NYFW: AdoreMe's Romantic Takeover, Plus, Ashanti!

Are you ready for romance? AdoreMe's inclusive lingerie collection opened and got NY Fashion Week off to a sexy start. When this brand first came on my radar, I was impressed that it claimed to have over 60 sizes. As a technical designer, fitting intimate apparel is already tough, let along for an extensive range of sizes as they claimed to offer. 

I first tried their offerings in 2020 when I was a different size. I tried them again in recent seasons. I am not proportional, finding bras particularly hard to find. I must say, for their cute, themed collections, cut-outs, straps, etc. Their fit was spot-on! Their prices are reasonable, which is another tough thing to do for detailed lingerie. 

While many companies claim to be inclusive in their sizing, they don't show that in their marketing. This runway appeared to show models that flaunted their full range of sizing in all shapes with great attitude. 

The lineup was divided into three moods, with the design director narrating the runway in the style of "Bridgerton". The first was ready for Valentine's Day, the second had a more tropical palette, the final group had a bridal theme. 2023's bow trend was going strong as the top accesory for hair, bras and butts.

As a surprise, the fashion show closed with a surprise performance by superstar Ashanti. The glowing singer slayed the stage in a sexy leather outfit and jewel-studded microphone. The entire crowd joined in singing with her in the after-party. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Photos by Mariana Leung

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Exhibit: Lingerie Francaise

Do you love lacy underthings?  The French do.  They just debuted a pop-up exhibit in tribute to the history of their own lingerie at the Chelsea Market in New York City.  The Lingerie Francaise exhibit covers intimate apparel from the corset's heyday at the end of the 19th century through the movement towards more functional garments and using knit fabric in undergarments.

Bras became mainstream for women at the beginning of World War I.  In the 1920's, with straight bodied shifts and flappers in vogue, the girdle became a staple. In the 1930's, curvy, body conscious fashion was the style of the day and then supportive girdle belts and brads became indispensable.  Key brands in France included corsetiers Lisa Charmel, Simone Perele and Gaby, later Lejaby.

After World War II, the introduction of nylon revolutionized the industry with its durability, cost and ease of maintenance.  Fashions like the popularity of the mini-skirt and pants changed the way women dressed underneath once again.  You couldn't wear a girdle or garters with that, so stockings and brief style panties became de rigeur.   With the bra-burning feminist movement in the 1970's, lingerie manufacturers designed underwear that was light and comfortable enough to feel nude.  The 1980's brought lingerie to the exterior for fashion, so the styles had to be worthy.

The end of this exhibit is a showcase of the sponsoring lingerie brands most recent collections.  From those, I can interpret the trends of today are lots of embroidery and luxury.  So what pretty thinks are YOU wearing underneath?

The exhibits ends on August 6, 2013.  It is located at Chelsea Market at 75 Ninth Avenue in New  York City.

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FIT Fashion Show - Lingerie Design

The next generation of boudoir designers sent some hot stuff down the runway.  Last night's FIT fashion design graduate show had an extensive list of lingerie designers.  Mentored by Flora Nikrooz, designers Yamil Flores, Yie Sung Lee, Caroline Argirokastritis, Erin Brennen, Victoria Roth, Natasha Wilson  Nina Trimble, Judy C. Yang, Angenille Barredo, Jennifer Campagna and award winner Alina Kulik showed the most beautiful sexy, silky looks on their catwalk.  

If this collection is an indication of intimate apparel to come, then super contoured seaming, corset lacing, delicate straps and lace will be what heats up the bedroom for the next few years.  The models definitely evoked the glamour of old Hollywood with the modern attitude of today's power women. 

Good luck graduates! More of the FIT Fashion later...

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Wacoal's How to Fit Yourself for a Bra

Does your cup runneth over?  Do they ride up, shift, make you uncomfortable, or make you yearn for the braless days of your ancestors?

Wacoal hosted a bra-fitting event at the penthouse of the London Hotel to coach women into outfitting their tatas for maximum appeal.  Most women already wear the wrong sized bra because they are unaware of their own proportions.  Almost all women are not symmetrical from one breast to the other.

I always assumed as a fashion industry professional, I had my girls in the right sized bra.  Every measurement chart appeared to confirm this.  After a fitting with Wacoal's regional manager Dawn Kenney, I discovered I was wrong.  With one glance, she informed me that the band was too large and the cups too small.  Now, my cups never did run over, and the band didn't slide up (the obvious signs of the wrong size).  She measured several points and confirmed that while the numbers said one thing, her expertise directed her to have me try on another size.  

I was pleasantly surprised to find that a bra size that I never thought I would wear instantly felt more secure and tailored under my clothes.  Ms. Kenney confirmed that having the right bra lifts your chest into fitting the proportions of clothes and can take ten pounds off your overall look.  

Her advice for fitting the lopsided rack?  Find bras with good stretch along the center front edge of the cups.  The helps to support and fit different sized breasts.  Another tip?  Look for seamed cups and lining along the side of the cup for tailored shape.  

One of the most perplexing things about attending events like this is that I end up spending lots of money afterward.  Due to my fuller sized bra requirements, it is very difficult to find delicate pretty underthings to fit me well.  I was ecstatic (my wallet begged to differ) to find that they had a huge selection of gorgeous lingerie to fit me the way I needed to.  I ended up buying five new sets of bras the day after!

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