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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Yandy's Sexy Halloween

Are you the type who chooses the sexy Halloween costume route each year? Is this the holiday that allows you to wear lingerie in public? Yandy.com is your one-stop shop. It has a bigger selection that I could have ever imagined of accessories, intimate apparel, costumes pasties, stockings...

Yandy is one of the largest lingerie e-commerce sites. They realized many of their designers were also making costumes as an extension of their collections. What's interesting about mass market costumes is that they follow trends in mainstream fashion regardless of the "characters" of the costume.

Sexy witch costumes are a mainstay, but recent seasons had costume makers adding peplums and high leg slits to the costumes. Lolitas and Goth doll looks are popular with lingerie inspired costumes, but ombre tights have become a part of the ensemble as a trickle-down effect from the runways. Mermaid hair and mermaid makeup looks was hot for the summer. It's not a stretch for it to be one of the hottest costumes in the fall.

For some reason, Little Red Riding hood remains one of the most popular costumes year after year. However soon to be iconic looks from pop icons like Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry make best sellers too.

As a sign of the times, one of the most recent trends in Halloween costumes come from social media. The site's biggest bestseller is the blue/black vs gold/white dress , inspired by the debate over a photo of an ugly dress that went viral. Sexy costumes have become politicized quite a bit in recent years. Are women who are part of the military or medical professions being objectified with lingerie versions of their jobs? I personally think this is a fashion version of what the adult film industry does when it parodies mainstream movies. No one actually confuses the wearer of these costumes as the real thing. No  one takes a woman less seriously as a result of these costumes do they?

For me, I went to town on the accessories. They have terrific masks for characters or just really pretty lace or metal ones. There are great headpieces that I might work into a night on the town Halloween or not. Of course, being obsessed with tights, I already picked up ombre, bear print and multi-textured lace tights thanks to a gift card.

As for the sexy Halloween costumes (aka novelty lingerie), it is just too cold in the Northeast for me to pull that off personally. Of course indoors, (Halloween is also Hubby's birthday) I have a coquettish look ready.

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#NYFW: Betsey Johnson Spring 2015 Pre-Nup!

Spring, summer, it’s the season of the bride.  Designer Betsey Johnson’s Spring 2015 collection reminds you to be a cautious bride though, naming the collection “Pre-Nup”.  The fashion show started with two dolled-up same-sexy couples in white.

What came next was a parade of alternative bridal dresses, but also lingerie, burlesque and sexy frocks that were more appropriate for the bachelorette party (and wedding night!).  The models carried bouquets of flowers of all types, even faux blooms made from fabric or just a paper cut-out.  There were lots and lots of tulle fabric in the form of veils and petticoats. 

The make-up was very dramatic.  The models sported big, smoky eyes and bright red lipstick that gave a much darker edge to the eccentric girly looks on the runway.  It was as if they wanted to remind everyone that yes, they were having fun tonight playing this caricature of femininity, but don’t forget there is a real woman behind the dress who needs to be taken seriously.  Perhaps that is a message that Betsey Johnson as a brand stands for.  One always associates Betsey with hot pink, a female-driven brand that projects a good time.  Fans turn to the label for party dresses and looks that are perfect for a wild night out, but never the office.

While Betsey is cheered during her signature cartwheel, critics have often been catty about her and her daughter’s business skills.  Because they are women, are they being judged by the image versus the actual accomplishments?  It is a global brand that has been around for several decades, been through major challenges and involves multiple family members. 

With so many somber faces on the runway, it is so much fun to shoot this fashion show.  Photographers’ line up for hours before this presentation and it is the most crowded show at Lincoln Center by a longshot.  The burly male shooters who care little about designers or fashion or don’t even have women in their life are fans of this collection.  Who can blame them?

Well into her 7^th decade on this planet, Betsey Johnson still performed her signature cartwheel and split, but accompanied by her grandchildren.  Her family joined her to take the bow.  Betsey Johnson’s exit was having the big drag queen bride carry her over the threshold (or backstage).   Bravo lady!

photos by Mariana Leung

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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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Alisha Trimble Fall 2013

"Computer Love" was the theme of Alisha Trimble's NY Fashion Week presentation.  Alisha is a woman after my own heart. She is a media influencer/writer/designer with a background in merchandising from top department stores, (another multi-tasker like me).

She showed her Fall 2013 collection at the Underline gallery in the Meatpacking District.  She displayed sexy lingerie with the purpose of innerwear as outerwear. Crocheted fishnet sweaters topped cute printed bras and bottoms. Some sets had shirred sheer fabrics over lined solids.  Other tops were embroidered with witty phrases or poetry.

 "Computer Love" refers to the modern mating rituals of the digital age.  Singles are courting through their screens from the comfort of their own home.  Alisha's lingerie and their accessories were designed for the woman who wants to look seductive and comfortable when flirting over the internet.
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I still remember the achingly slow AOL chat rooms of the 1990's.  Back then, you only had wit and text to work with.  I can't even imagine what dating today with this kind of fashion arsenal can do for you...

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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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