Blog
Something For The Weekend? May 24 2013
We are pleased to announce the launch of a mini collection of silk knickers inspired by a colourful selection of lavish cocktail drinks. The Plum Margarita, Champagne Fizz, Bellini Tini, and Raspberry Daiquiri Knicker are all proudly made in Britain, using vintage Nottingham lace trims and finished with UK made satin bows. Priced at £38.00.
For a limited time only we are offering 20% off each of these knickers (Was £38.00 Now £30.40 - Offer ends on the 31st May 2013)
Which one will you choose?
20% Discount Code For Kiss Me Deadly April 18 2013
As you may know we are very good friends with the lovely ladies from Kiss Me Deadly, the London based vintage inspired lingerie label. We are constantly swapping lingerie sets with the KMD team, and thought we could pass this on to our fans and followers. To receive 20% off anything on the Kiss Me Deadly website for one week only, just enter code AYTENFANS at the checkout. You can also sign up for their newsletter for more information. We have also extended our current discount code to all Kiss Me Deadly fans with 20% off all our collections (including sale items) at www.aytengasson.com - just enter 20SPRING at the checkout. This code is valid until the end of April. Happy shopping!
The History Of The Bridal Garter April 16 2013
The History Of The Garter.
Originally used to hold up stockings and socks, the garter has now become the must have item for every bride. The wedding garter, placed just above the knee, is traditionally worn by the bride and removed by the groom at the end of the reception and thrown towards the unmarried male guests. Historically, this tradition relates to the belief that taking an article of the bride's clothing would bring good luck
'Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and a Silver Sixpence for Her Shoe.'
We try and incorporate as many bridal traditions when designing our garters. Some include your something old -the vintage lace, while others include your something blue - in a small blue satin ribbon. Our charms, such as the key and the horseshoe amulet can be removed and worn as a pendant after the wedding, or passed onto another bride as their something borrowed. Some of our garters are elegantly simple and feature just a small lace trim and satin bow, allowing you to use your own ‘borrowed’ charm. And finally, your handmade garter, made in our Brighton studio, is the something new.
Our Bespoke Garter Service.
To celebrate the launch of our bespoke bridal garter service we invited three brides-to-be to our Brighton studio to create their own garters. With a choice of silks and an array of Vintage English laces, some dating back 40 years, each bride was able to select the perfect combination of trim and finishing details, such as delicate blue satin bows (your something blue). I hope the brides-to-be had as much fun as I did and are happy with their creations. A sunny day was made even better by an afternoon of lingerie design – and a few glasses of celebratory Prosecco!
The beautiful brides to be pick their vintage laces and satin bows
Finishing touches are added such as hand tied ribbon bows and gems
The lovely brides with their finish garters
Is “Made In Britain” the new buzz phrase? – One year on April 06 2013
A year ago I voiced my views on the current ‘Made in Britain’ trend and my concern that the phase was only a buzzword that would be used until the spotlight faded on the subject. The launch of Mary Portas’ Kinky Knickers meant the UK fashion industry was in the public eye and it seemed the press loved that Portas was “turning the lights back on for Great British manufacturing”. Though I was disappointed to see that independent designers, myself included, were not being acknowledged for their continued support of the industry, I was hoping that it would highlight the importance of the UK manufacturing trade to a wider audience.
A year on and I am pleased to say there have been some changes in the industry. The brands who manufactured in the UK last year are still doing so, and the boutiques who have always supported them are still buying. But there does seem to be a wider awareness of the Made in Britain stamp. Fantastic blogs and directories, such as makeitbritish.co.uk, are amazing in creating more exposure for brands. While social media networks are buzzing with #buybritish hashtags and British independent designer groups, another exciting development is the launch of Best Of Britannia in October last year. Now in it’s second year, the London event celebrates British design and manufacturing skills and features exhibitors such as Age Of Scarves, The Merchant Fox and Tusting Bags. This year we are proud to announce Best Of Britannia will showcase Ayten Gasson Lingerie alongside these truly British brands.
