Press Releases

Hong Kong Mode Lingerie 2010

May 6, 2010 by Press Release

Organized by Eurovet, the world’s leading lingerie and beachwear trade show organizer and supported by the Hong Kong Intimate Apparel Industries’ Association (HKIAIA), the fourth Hong Kong Mode Lingerie which was held from March 30-31, 2010 for two days at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, had a successful and enthusiastic finale.

The fourth Hong Kong Mode Lingerie provided the best sourcing platform for lingerie professionals around the world showcasing specialized lingerie aspects with the highest quality. This year there were 29% of supplier showcasing fabrics, 23% accessories, 15% lace and 12% embroideries for lingerie and beachwear. There were 160 exhibitors around the world participating in this largest lingerie show in the industry in Hong Kong. Among these 160 exhibitors, 29% comes from Hong Kong, 28% from China, 25% from Asia and 18% from all around the world.

The Hong Kong Mode Lingerie 2010, the leading sourcing platform for intimates and beachwear, aimed at gathering the leaders and international players of this industry. Around 3600 attendees made this show a not to be missed event, and as the show was held this year concurrently with Fashion Access and APLF 2010 (other fashion related event in HKCEC), it attracted an additional 41% of visitors who showed interest in knowing more about the trends and meeting suppliers, thus creating a proven synergy between the shows.

The attendance of the intimate apparel industry was of the best quality with more than two thirds of the attendees who were general managers, heads of purchasing departments as well as chief designers joining the fair. Representatives from major intimate apparel groups and brands had attended the event: Abercrombie & Fitch, Aimer Lingerie Co., Ltd, American Eagle Outfitters Asia Limited, Bogart Lingerie Ltd, Chantelle, Chasney Beauty Pty Ltd, Easy Shop Taiwan, Embry (HK) Ltd, GAP International Sourcing Ltd, Giorgio Armani SPA, H&M Hennes & Mauritz, JC Penney, Jockey Far East, Li & Fung (Trading), Maidenform USA, Marks & Spencer, MAS Holdings, MAST Industries (Far East) Ltd, Peach John, Schiesser International, Triumph International, Victoria’s Secret, Wacoal International, Warnaco and many more. It was proven that the Hong Kong Mode Lingerie was a major international sourcing event for visitors.

What Katie Did: New Corsets!

October 20, 2009 by Mandolina

What Katie Did designer Katie Halford began her career as a corset fitter over 15 years ago, before going on to develop her own collection. But a decade on from the launch of her company, What Katie Did’s now-famous corset range has grown from one style to an impressive eight; with the A/W 09 collection boasting what must be the largest choice of corsets around. There’s a cut to suit every shape and size; and a style that will appeal to everyone – from glamour queens and tight-lacing Dita-wannabes, to those simply looking for some sexy lingerie to wear on a night out… or a night in!

Overbusts

Sophia is the most popular of What Katie Did’s corsets, with a gently curved silhouette that’s neither too extreme-looking or constricting to put off corset newcomers; but with just the right amount of cinching to satisfy experienced wearers. Its curved cups ensure that A-E-cup breasts are pushed delicately upwards and together. Those who are considerably more endowed needn’t despair though, because decadent Dolly combines the same classic cut with slightly more room in the bust; perfect for those lucky ladies whose D+ cups runneth over.

These two have a naughty big sister, Laurie – an overbust style with real va-va-voom. It features the same shaped cups for perfect uplift, but with WKD’s signature gored hips, Laurie gives a fantastically well-defined waistline. It’s enough to make even Jessica Rabbit jealous!

The 18th Century-inspired Antoinette is the WKD’s newest overbust style. Its balconette bustline and innovative pointed sides mean that even the most well-upholstered needn’t fear an overspill of fulsome flesh – simply a ravishing pair of (well-supported!) heaving bosoms. With gored hips for a truly ravishing silhouette, it’s just like its antique counterpart, but considerably more comfortable.

