blogleaves

Goodbye Noughties, Hello Nineties?!

2010 is predicted to be a big year for denim, the staple of the 90’s wardrobe.

Denim, in forms other than trousers, often sends a shudder to fashionistas across the world. We all know the nineties did irreparable damage to the fabric, the term acid-wash has been forever banished to land of never again, but surprisingly denim is making a comeback. And whats more, we love it.

Several key trends have been identified for next year, with emphasize on fitted, tailored cuts that flatter the figure and emphasize shape, as opposed to the ‘I’m about to drown in this denim disaster’ look characterized by the baggy, shapeless forms popular twenty years ago.

For Girls

-   Distressed/ Bleached details

-   Fitted jackets and blazers

-   Military and Nautical styles

-   Mixed hues, think indigos with uber bleached.

 

For Guys

-   Ripped is back

-   Loose fit, great alternative to skinny

-   Whiskering, splattered paint effects. Get messy!

 

We love these pieces from our Spring/ Summer 2010 collection!

 

 
 
 
 

A new leaf

The new year is only a day away but already I'm dreaming of spring. The weather outside is damp and gloomy but a quick look through our latest lingerie arrivals immersed me in a petal coloured world of tea parties and garden picnics, long sunny mornings and warm, slow-fading evenings.

Make a fresh start and think about those colours that will lift your mood and define your style in the coming season. For me, the three colours to invest in will be: pink (all shades); soft blues; warm, creamy nudes. As any lingerie lover knows, what you wear under your clothes (or without them - with undies this gorgeous why cover them up at home?) will affect how you feel - at least for me, knowing I look good is a long way to feeling good too.

So, for pinks I'm loving cool and frosty shades that remind me of homemade strawberry ice-cream, along with deeper tones through juicy peach right down to intense and sultry fuchsia. Nothing looks more feminine than pink, especially contrasted with soft grey wraps or bed socks, but you can make the look more grown-up with gold tone accessories.

 
 

With blue, I'm leaving bold electric colours for summer when I'll (hopefully) have the tan to set them sparkling. For now, softer cornflower hues feel more appropriate and will look more flattering against my sun starved skin! Rich coral accessories or nail varnish will pop against this shade, while mint and jade greens will create an interesting contrast.

 
 
 
 Which leaves us with nude. I'm a big fan of Elle Macpherson's Treasured collection in Ivory - the pale purple trims make nude subtly sexy. Sweet, vintage details whisper of past glamour with nude styles so I'll be on the look-out for lace, embroidery and ribbon finishes.

 
 
 
 Well, it may seem a bit early to get carried away with spring flourishes, bit with Christmas over and the rain smattering against my office window, I think a little treat to look forward to is definitely called for! Bring on the new season...

Merry Christmas

 love from figleaves.com
 
 

We're dreaming of a white Christmas

Christmas Eve is only a week away. That means that there’s only five more shopping days at  
figleaves.com to get your gifts in time ready to be lovingly wrapped and piled under the Christmas tree. As excitement mounts we’re looking forward to the moment that all that beautiful gift wrap comes off in a flurry of anticipation of what’s inside.

If the current weather is anything to go by, we’re hoping to wake up Christmas morning to a blanket of snow covering our gardens and window sills. The magic of snow fall is that it takes away the bitter sting of cold that usually keeps us cosied up indoors and calls us outside to play in a winter wonderland. But before you venture outdoors remember you’ll need to wrap up warm and we’re here to help you do it.

Team our ruched hem leggings with a silk mix long sleeved top. Layer up with one of our Waterfall wrap cardigans and finish with a fluffy cable soft scarf and matching beret. If you’re going to be building snowmen or throwing snowballs add a pair of butter soft Southcombe leather gloves to keep hands warm and dry. For an extra festive twist why not try them in ruby red?

If you prefer to watch your winter’s tale unfold from indoors, then snuggle up in cashmere loungewear and fine knits. Just Sheepskin have boots and slippers for all the family. For him, for her and for your Christmas angels, they’ll keep toes toasty warm in style, inside and out.

  
For a truly silent night choose Calvin Klein gift sets for both men and women. Add a touch of luxury with the Tommy Hilfiger Velour robe or the figleaves Cashmere long robe .They’re the perfect accompaniment to the sweetest of dreams of the whitest of Christmases.

Sexy silhouettes

Say no to festive guilt and yes to the brandy butter with these sexy and slimming designs for men and women. 

The return of corsets, basques and the like are seeing a popular revival this season. We love the Fidji basque by Simone Perele, and the Antoinette basque by Masquerade has been one of our best sellers drawing its inspiration from feminine silhouettes, like that of screen siren Marilyn Monroe.

Clothing that shapes and sculpts the figure is nothing new, in fact both men and women for centuries wore corsets. The Dandy style, popular with European men in the 18th century almost certainly guaranteed the wearing of a corset. With current trends focusing on classic, tailored design, the desire to flatter and flaunt your figure has never been greater and that goes for both sexes.