It seems to me that the independent designers who have been passionate about manufacturing in the UK are still working as hard as ever to draw attention to their ethics. The popularity of social media sites have made it easier for these brands to meet and support each other, and for journalists, bloggers and stylists to take note. One disappointing factor though is that the larger companies who were in the spotlight last year no longer seem to be trying to boost production in the UK. The factory used by Mary Portas for her Kinky Knicker collection is still in operation, but new collections by Portas, such as her range for House of Frasier, seems to be produced aboard. There is no mention on their website of where the pieces have been made while the Kinky Knickers web page is decorated in Made in Britain banners and tag lines. With so many great clothing manufacturers still operating in the UK, it is a shame they can’t be utilised.
Pictured: The classic collection silk underwired bra and skirted knicker (left) & the organic silk camisole and knicker set (right).
All made in the UK using Nottingham lace and UK made ribbon trims.
So a year on from my original Made in Britain article I am glad to say in general that it seems to have not been a passing fad like so many in the fashion world. And although some of the larger brands may have reverted to their old ways, i believe it will be the smaller, independent designers and boutiques who will keep alive the commitment to British made products.
This article was originally published on http://www.lingerie-stylist.com on the 31st March 2013.Introducing Our Sale Gift Sets March 20 2013
We have noticed a recent trend on our site where our lovely customers have been purchasing sale knickers and eyemasks and asking for them to be beautifully gift wrapped in our luxury gift boxes. To make things easier for you we have teamed together two of our popular sale knickers, the Sophia and the Harma, with matching eyemasks and created mini boxed sets.
This classic silk satin full knicker is not only a wonderful shape, but also has a cheeky plum lace panel back which creates a striking design feature, finished beautifully with a dusty pink bow. The knicker is teamed with a plum lace and silk eyemask and packed in our black and gold gift box to create a luxurious gift idea. Each item is made entirely in the UK using English lace and English ribbon trims.
This classic knicker in olive silk is trimmed with cream vintage Nottingham lace on either side of the leg and finished with a hand tied satin bow. The knicker is teamed with an olive silk and cream lace eyemask and packed in our black and gold gift box to create a luxurious gift idea. Each item is made entirely in the UK using English lace and English ribbon trims.
All our gift boxed sets can be found on the following page http://www.aytengasson.com/collections/boxed-gift-sets
Ayten Gasson launches bridal collaboration with fellow British design company Dowse February 28 2013
We are pleased to announce our recent collaboration with jewellery design company DOWSE is now on-line. We have create a unique three piece bridal collection that includes a ‘Horseshoe Bridal Knicker’, ‘Honeymoon Knicker’ and 'Horseshoe Bridal Garter', only available to buy at www.aytengasson.com.
Each item is available to buy individually or packaged in a stunning black and gold gift box and has been proudly made in Britain using UK suppliers where possible. Vintage Nottingham lace, satin bows and ethically made charms have been teamed together to create this beautiful range of thoughtful gifts for brides to be.
The white silk bridal knicker is trimmed with elegant Vintage Nottingham lace and is a subtle way to incorporate ‘something old’ into your wedding day. The knicker is finished with a delicate blue bow ‘something blue’ and an exquisite lucky horseshoe amulet created by DOWSE to add ‘something new’. The silk and vintage Nottingham Lace garter is the perfect piece to pass on to future brides on their special day for their ‘something borrowed’. We have also created a special honeymoon edition of the knicker in decadent black silk and vintage Nottingham Lace and lucky horseshoe charm to ensure luck and happiness after your wedding day.
Susannah Dowse gained a degree in Fine Art from the University of Brighton before indulging her childhood dream and becoming a fashion and print designer, working freelance in the industry for many varied clients.
Susannah was also head designer at the award-winning Remade label which she set up for recycled textile charity TRAID (Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development). DOWSE’s commitment to sustainable and ethical fashion made for a natural collaboration with us, and our commitment to sustainable fashion and manufacturing in the UK.
Dowse designs collections can be found at www.dowsedesign.co.uk.
Love Bomb 2013 Winners Announced February 14 2013
We are pleased to announce the winner of our Love Bomb slip and knicker set, and the 5 runner ups, who will each receive one of our silk padded eyemasks.
Winners have been chosen at random and the prizes will be sent out early next week.
