A quick update on the Britney underwear situation: we're delighted to report that, fresh from a ticking off from no less than Rosie O'Donnell [TMZ.com], Britney Spears has finally been lingerie shopping [All Headline News].
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November 30, 2006
This week's genius lingerie idea: shapewear for the gym
Grimacing your way through two sets of lunges is hard enough without having to look at your wobbly bits in the mirror as you do so. So well done Anita for devising these special sports knickers with a control panel at the front - not that they provide an excuse for skipping your abs work, mind.
PS The matching seamless bra (very important, that - no seams = no chafing) looks good too.
November 29, 2006
A Whole New Robe
Time to confess my small - but, you'll agree, significant - part in launching the career of Peter Andre. Many years ago (way back when Take That were conquering the world as a five piece) I was covering a basketball match for teen mag Just Seventeen when an energetic young Aussie took to the pitch to entertain us at half time. So impressive were his back flips that I mentioned it to the celeb editor, who duly reported this mild case of "swoon, swoon, thud syndrome" in what was possibly the first mention of Peter Andre in the teen press.
Who could have predicted that he would still be with us more than a decade later? In fact, here he is brandishing a roll of toilet paper on the cover of this week's Heat magazine:
Anyway, we're not here to make snide remarks about the duets album he's just released with wife Katie Price. No, what's noteworthy about the cover is the very stylish Playboy robe he's wearing - supplied by figleaves.com, of course.
November 28, 2006
Elle's Intimate Moments
Here's our favourite supermodel turned lingerie designer Elle Macpherson on the set of her latest campaign shoot. Shot by fashion photographer Regan Cameron, it's a continuation of the brand's 'Intimate Moments' theme - the idea that everybody has an intimate (you see what they're doing there?) story to tell.
Says Elle of the images: "They evoke mystery and intrigue, a sense of what lies beneath the surface. It's up to the viewer to form their own ideas based on the cues they're given."
In other words, you decide what's going on. What is the model, above right, doing in the workshop with the screwdrivers, varnish and that rather spooky doll? You'll have to use your own imagination to find the answers... do let us know what you come up with.
PS shown above - Elle Macpherson Intimates Notorious bra and short
November 24, 2006
Belated birthday greetings to Calvin Klein, who turned 64 last week (sharing a birthday, we notice, with Meg Ryan, Jodie Foster and Allison Janney of The West Wing fame). You can't get enough of the man's undies - not only has Calvin Klein just been voted Best Menswear Brand in the figleaves.com Lingerie Awards for the second year running, but it also picked up the gong for Best Sleepwear Brand too.
What's hot right now? Well, a lot of our nearest and dearest will be finding these cosy sleepwear gift sets under the tree this Christmas, while for men there is some rather nice flannel nightwear and - a big trend, this - striped woven boxers in addition to all the usual logo band favourites.
Poetry Corner
Why we love French lingerie: never mind the delicious laces or traditional techniques; it's the flowery language that gets us every time. Take this from the Princesse Tam-Tam website:
"In Wonderland she unlocks her dreams, gorges herself on confectionery and cages, indulges in enthralling reminiscences that leave her dizzy with delight and opens the cage."
Think you can do better? Princesse Tam-Tam is inviting you to submit your creative writing (or, in their words, "Let the words dance across the page in time to the music you hear in your heart..."). Send you romantic musings to: lemag@princessetam-tam.com
PS. Pictured above - Princessse Tam-Tam's Vanite (left) and Insolente (right)
November 23, 2006
November 22, 2006
Fun with Wonderbra
It's the lingerie equivalent of the 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle. The Wonderbra Multi Plunge has finally arrived and there are 100 - yes, 100 - ways to wear it. Four are pictured above; only another 96 to go...
With detachable straps and eyelets all the way around the bra, it certainly solves a party dress dilemma or two. Even better, it guarantees hours of fun over the Christmas holidays - see if you can figure out all 100 permutations. If you get stuck, Wonderbra has very kindly put together this showreel.