Here at figleaves.com, we think confidence from clothing shouldn’t be limited, our shapewear for men, supports and compliments the male figure, emphasizing the best qualities of the masculine physique. 

 
Boxer David Hay wears Equmen as he trains benefiting from the tempearture control and the core supporting properties the pieces will give you in the gym. The Equmen range utilises Helix-mapping technology to hold and tighten problem areas making it a perfect choice of undershirt for the office party.
 
It’s the perfect way to look good and feel great this festive season.

Breakfast at figleaves

Yesterday Audrey Hepburn's Givenchy dress from How to Steal a Million sold at auction for £60,000. While we did not manage to get our hands on the black chantilly lace cocktail piece, we were inspired to recreate the demure glamour of our favourite leading lady.

This season has seen a huge return to the screen glamour of the 40’s and 50’s. Think Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Fred Astaire.

Luxurious fabrics like silk, satin and chiffon are seeing a popular resurgence. Trimmed with rich velvets and lace,  desire for both quality and beauty is making its mark.

Looking back to a time when design was classically simple and elegant, pieces bought this season will continue to remain timeless, perhaps a necessity in these tighter economic times.

For all the lucky females out there this means there have been some gorgeous, feminine designs which have hailed the cries, why I have I not had this before? Like this pretty Julianne Samantha slip and this gorgeous Infatuation camisole by Elle Macpherson intimates

 
Men can enjoy a return to tailored, slim fitting styles and accessories. Tweed, tartan, velvet and leather; the more kitsch, the better.

Quality and style has transcended into the male market, with men’s luxury accessories being one of the fastest sellers in 2009. We love these leather gloves by Dents, Merino gift sets from Ralph Lauren and this slim fit V neck cardigan by John Smedley.

 
Robust, stylish and warming. Ideal for combating the cold this winter. 

Teens Unite Charity fashion show photographs

 
Karen Millen with figleaves.com CEO Julia Reynolds

  
Seaspray Polka Dot swimsuit and Seafolly Goddess bikini 

  
figleaves Waterfall maxi dress, Harvey Mushman board shorts and Seafolly Twist bandeau bikini and brief

 
 
Calvin Klein pj set and figleaves nightwear gift set

  
figleaves 100% Cashmere loungewear, Harvey Mushman t-shirt and figleaves hoody and lounge pant, and figleaves Waterfall wrap cardigan, jersey vest and ruched hem legging

  
figleaves Silk chemise

  
figleaves Heavy feather print dress and figleaves Embellished hem dress

  
Carol Malony Morning Dew balconette bra and short

  
Dita Von Teese for Wonderbra Satin Teese bra and high waisted suspender belt

 
Calvin Klein Steel United trunks

Le geek, c'est chic

Fashion blogger The Chic Geek has honoured us with a one week wearer trial of men's underwear, inspired by Matt Garratt's experiments in October. Working his way at random through a bag of thongs, trunks, shorts, briefs and (hem hem) 'profile enhancing' pieces, he discusses thoughts and feelings on the various garments.

We had a good chuckle as we read through his verdicts (the thong in particular seems to be an acquired though popular taste - marmite for men as Matt would say). Based on his findings, may we suggest Hom's Black Addict or Equmen's shaping trunks for any gentlemen hoping for a bit of Christmas party shenanigans under the mistletoe this year...

 

Teens Unite charity fashion show

Last week figleaves.com were honoured to support the Teens Unite charity fashion show in Hertfordshire. Toni and Guy provided all the hair and make up for the models, including our very own Jerry and Lauren. We dressed 25 models in our AW09 lines, with some sneak peeks at what to expect from SS10.

Some of the figleaves.com team before the show

We’d like to give a huge thank you to all our models for strutting their stuff. Other than Emma Noble who opened the show for us, none were professional models. All were ordinary people volunteering their time to lend their support and we were overwhelmed by their positive and confident attitudes, especially those of the boys as they sashayed down our catwalk in just their Calvins.

Our marketing manager Christina had put together an array of outfits featuring pieces from our swim, lingerie, loungewear, luxury, party and men’s underwear collections. Remi looked a dream in the Carol Malony Morning Dew set in powder pink, adorned with a frosting of sparkles. Jade captured the spirit of burlesque in the red Dita Von Teese Satin Teese bra and waist cinching suspender belt, complete with figleaves Italian hosiery. Representing the men, Paddy and Pete stepped out in luxury John Smedley knits, Calvin Klein jeans and cosy figleaves loungewear.

Carole Malony Morning Dew and Dita Von Teese for Wonderbra Satin Teese
 
The catwalk show was choreographed by the charismatic Kevin Adams. He did a fantastic job at putting all the models through their paces and ensured our runway was as packed with turns and pouts as it was with tasty treats.

 Our stand at the show

Outside, the lovely Lisa worked tirelessly selling the featured products which the fashion show audience were clamouring to get their hands on as for Christmas gifts. Favourites from the evening included the figleaves embellished hem dress, the Adele Marie snake beaded bracelet, cute, fluffy robes for your little Christmas angels and candles by True Grace, all of which will make for a perfect pile under the tree this season.