Salma Begum has won our Ann silk slip and knicker set (via twitter)
The five runner up prizes will be sent out to:
Rebecca Morgan (via facebook)
Sophie Grayling (via facebook)
Haley Ausserer (via pinterest)
David Paterson (via facebook)
Mickie Bull (via twitter)
Congratulations, and a big thank you to everyone who got involved.
Ayten Gasson Love Bomb Give Away February 11 2013
Ayten Gasson are giving away the nightdress shown in the Love Bomb photo shoot and its matching knicker. To win you can do one of the following.
Twitter : Retweet our #LoveBomb2013 tweets or create your own using the #LoveBomb2013 hash tag.
Facebook: Like us on facebook or if you are already a fan on facebook you can post on our wall! You can write anything about the collections, why you like it, what you’d like us to include in our ranges, etc.
Pinterest: Repin our #LoveBomb2013 images
By doing all three you can increase your chances of winner! All names will be placed on our fancy spread sheet and a winner will be chosen at random on the 14th February.
Good Luck!
Model: Miss Miranda (http://www.miss-miranda.com)
Photographer: Anna Swiczeniuk (http://www.annakrohnistic.co.uk/)
Hats: Lily Lewis (http://www.lillylewis.co.uk/)
The Lingerie Love Bomb Event Is Here! February 04 2013
For the second year running 8 independent lingerie brands have joined forces to promote each other in a very British way. Hoping to encourage people to look beyond the expensive Valentine day marketing ploys of the giant corporate companies and look at independent and boutique brands instead. Exclusive discounts and prizes will be given away on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterets by each of the indie brands.
We will update you daily on which luxury lingerie brand will be featured in the Love Bomb and all the details you need to enter each competition. The line up includes:
4th February – Kiss Me
Deadly
5th February -Playful
Promises
6th February - Fraulein
Annie
7th February - Kriss
Soonik
8th February – Velda Lauder
11th February - Ayten
Gasson
12th February -Miss
Mandalay
13th February – Paolita
To launch the event the fantastic ladies at Kiss Me Deadly and Playful Promises have organized a breathtaking photo shoot showcasing all the brands involved. We will be posting these images throughout the next couple of weeks, but would like to thank the following for their hard work and incredible images:
Model: Miss Miranda (http://www.miss-miranda.com)
Photographer: Anna
Swiczeniuk (http://www.annakrohnistic.co.uk/)
Hats: Lily Lewis (http://www.lillylewis.co.uk/)
To kick start the Love Bomb event Kiss Me Deadly are giving away a £300 voucher to a very lucky person whose name will be drawn from a hat. For a chance of winner this generous prize you just need to blog, tweet, tumblr, facebook, pinterest or whatever social platform you like linking it to the product or blog entry you love. Winner will be picked on the 14th February. For a more detailed description of how to enter please check out Kiss Me Deadly's Facebook page.
How To Tea Stain Lace February 02 2013
Tea staining has been around for hundreds of years. It is the perfect way to give fabric, lace or even paper an antique or vintage feel. I was first introduced to tea staining as a small child when my brother and I drew out a treasure map. To give the map an aged look my mother made a cup of tea, removed the tea bag and wiped it gently over the paper. It worked! She also set the corners alight with a match to give it a vintage feel, though I wouldn't recommend you ever doing that with any fabric or lace! It was from that moment that my fascination with natural dyes began. Our latest Antique Tea Rose Collection, featuring a silk bias cut teddy, long line bralet, tap pant and knicker, all feature 100% cotton Nottingham lace which has been tea stained in our Brighton studio.
How to tea stain lace
Fill a large bowl with boiling hot water and add a couple of tea bags. To create darker shades just add more bags. For a lighter shade you should only use one. If you are planning on dying larger pieces of fabric or items such as pillowcases or table cloths you should use your bathtub and roughly around 20 tea bags. Allow the tea bags to brew for a couple of minutes before removing them. I would suggest you keep them to one side until you have achieved the desired shade. You can keep adding the teabags until you are happy with the colour. Once you have the correct shade and all tea bags have been removed you can add your lace or fabric and allow it to soak for 10 minutes. Then remove and gently wash in warm water. Allow the lace or fabric to dry naturally before ironing on a light setting.
