I confess, it was my virgin trip to the Los Angeles Textile Show. What an experience! I went through over a hundred booths seeking those “it” pieces of fabric that I had designed my Spring ’09 Eve’s Apples lingerie line around.
I can’t deny it, I adored the French lace. If French lace is a sin, then I don’t want redemption. Unfortunately, with the U.S. economy being so fragile and my greatest attempt at staying away from the higher end pieces, my lovely lace was still priced at over $90 per meter…Time to reconsider my line.
After three days of silk, satin, and lace, two Project Runway alumni sightings and one caffine infused drink every hour, I focused on looking for inspiration pieces. Fortunately, that is just what I found. Time and sleep solved the sensory overload from last week and a few pieces have stuck with me that inpsired an entirely new line.
The big hit of the show was all of the new eco-fabrics in bamboo, hemp, and recycled materials. I have to agree with Women’s Wear Daily and say that next year, I think we’ll see a lot more of eco-friendly garments, including lingerie, in the market place. Here is a round of applause to companies creating fabric that is both sustainable for the environment and can be as soft as sillk.
In spring 2009, we’ll see designers rethinking and recreating the look of luxurious lingerie. Due to ingenious approaches to fabric and the varying international economys, lingerie designers have a great opportunity to be even more innovative with their styles and use of embellishing materials. I’m excited to see what wonderful and creative delicacies are revealed next year!
“As well as designing and making for her own label, Ayten Gasson has collaborated with fashion label Enamore by Jenny Ambrose to create a range of hand made lingerie using hemp blended with silk/cotton and vintage prints. The designs are inspired by vintage shapes focusing on knickers and soft bras with camisoles and kimonos to come later in summer.”