Underbusts

Gina was the very first corset that What Katie Did designed, and it’s still a firm favourite amongst their customers. It gives a smooth and defined shape, but, like Sophia, not one that’s too extreme. The addition of the signature gores to this basic underbust created Mae. The beauty of the goring is that hips are not compressed, and waists can therefore be cinched down even further, for a very pronounced hourglass shape. Those with a large waist-hip ratio look particularly spectacular in the gored hip versions of What Katie Did’s corsets for this reason!

Wickedly tempting, Morticia is a slightly longer-line style based on the Mae shape, and the latest version to incorporate goring. The longer busk and lower hip-line ensure that shapely derrieres are shown off to their full advantage, while the waist is pulled in as tightly as desired. Morticia is so well cut and designed, that many customers find they can actually go down a size!

The newest underbust style, Baby, is a little 7” waist cincher designed to be worn under clothes. It’s directly inspired by Christian Dior’s post-war New Look fashions, and the boned waist-nippers that his models were tightly laced into to achieve that incredibly dramatic silhouette. Baby’s clever cut allows the waist to be substantially reduced, but its small size makes it incredibly comfortable.

As always – more info on whatkatiedid.com!

“You Had Me From Hello”, Enamore Catwalk Show @ London Fashion Week

October 13, 2009 by Mandolina

These photos are from the much-anticipated “You Had Me From Hello” catwalk show by Enamore at the London Fashion week. We’ve been Enamore-followers ever since their collaboration with Ayten Gasson, and with these photos -they’ve renewed our “fan-status” for at least two more years. The show was a cabaret event held at the prestigious Buddha Bar, and it looks like people were treated to something very, very special!

Far from the standard runway show, Enamore’s 2010 catwalk was a fashion performance/striptease, featuring burlesque dancers and models selected for their boisterous personalities and striking natural attributes. With amazing burlesque performances from Fifi Fatale, Violet Crumble and Miss Dolly Rose, who could resist!

The show featured the Enamore 2010 lingerie collection designed by Jenny Ambrose and matching jewellery and accessoriess designed and hand made by Catarina Vassalo as well as a sneak peak at the Miss Toy for Enamore collection. Miss Toy is a sultry silk collection of come to bed ensembles with a fashion twist winking to the fantastical. The Miss Toy collection is set to come out before Christmas 2010.

This was also the launch of the cheeky nipple tassle and pasties range designed for Enamore by Alice Holloway. Holloway-Smith Femme studied jewellery at Central Saint Martins, and dressmaking in the backroom of a dance costume shop and can now turn any breast, boob, or bap in to a veritable feast for the eyes. Watch out for the first designs coming out on our website in time for Christmas 2009!

The venue décor was opulent, original and playful, with amber coloured lighting, rich mahogany furniture and luxurious fabric in lush reds and gold with a stunning set design by Tom Abel and Willow Hilson. The stage set combined with the fabulous soundtrack and the scene was set for guests to experience the sensual playful world of Enamore, where models danced, strutted and flirted their way down the winding stairs and across the centre catwalk.

The entire show has been captured on camera and a film will be released in the coming weeks.

Show makeup by Laura Tucker & Gosia with hair styled by Amanda Bowler, Emma Rees & Riccardo Mazzocco. Photos thanks to Nick Grant. More info on Enamore.co.uk!

2009 Harrogate Lingerie & Swimwear Exhibition: a great succes!

September 3, 2009 by Mandolina

Visitors discovered the most comprehensive, innovative and varied selection of intimate apparel all under the one roof, with over 300 collections for SS2010 showcased during this trade-only event. The Harrogate Lingerie and Swimwear Exhibition was held from Sunday 16th until Tuesday 18th August 2009 at the Harrogate International Centre, Yorkshire, England.

First time and returning exhibitors found the show an ideal platform to launch new concepts and brand collections to a wide audience of key independent boutique owners, store groups, on-line / high street retailers, and a selection of press/media guests. The overall feel during the three-day exhibition was positive and a general understanding that there is a light at the end of this recessionary tunnel! More than 1,200 buyers attended over the three days with about 300 returning for a second or third day at the show; a good sign that buyers are making the most of their visit.

