Handmade Lingerie

Ell & Cee Lingerie

July 29, 2008 by Mandolina

We quickly mentioned Ell & Cee when we posted about Fabulicious, the new France-based online lingerie boutique, and we were very impressed with what we saw. Perfectly timed, Ell & Cee provided us with what we were hoping for earler this week: a brand new website with lots of pretty pics of their luxurious collections (both the regular as the bridal collection are very intimate and pretty and well worth checking out!). Even though the collections are very retro-inspired, the overload of frills makes Ell & Cee a very fresh and perky little label…

Pricing is not outrageous, handmade sets start at +/- £90 ($180) – knickers at £35 ($70).

For more about the label, check the excellent about Ell & Cee page on the Ell & Cee website! 🙂

Our favorites from both Ell & Cee’s collections:

Kate Gibson Lingerie: Made-to-Measure for Petites

July 10, 2008 by Brenda

Kate Gibson Lingerie, a British company, specializing in handmade bras, knickers and nightgowns for women who traditionally wear AA, A, BB, or B bras, up to a 34B, sources only the finest silks and laces for their exclusive made-to-measure creations. In addition to the quality silks and laces, the company sources limited edition fabric that is used in top fashion houses around the world. The garments are described as beautiful but fragile and are sought after for their luxurious and unique designs.

Kate Gibson Lingerie’s workmanship process is extremely fascinating as a new pattern is fabricated for each customer. Even more interesting is the fact that all the pieces are cut by hand even though some bras use upwards of thirty individual sections. The pieces are then sewn together by an experienced seamstress using a highly precisioned machine. Beads, embroidery and other fancy embellishments are then meticulously sewn on by hand. The last stage in the process is to check the exact measurements of the garment ensuring they are correct for the intended customer and then the garment is given one last quality control check. Once the garment is approved, it is shipped to the customer. The whole detail oriented process from receipt of order to shipping takes as many as eight weeks.

So fastidious with sizing and fit, the company does not even use standard sizes of wires, bands and straps. Each add-on piece is custom fitted to the woman’s size so that when finished, the garment is perfectly made. Even the thickness of the garment relates to the woman’s real body so that she does not encounter any discomfort when wearing the undergarments.

Although, the company sells bras, knickers and nightgowns, it is not possible to order knickers alone. The customer chooses the type of knicker, whether it is bikini, demi-bikini or brief, and then the company makes a set to match. In addition to the everyday petite lingerie sets, they also offer a stunning Bridal Collection.

Kate Gibson Lingerie is truly Haute Couture — more info on their official website!

Ophelia Fancy’s Ello Tiger Limited Edition

July 9, 2008 by Mandolina

A limited leopard print edition just went live on the Ophelia Fancy site, good enough a reason for us to be able to mention the lovely Brighton-based label by Stevi Jelbart and Emma Sandham-King again.

From the Ophelia Fancy site:

“This Ltd edition Ello Tiger set is fashioned from shazzy but beautifully soft leopard print polyester and trimmed to perfection with our signature ballet-bum yellow tulle. They have bright purple bows and are finished with two genuine large purple Swarovski crystals.”

The bright nipple tassels are super-fun and this very limited set (knickers & nipple tassels) is available on the Ophelia Fancy site for £42 (+/- $85).

Made by Noemi

July 5, 2008 by Rene

Made by Noemi is the label created by designer Noemi Ivanova. Noemi couldn’t find underwear that was beautiful and comfortable, so in a story familiar to many entrepreneurs, she created her own label in 2003. Noemi lives in Sweden and not surprisingly, the label is based in Sweden. Noemi makes her designs stand out by their unique combination of her styles (halter bras and high waisted panties) and carefully selected materials. All Made by Noemi products, from underwear to leather bags, are hand made in Sweden.

This year’s collection was inspired by the US television show, Dynasty.

In the 80s drama series Dynasty the women were strong with elegant and luxurious clothes. In the Made by Noemi spring/summer collection we imagine these women having left Denver, gone on safari and dressed themselves accordingly. The collection mixes bold 80s colors with softer shades of olive green and off white, resulting in underwear with an edge that enhances the personality of the wearer. There’s no risk of blending in with the background when wearing Made by Noemi underwear.

Like some other Scandinavian designers, Noemi has products for both men and women. I know plenty of women like the idea of a matching bra and panty, and Noemi extends that to include their male partners.

Noemi even offers “socks” in the matching brown and white polka dot pattern.

Pricing is not published and although you can order directly from the site, the transaction takes place over the phone or mail.

All photos are from Made by Noemi.

BambiLion Lingerie

June 19, 2008 by Mandolina

Earlier this week we found out about the new BambiLion lingerie label that was launched in May by Australian designers Hanna Ashton-Lawson and Erin Hoffrichter. Obviously trying to keep you all up to date with the latest lingerie news we quickly got in touch with them for a quick introductory interview!

Q: How did you girls end up starting a lingerie label?
A: We started the lingerie brand this year after bouncing the idea around for a long time! We were lingerie shopping, and began to reminisce about the ‘value packs’ of pretty floral underwear that our mothers used to buy us when we were little. We decided that we wanted to reinvent that floral vintage look into more sexy, modern designs.

Q: Where do you get most of your inspiration?
A: We draw a lot of inspiration from patterned fabrics, antiques fairs, 50’s fashion and burlesque. We are also inspired by brands like Pleasure State, Elegantly Scant, Damaris and Strumpet and Pink.

Q: You just started, but what are your hopes and goals for the (near) future?
A: Our goals for the near future are to begin selling in boutiques and for BambiLion to become a brand recognized (and adored) by lingerie lovers everywhere.

Well, we hope this post helps accomplishing that last bit. 😀

The first photos of their first collection:

We’re officially fans. More info about the label can be found on their MySpace page or their lovely webshop!