly lined full coverage bra.

The tanga features a unique, lined mesh cut out detail in the back as well as a double banded side while the wide-side thong features detachable garters! For more coverage, choose the hipster. Additional options include a lightly padded underwire bustier and a chemise with an adjustable tie back. This group is so fantastic and detailed, it could have been called Dramatic Exits as well!

Of course, the Pfiff year-round, continuous collections (including Lavish Bouquet and Moments of Seduction) are always available in stores.

To purchase the new collection, you’ll have to wait a few more weeks, but the continuous collections and Autumn/Winter 2007-2008 are currently available in department stores (including Macy’s West) and boutiques. Online, shop at Star Boudoir.

More to come on the Autumn/Winter collection!

Couture Bra Straps Empower Women

April 24, 2008 by Krista

Strappity-Do-Da produces decorative bra straps hand made by artisans in Cali, Colombia. This unique endeavor provides employment to talented women living in the impoverished neighborhood of Siloe. Add the beautiful finished product to bras, lingerie, tank tops, or dresses for a little extra sparkle or pizzazz.Over 40 artisans, ranging in age from 18 – 60, craft straps of strong Czech glass beads (the strongest in the world) which provide comfort and support for up to a DD cup! Each Strappity product is also made of heavy nylon thread and metal hooks. Additionally, the straps feature a patent-pending adjustability technique which allows the straps to be adjusted like traditional bra straps. Designs range in colors, strand thicknesses, and designs.

Ranging in price from $28 – $50, Strappity products are sold online on the Strappity-Do-Da site as well as a number of boutiques in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

Here are just a sampling of the comments from some of the highly talented artisans. See the Strappity-Do-Da website for more stories and more about the products.

“My name is Janeth Gaviria Sanchez. I’m 45 yearls old and live in Cali, Colombia. I’m the head artisan and stylist. My day runs from 7 am to 7 pm. The money I earn helps me to help my family. There a lot of other benefits too. I hope Strappity can give good results and benefit our economy and help other single mothers.” – Janeth

“My name is Viviana Urbano, I’m 22 years old and live in Siloe, Cali, Colombia. I am in charge of sewing the straps and putting them together. I start working at 7 am and end at 5 pm. This job is really important for me because we are all trying to help our company to grow, and this way I’ll be able to help my family and my own kids. I feel really good working for this company.” – Viviana

Strappity Working

Conturelle: Elegance for All Sizes!

March 11, 2008 by Krista

At the Lingerie Americas show, I was introduced to the German line, Conturelle. Conturelle is unique in that A-H cups are accommodated by their sophisticated and seductive line. Specializing in meeting fit with fashion, Conturelle utilizes quality materials to ensure that every woman can achieve that exquisite and elegant shape she desires.

Conturelle features two sets of ranges – the never out of stock basics and the fashion collections. Some of my favorites include the Provence, Arabesque, Maroc, and Reflexion ranges.

Provence features femininity at its finest. This range, made of elastic tulle, is noted for its delicate embroidery on the bras as well as on the straps. Well-constructed, as well as beautiful, the bras create a beautiful silhouette in white, black, vanilla, or magnolia mauve. Complete the look with a thong, mini briefs, or bikini briefs.

Arabesque provides a sophisticated and classy look and is marked by its exquisite embroidery. I particularly love the look of the molded bra which is adorned with guipure embroidery on the center of the bra as well as the straps! Divine! The colors for this range include black, white, vanilla, and the incredibly rich, indigo. A matching thong, mini brief, or bikini brief is also available.

Maroc is unique in its own right. Made of sheer, elastic tulle, this range stands out for its classic diamond pattern. In black, white, vanilla, and apricot, the cleavage and underwired bras are edged in lovely eyelet embroidery. A flawless look is complete with a matching thong, mini brief, or maxi brief.

Reflexion is extraordinary! Indulge in lavish satin accented by graphic embroidery on the cups as well as the straps. Feel confident in opulent vanilla, black, Havana (a metallic shade), and amethyst. Finish the look with your choice of the thong, mini briefs, bikini, briefs, or control briefs.

So what can you buy and where can you buy it? Currently, the Harmonie, Provence, Arabesque, Perfection, and Maroc ranges are available in stores. Reflexion, along with the fashion ranges, will be available this fall. Those of you in Europe will probably have an easier time finding Conturelle in shops near you. For those of you in the U.S., I’ll keep you posted as I find stockists. However, online, try Bits of Lace or Sylene. Keep us posted in our forums if you find this great brand at a store near you!

Hollywood Fashion Tape: Fashion Solutions

February 27, 2008 by Krista

Even our favorite undergarments sometimes let us down. Straps that don’t stay put. Bras that don’t give enough oomph. Bras that are a little too thin to wear to the workplace. Well, that is why Hollywood Fashion Tape exists! Now you can know the secrets that the celebrities know to keeping everything in and looking fabulous.

The “Keep Your Clothes On Collection” includes the original apparent and body tape, Hollywood Fashion Tape, Hollywood Tag Tamers, and Hollywood Behind the Seams. The Hollywood Fashion Tape is hypo-allergenic so it is safe to use both on skin and fabrics to keep your straps hidden and tops lying flat. The easy-to-use, 3 inch strips are also ideal for securing plunging necklines and fixing hems. Need more extreme hold? The Red Carpet Assortment may solve your wardrobe problems. In 5 unique shapes (like trapezoids for the sides of your strapless tops and skinny strips for your shoes and spaghetti straps), you will feel comfortable and confident as you walk into any room. Are your tags what drive you crazy? Hollywood Tag Tamers are self-adhesive squares that can be easily applied to tags and keep you cool, sane, and free from annoying tag itch. Each pack contains 24 tag covers in 2 sizes. Tired of dry cleaning your dresses after each wear? Concerned about underarm wetness ruining your look? Enter Hollywood Behind the Seams self-adhesive apparel shields. Easily inserted, these disposable little wonders will keep you dry and in control.

Know a bride-to-be? You might interest her in the Hollywood Fashion Tape “Here Comes the Bride Collection!” Wedding Apparel Tape is perfect for those unique wedding day fashion emergencies. Hold strapless dresses in place. Secure strappy sandals. Keep garters in place. Use the Glamorous Gown Assorment (includes the same shapes found in the Red Carpet Assortment) for the trickiest wardrobe situations.

The “Bodacious Breast Collection” is designed specifically for your girls! Need to be discreet at work or elsewhere? Try the Hollywood Cover Ups Reusable Nipple Concealers. Made of hypo-allergenic silicone, these self-adhesive discs will give you a flawless appearance. Reusable up to 10 times or more, these nipple concealers are unique in that they have a tapered edge that adds to the smoothness of the look. Tired of your straps showing with your favorite racerback tanks? The clear Hollywood Hook-Ups Bra Converting Clip will not only secure straps out of site, but also give you a little extra lift. Also available are the Hollywood Clear Bra Straps and Hollywood No-Shows Disposable Nipple Concealers. Give yourself a boost with Hollywood Extras Silicone Breast Enhancers. These reusable items can be slipped into a bra or swimsuit to give you added volume or cleavage.

While the Hollywood Oil Blotting Sheets and Hollywood Make-Out Mints may not solve your wardrobe problems, but they will keep you fresh and flawless.

Look for all of the above listed products at locations worldwide.