Organisers feel the new exhibition layout, the return of many high profile exhibiting brands, the introduction of professional specialist fit and fuller figure presentations, and the launch of the Carlin trend prediction seminars offered an extended reason to visit Harrogate this season.

Jo Smith, event director, commented: “It was encouraging to see such a positive outlook from both visitors and exhibitors at Harrogate. The industry was well represented over three packed halls and the educational seminars were well attended throughout. I am looking forward to building on this to re-enforce Harrogate as the one and only national show for this industry in 2010.”

An exquisitely stylised catwalk showcase repeated three times daily in Hall B presented exhibitor collections within a professional runway production. Scenes included The De Montfort University Graduates, The London Fashion Week Preview, The Harrogate Boutique, and international branded collections including Karen Millen, Panache, Lejaby and more.

Leading international trend agents Carlin presented complimentary seminars within the Harrogate Royal Hall (adjacent to the exhibition halls). Offering buyer audiences a key insight into the forthcoming season’s trend influences, style, colour, and market predictions, they were standing-room-only throughout.

On Monday 17th, the newly crowned Miss England 2009 (Rachel Christie, niece to Linford Christie) took centre stage on the catwalk for a press photo call, modelling a stunning yellow swimwear piece by Jantzen. Rachel visited the exhibition to get a sneak preview of forthcoming swimwear collections and to choose pieces for her trip to Miss World in South Africa in December.

The Sun & Swim London Show collaborated with the Harrogate Exhibition to host a special preview for swim, beach and resort brands during a Monday night BBQ soirée, held at Harrogate’s beautiful Sun Pavilion. The evening included an art deco style fashion show with brands such as Valery Blu, After Eden, Mendels, Mya Blue, Naturana, Agua Bendita, Cyell and Chaslyn.

Maxine of London Silk Shapewear

August 28, 2009 by Mandolina

Exclusive to the FairyGothMother website / Lulu and Lush boutique and handmade in London by Maxine herself, each ensemble is created from ivory and black pure silk satin and delicate silk brocades with the iconic quilting evocative of Chanel, and is finished with ruched silk straps and gold hardware. The ultimate in shapewear design and luxury, Maxine’s unique cinchers and girdles are fully steel boned to ensure a perfect hourglass figure.

The 1950’s-inspired bridal lingerie set is absolutely stunning in ivory silk with brocade panels, comprising of a balconette bra, cincher girdle and brief. The underwired bra features brocade and pintuck quilted cups, ruched silk straps and gold hardware. The steel-boned lace-back cincher girdle sits under the bust and provides an excellent waist reduction whilst also shaping the hips, with quilted and brocade panels and detatchable ruched suspender straps. Matched with the silk brocade briefs and some pearls, this lingerie set is ideal for retro brides. (Balconette bra: £95, Cincher girdle: £135, Brief: £35)

For more control over the tummy and hips, the steel boned longline corset girdle provides wonderful curves all the way from the bust line down to the hips. Again created from pure ivory silk and a delicate ivory brocade, the corset girdle features four detachable ruched suspender straps with gold hardware, back lacing and quilted hip panels. Wear with Maxine’s matching balconette silk bra to complete this glamorous shapewear ensemble. (Balconette bra: £95, Girdle corset: £295, Brief: £35)

The unique waistcoated bra, suspender belt and brief set is handmade from ivory pure silk and brocade with pintuck quilting to create a luxurious ensemble – a must-have for any lingerie connoisseur! The waistcoated balconette bra fastens at the back with mock front lacing and features pintuck quilting panels. The set is completed by matching silk brocade knickers and a front-fastening suspender belt with detachable ruched straps. (Waistcoated bra: £135, Suspender belt: £55, Brief: £56)

This attention-grabbing futuristic ensemble is FairyGothMother’s absolute favourite, available in black silk with pintuck quilting. The underwired plunge bra has quilted panels on the cups and fits perfectly with the steel-boned girdle corset, designed to cinch the waist whilst also shaping the hips and tummy for maximum impact. The four black suspender straps with silver hardware are detachable, and a matching brief is also available. (Plunge bra: £125, Girdle corset: £325, Brief: £56)