Extra bit of advice: Never place your stained lace or fabric on a radiator or iron when wet as this will leave dark marks.
How To Wash Silk Lingerie January 31 2013
Each item in our collection is made in Britain with extra love and care. The silk and lace pieces have all been tried and tested in our studio and washed in a dozen different ways to see which will keep the silk luxurious and the delicate lace trims intact.
Everyday wear will affect the quality of your silk lingerie. Body heat, body lotions and perfumes will spoil the fabric, so extra care has to been given when washing each piece. It may be time consuming, but we highly recommend hand washing every silk and lace piece from our collections. The extra time spent caring for each piece will make them last so much longer. Use a mild soap or silk wash. Never use a washing machine detergent, as this will be too harsh. One option is to use a gentle non-bio baby detergent. Or you could splash out and purchase a silk detergent or lingerie wash such as La Blanc Linen Wash or Persil Silk and Wool Wash. Don’t twist your knickers to ring them out. Instead gently dry them inside a towel.
Never (ever!) tumble dry silk. It will ruin the fabric and destroy the cotton laces. The elastic trims also loosen when exposed to heat so a dryer will wreck all parts of your lingerie. Instead you could hang it over a clothes horse or on a hanger and let it dry naturally. If any of your silk lingerie needs ironing, such as the babydolls, slips or bed jackets, we recommend using the silk setting on your iron and using a clean tea towel or pillow case to protect the fabric.
Extra bit of advice: Never try to clean a mark on your silk with water. Water will stain the silk and leave a watermark. Oil stains can be removed by using a small amount of talcum powder. Leave for 5 minutes before brushing the talc off gently. Any make up stains or marks should be removed by using the steps outlined above.
Behind The Scenes Of Our AW13 Shoot. January 17 2013
On the 6th January 2013 a group of the usual suspects gathered to work on our latest collection's photo shoot. We decided to meet up in a very small yet stylish hotel room in London to prepare for what I feel is the best shoot to date. We also managed to confuse a few guests by ironing our knickers, bras and teddies in the communal ironing room. I'm sure they wondered what 7 girls and 1 guy were doing in one hotel room!
We were very excited to have stylist Frankie Murray not only style the shoot for us (for our fourth season) but also document the shoot on her blog. So for a behind the scenes look at what goes on at our shoots, and a sneak peek at our latest AW13 collection check out Frankie's blog here.
http://frankiemurraystyling.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/behind-scenes-ayten-gasson-aw13-lookbook.html
Lastly, a big thank you to everyone who was involved in the shoot. It was such a great day!
- Photography: Richard Bridge
- Lingerie: Ayten Gasson
- Styling: Frankie Murray
- Model: Rosanna Dimmick (First Model Management)
- Hair and Make up: Kelly Mendiola
- Manicurist: Stephanie Mendiola
- Video: Alex Oliver
Wishing You A Very Happy Christmas December 23 2012
Shhh.. It's Our Secret Sample Sale This Saturday November 21 2012
We will be holding our first ever Brighton based sample sale this saturday. Limited edition pieces, sale items as well as some styles from our Autumn Winter 2012 collection will be discounted and avalible at this secret location along the seafront. Guests will be welcomed at the door with drinks and nibbles, and an opportunity to view the collections alongside British jewerelly label DOWSEdesign and the Secret Store's stunning selection of hand picked vintage womenswear and accessories. The event, this Saturday 24th November, from 11am till 4pm, is invite only. Please RSVP secretstore@btinternet.com to add your name to the list and receive the address. Please note this event is cash only.
A Man's Guide To Buying Lingerie November 04 2012
So I married a lingerie designer! Where the 14 year old me would be disgusted at how blasé I’ve become about the fact that most of the rooms in my house are filled with silk bras and knickers, the very fact of me sharing the house with a designer has given me some vital knowhow when it comes to lingerie. And, more importantly, how not to look like an idiot when faced with that most daunting of tasks – buying underwear.
There are few things more intimidating for a man than entering a lingerie shop. So many styles, so many sizes, some stuff you won’t even recognise. Luckily, thanks to my accidental immersion into this mysterious world, I am now able to pass on my received wisdom.
