Layla L'obatti

Introducing Arabesque by Layla L’obatti

April 27, 2011 by Inbound

The dynamic duo behind Between the Sheets Lingerie, Layla and Josh, were recently featured on the Sundance Channel reality show, All on the Line, in which they were challenged to take their brand in a new direction by creating some ready to wear looks. The episode explored how Layla navigated this dare to depart from her roots and training in intimate apparel. We won’t reveal any more, but we will say that the episode did raise a few questions for us about how lingerie is viewed in the fashion industry. As lingerie enthusiasts, it is hard to hear that lingerie should just be a starting point for branching into ready to wear or that it is just a niche market. (It is a conversation we’d like to keep having, so head over to our Facebook page and keep it going or tweet us about your thoughts! We thought Lingerie Talk made some great points.)

In the meantime, we will reveal the amazing collection that resulted from that experience, Arabesque, but first, we wanted to congratulate Josh for being invited to the first ever fashion law bar committee of the New York City Bar Association! What an honor!

And now, Arabesque…

Arabesque, the latest addition to the Layla L’obatti collection, is stunning. Made of opulent, midnight blue silk paired with tea dyed lace and complemented by exquisite ivory cotton silk, each piece in the collection is inspired dually by the elegance and grace of a ballerina and the rich and vibrant culture of the Middle East. This video, featuring the lovely Susan Coffey, encapsulates that vision.

Some images of the collection are featured below. My personal faves are the playsuit, robe, and caftan although they are all stunning! Let me know what yours are! Pieces in this collection will be available by the end of summer. We’ll let you know where, of course, so stay tuned!

Curve NY and NY Showrooms Part 1: Interviews

March 1, 2011 by Krista

This past week in New York has been incredibly busy. I’ve seen so many brands and have so much information to bring you about what is to come in the lingerie industry in 2011. Our friends from Lelo, Hanky Panky, Between the Sheets, and ARI DEIN were generous (and daring) enough to let us film our recent conversations with them about their brands, trends, and more!

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!

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!

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!

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!

A Glimpse of Spring: Behind the Scenes with BTS!

January 26, 2011 by Krista

I recently caught up with designer, Layla L’obatti, of Between the Sheets. She was kind enough to share her upcoming spring collection with us and tell us a bit more about her inspiration. In the thick of winter here, any glimpse of summer and sun is welcome!

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.

The Latest from Layla L’obatti for Between the Sheets!

December 1, 2009 by Krista

Check out this behind the scenes look at the August 2009 photo shoot of the holiday/spring collection of Layla L’obatti for Between the Sheets.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhzgMgcGmjs[/youtube]

I’m sure you are as excited as I am for this opulent and exquisite line to finally be available for purchase. The collection will hit stores in January and will also be available on the site. (However, if you just can’t wait, contact sales@btslingerie.com for both wholesale and personal orders.)

Just to whet your appetite even more, see below for some photographs including amazing detail shots, the designer behind the scenes, and the photos from the photo shoot.

For more information on the Layla L’obatti collection, see the website. While you are there, don’t forget to check out the rest of the BTS collection. Enjoy!

Special thanks to designer, Layla L’obatti, video editor, Vincent Welch, and photographers, Bob Nittoli and Larry Baglio. Your work is INCREDIBLE!

More from Between the Sheets Lingerie

July 18, 2009 by Krista

I recently told you about the Between the Sheets comeback to the world of lingerie. I wanted you all to get a glimpse of a few of the pieces that will be in the upcoming collection. Keeping true to the fun and lighthearted theme of “play in your lingerie,” each piece is versatile and can serve as both innerwear and outerwear (if you’re creative!). The simplicity and ease of the collection makes it sexy in a girl next door kind of way. With the ability to mix and match the pieces, you’ll always be comfortable, stylish, and ready to play.

For those of you interested in a more sophisticated look, the Layla L’obatti for BTS collection is for you. Elegance, opulence, and glamour are evident in each stunning piece. Surround yourself in decadent satin and lace on a special day or any day and you’re guaranteed to feel like a million bucks!

Readers, while the buyers will get their first glimpse of the collection next month at Curvexpo New York, you will have to wait a few more months to get your hands on Between the Sheets. But it’s never too early to start drooling over the collection. Since my words alone won’t do them justice, see the rest of the images below and visit the Between the Sheets and Layla L’obatti websites. Enjoy!

Special thanks to photographer Larry Baglio for sharing these amazing shots with us!