November 21, 2006
Lift your bum with Trinny and Susannah
OK, so we're not entirely won over by Trinny and Susannah's marriage guidance skills over on ITV but here they are back to what they do best - helping women look better in their clothes. The pair have been busy collaborating with Cette on their own range of shapewear and the fruits of their labour - Trinny & Susannah Original Magic Knickers - have just hit the site. "After a decade of researching and road testing shapewear, we have found what we believe to be the ultimate pair of magic knickers," they say. "These will suck you in and hoik you up quicker than any diet or exercise regime."
And, yes, we're told that it is T & S themselves bravely showing off their figure flaws on the before and after shots on the packaging. Way to go.
November 17, 2006
Charlotte: it's a cinch
"Charlotte's corset cheat," declared this week's Now magazine, which featured Charlotte Church on the cover - she's been snapped out and about with a corset nipping in her waist under her fitted top. Sensible girl, we say - why spend the winter working at a wasp waist when there is all kinds of shapewear to do it for you these days?
A hundred ways with a Wonderbra
So excited about the new Wonderbra - arriving on the site any day now. The multiway to end all multiways, it can be worn 100 (count 'em) ways. Don't believe it? Wonderbra very cannily rounded up 100 models to demonstrate - here they are at the National Gallery in London.
image: big pictures
November 16, 2006
Julianne in InStyle
More figleaves.com products in the Christmas shopping guides... InStyle magazine included this red silk Julianne slip in its round up of street style gifts for the fashion savvy.
November 15, 2006
Freya's 'fros in a spin
If you're loving the blonde 'fros in Freya's current ad campaign (and who wouldn't?), here they are spinning around in the ad break bumpers for The Clothes Show, newly revamped - and sponsored by Freya - on UKTV Style.
And while we're talking Freya, congratulations on winning the Best Larger Cup Size Brand category of the figleaves.com Lingerie Awards for the second year running.
November 14, 2006
Customer faves
Lots of you have been sending in your customer favourites:
"My favourite range is the Kalyani range of bras as they are so comfortable and yet still pretty." Joanne
"I would be completely lost without my Vix bikinis. It’s either a Vix or I have to have them made to order. I have a very small bottom and narrow hips which means that even the smallest pair of bikini bottoms hang off me and look baggy and totally unflattering. The fabric used by Vix for their bikinis means that the fit is superb. I can also buy the tops and bottoms separately which is a huge bonus given that I am a 30 D cup!" Anna
"Have to agree that Freya Rio bra is the best ever!" Ann
"I have found the most amazing bra, it's called Fantasie Smoothing t-shirt bra. This bra is wonderful in every way - it has good support, thin shoulder straps and is so soft and comfortable to wear, the nude colour is virtually invisible under tight fitting clothes." Jo
left to right: Kalyani, Vix, Freya Rio, Fantasie Smoothing
Keep 'em coming - leave a comment below to tell us about your favourites. (Mine is the Huit Muse, since we're sharing).
November 10, 2006
Something kinda oooh
Must confess to owning a copy of Girls Aloud's greatest hits - lovely to sing along to in the car if you skip over the cover versions. Anyway, Sarah Harding has been on all the front pages this week thanks to her new modelling deal with Ultimo. The brand's Michelle Mone was inspired to cast Sarah after seeing pictures of her in a bikini, apparently. But enough with the waffle; here are some more pics of the lovely Sarah.
November 08, 2006
Cruise collection
So we were thinking of hosting a little Boxing Day at-home round my house this Christmas but it turns out that everyone - everyone - will be away, having had the good sense to book a winter holiday.
A trend, clearly - hence the growing importance of cruise collections. figleaves.com swimwear buyer Amanda Lepar gave me a sneak peek at the swimwear due to hit the site this month - so those of you clever souls who are jetting off somewhere hot can wow 'em on the beaches this Christmas.
"Red is the hot colour for next summer," promises Amanda - so get a head start courtesy of Freya and Fantasie.
More trends: stripes (see Seafolly, below right) chocolate (Moontide, below left), the new gold - a creamy champagne (Aguaclara and Aubade) and olive green (Aguaclara again, above).
And if you don't fancy embarking on a bikini diet right now (madness once the party season kicks in, after all) there's always Seaspray's New Plain one piece with a touch of control.
More new swimwear after the click.