Firstly – and most importantly – is size. Bra sizes have confused men for generations but fortunately a lot of the pieces, such as the Stephanie bralet at www.aytengasson.com come in small, medium or large. Surely everyone can take an educated guess with those options.
Next, how to know your teddies from your slips. Most men should be able to recognise a bra from a knicker (if not you probably need a more basic lesson in womankind than this). There’s so many styles that you could be forgiven for giving up now. But think of the gratitude of a wife or girlfriend who is pleasantly surprised to find out that their man seems to have taken an interest in stuff she likes for a change.
Knickers are straightforward and the different options such as ‘skirted’ can be worked out quite easily. Sizing is obvious here as well – small, medium or large. As with any area of study though it’s the technical language you need to pick up.
Slip – You should know what a slip is but they do come in either a short (Stephanie and Sarah) or a full length (Ann) – both classic examples of silk nightwear. These are bias cut - meaning the silk is cut on the diagonal so the slip sits on the body for a flattering fit. Your significant other can use slips as nightwear or just for lounging round the house in luxury.
Camisole – Can also be described as a babydoll. Basically a silk top that usually comes with matching knickers or shorts. You can’t really go wrong with this, especially if you tell her that she ‘always looks good in camisoles’. She’ll be so surprised that you even know what a camisole is that she’ll forget to ask how you came about this knowledge.
Teddy – Also known as a playsuit, it is basically a camisole and knicker in one. A loose fit teddy can be used for sleep and loungewear. A high leg teddy can also be worn as a camisole under clothing - you’ve probably seen these featured in your wife’s/girlfriend’s magazines as outerwear teamed with a skirt or trousers.
Bed Jacket – These make any woman feel stylish. Perfect with jeans or for relaxing on a chaise lounge (simply put, a posh chair!). One journalist I spoke to recently wondered if she could also adopt the lifestyle of someone who lounges round on chaise lounges after purchasing the set. My wife assured me she could!
For extra points you could go for the eco conscious range. Environmentally-minded partners will be impressed by your thoughtfulness in buying organic silk. And if all of this insider information is still impenetrable to your male mind – or if you’re just plain lazy– there’s boxed gift sets such as the Lover’s Gift Set which features a skirted knicker, eye mask, and silk cuffs. Less risqué gift boxes are also available!
There’s obviously a whole world of lingerie out there but at least you now have a little information to get you started. Believe me, it will be appreciated.
Dan Roberts (husband of lingerie designer)
What's the difference between Organic and 'Normal' silk? October 19 2012
We are often asked what the difference is between organic silk and the silk we use for our other collections. We also have a few puzzled looks when we introduced our Peace Silk collection, including our Vegan Nipple Pasties! So we thought we should enlighten you to why we feel it is important to use these ethical fabrics, and why we will plan to expand our eco lingerie collection.
What's the difference between Organic and 'normal' silk?
We are proud to work with the only company in the UK who specialises in organic silk fabrics. In a similar process to farming, organic silk production means that no pesticides, insecticides or harsh chemicals have been used in the production of the silk fibre and in producing the finished cloth. Organic silk is the softest and must beautiful silk we have ever seen and used for our pieces, inspiring us to create more of our ranges in this stunning ethical fabric.
We are currently researching organic plant dyes which will allow us to expand our Eco Lingerie range. Organic silk is currently only available in a natural cream, making it perfect for bridal but not for some of our key fashion pieces. Once we have the knowledge to ethically dye our silk we will be launching a full range of ethical lingerie, nightwear and accessories.
What is Peace Silk and Vegan Silk?
Peace silk and vegan silk are actually the same thing. To explain what makes the silk vegan we must first understand how conventional silk is produced.
Silk is produced when an adult silk worm begins to spin a fibroin protein which they produce themselves. The strain of silk is woven into a tightly enclosed cocoon. Each cocoon can be formed from up to 100 meters of silk. Next, the silk worm secretes a fluid which burns a hole thought the weave allowing it to emerge. Unfortunately this also damages and breaks the fibre. Instead, the farmer kills the silk worm by boiling it alive, saving the silk.
Peace silk is vegan because it allows the silkworm to emerge out of the cocoon naturally. Fibres from the damaged cocoon are then spun together forming a silk which has the same luxurious feel as Organic silk, with a raw appearance.
What's next for Ayten Gasson Lingerie ?
We feel it is important to try and be as ethical as possible in all aspects of the label. We will ALWAYS make all of our items in Great Britain and proudly mark our ranges 'Made In The UK'. When possible, all our elastics and ribbons are sourced in the UK while our laces are from British mills. Read our blog post on why we feel it is important to support UK manufacturing here.
While we will continue to use Organic and Peace Silk in our Eco Lingerie collections, we will be researching organic dyes and natural printing methods, which we hope to introduce over the next couple of seasons. So keep your eyes peeled!
View our Eco Lingerie Collection here.
Luna Collection By Ayten Gasson and Luna DeLovely October 03 2012
A Mark Of Positive Living September 29 2012
We are pleased to announce that PositiveLuxury have just awarded us with The Blue Butterfly trust mark for our positive impact on the planet! Thank you so much to everyone at www.positiveluxury.com.
Check us out on their weekly round up of brand who have been awarded The Mark Of Positive Living!
We've Returned To Brighton September 29 2012
British Lingerie Label Ayten Gasson Continues To Support UK Manufacturing September 29 2012
With the recent claim that Mary Portas is “turning the lights back on for great British manufacturing” with her Kinky Knickers collection, Roberts explains how UK lingerie designers have long been supporting the UK lingerie manufacturing industry and firmly believes that consumers do buy British.
Launched in 2005, Ayten Gasson Lingerie has become famed for a firm commitment to supporting the UK fashion industry. Whilst demonstrating a passion for luxurious design and the importance of quality construction, she is vigilant in supporting the few remaining underwear factories in the UK. Ayten is also well known for her use of Nottingham lace, and new English lace, highlighting the traditional skills which the UK was once celebrated for. In addition to this, Peace Silk and Organic Silk regularly feature within her collections as a testament to her ethical and sustainable approach to production. Every lingerie item from bed jackets to teddies are lovingly produced in small production units in London, Nottingham and Wales.
Not alone in her convictions, Ayten Gasson is proud of her peers within the lingerie industry. Other luxury lingerie brands such as Ell and Cee, Velda Lauder and Kiss Me Deadly endeavor to produce at least 50% if not all of their products within the UK, if not all. Whilst The Lingerie Collective boutique (where Ayten is stocked) and trade show really do shine a bright light on the wealth of support for UK industry.
Not only meeting the growing demand from ethically conscious consumers in Great Britain, Ayten Gasson Lingerie also supplies boutiques in America, Switzerland and Dubai. Proving that 'English heritage' is popular worldwide, sales are frequently made in America and Australia – sharing a little of our great British charm across the globe.
Is “Made in Britain” the new buzz phrase? September 29 2012
Anyone who has read a lingerie magazine, blog, or been on any of the numerous social networking sites recently would have seen the uproar at Mary Portas’ claim that she is “turning the lights back on Great British manufacturing”. With each new article on her range of Kinky Knickers we were all disappointed to hear her dismiss all the UK designers who have been proudly designing and manufacturing in the UK for years. But with each article also comes news that more and more labels are re-evaluating how and where their production is done. Sir Philip Green has promised to look into how the Arcadia Group can boost production in the UK, whilst River Island have introduced a UK made range which has become a best seller.
Growing up with a family full of designers and makers, I knew the importance of well made pieces, and the history and skill in British manufacturing. My mother had worked as a seamstress for Arcadia in the early 1990s and I remember my grandmother working in a north London factory producing clothing for at least 30 different designers each season. Upon graduating from Central Saint Martin’s in 2004, I was saddened to find the closure of many of the UK based manufactures and design houses. All design jobs had moved to Europe while the London factories I knew as a child had all closed as designers now searched for a cheaper alternative overseas
As an independent British designer I felt it was vital for me to support the industry around me. Each link in the chain was considered, from the lace and trim supplier, the factories I worked with and continue to work with, and the independent boutiques I sell to. I am often frustrated to hear the ‘tricks of the trade’ which are used to fool us into thinking something is made in the UK from the design board to the final item. For instance, did you know a fashion piece can be made in the Far East but have a button sewn on in Britain for it to be “hand finished in the UK”? Or that many “Designed in the UK” pieces are then sourced and made abroad?
Whilst it is important to address how important British manufacturing is for our economy, I am apprehensive to see what will happen when the spotlight has faded. Once Mary Portas’ latest knicker project is aired on Channel 4 later in the year what will become of her Manchester based factory? Will she introduce new styles to keep the focus on UK manufacturing? Will she acknowledge the brands that already do so much for the manufacturing industry? Will the larger high street chains go back to solely producing aboard; leaving the factories they have worked with to cope with their sudden loss?
There is a growing demand for locally made items, and the upcoming Olympics will hopefully generate an element of pride amongst designers, makers and consumers. “Made in Britain” should not just be the trend for this season and we should all make the effort to generate awareness of British made labels in the truest meaning of the phrase.
5 Pieces Of Lingerie Every Woman Should Own September 29 2012
We are pleased to announace we have our first guest post by Ally Teal from lingerie blog Guilty Pleasures.
Ally is a fashion lover and a lingerie passionate. She loves to travel and discover new lingerie brands from all over the world. She shares her personal insight on the amazing world of lingerie at Guilty-Pleasures.org, a blog about lingerie we all covet. Her work is meant to reflect her strong belief that lingerie is about expressing oneself and embracing our pleasures with total confidence in who we are.
Hope you enjoy her post! x
As time passes by, the world as we know it changes. Values change, desires arise, needs grow.
But there is one thing that remains the same: what I, as woman, represent.
Ever since the Victorian era, a woman’s beauty was highly praised. It’s the reason why the boudoir was invented, the most personal and intimate private bedroom where the woman is on her greatest heights, as intimately as possible.
Well, the Victorian era is now gone, but women continue to be adulated for what they represent: beauty, seduction, sensuality, the discovery of the deepest senses a man can bear.
In a boudoir, you can have any, and I mean anything you want. But there are 5 items that are by far essential.
First of all, when I hear the word “boudoir”, I see camisoles, the perfect representation of sensuality. Sensuality is fluid and has no boundaries. Camisoles are just the same. They are the contemporary negligee, loose-fit and sleeveless, made of silk, satin or other slippery fabrics. Maybe not the flirtiest undergarment a woman can bear, but definitely the most glamorous and delicate. Camisoles announce that the night is around the corner and we all know that the night is always young. You might just as well greet it properly, wouldn’t you say?
But delicacy is always joined by a more teasing outfit, such as bras. There is an infinity of bras, carefully designed by worldwide designers to match a woman’s needs for expressing her deepest wild sensuality. This undergarment focuses on the upper body and therefore, highlights it. Just like its historic counterpart, the corset, the bra has a certain erotic significance and is by far a symbol of femininity. It’s a good enough reason for women to have as many bras as possible in their secret boudoirs, one for each occasion.
Your boudoir will never be complete if you don’t have a wide range of knickers to match with each outfit. Luckily, designers know so well what a woman needs, and the outcome of their work is a reflection of their deep understanding. It’s all in vain if you don’t have the perfect knickers, with the perfect outline and just the perfect details. My personal favorite is the peek-a-boo. It’s a game that only players know how to play.
But you don’t want to reveal the mystery too quickly. For this reason, satin robes are a key undergarment for any woman. It’s like walking on the streets of a city that appears to be as quiet as a mouse, but you know there’s a wild noise hiding behind the still walls. This is what seduction is all about: making your man discover what lies underneath. Robes may just as well be the key to femininity.
The 5th element is of course the eyemask. Some people, women also, don’t see the importance of eye masks. For me, the eye mask is the ultimate pampering. Being able to say “Good night, world!” while your eyes are being caressed by satin and silk is a rare feast. There is no caprice bigger than this one, which makes the eye mask an item that cannot be dismissed from your boudoir.
The boudoir is the most intimate place where a woman can express herself as she is: an exponent of sensuality, playfulness and profound delicacy. This is one fact that history will never lose sight of.
This is a guest post signed by Ally Teal, a passionate lingerie lover. She writes about lingerie you covet at Guilty-Pleasures.org.