Swan Lake

This week I was lucky enough to attend the Australian Ballets production of Swan Lake. I adore the arts but had never actually seen a production of this world famous ballet. I had grown up on the music of Tchaivkosky. My parents would have it playing on vinyl in the lounge room, rather than having the television on. This was the life I was brought up in... So when I was given these tickets the other week, I was ecstatic. They were box seats at the State Theater, so gave us an amazing overview of the whole stage, which I think is perfect for this show. It was beyond beautiful to watch.


Now I'm sure you're wondering... what the heck has this got to do with lingerie?? Well to me the costumes were so reminiscent of lingerie. Beautiful corsets with layers of tulle. Lovely jeweled details scattered across each piece. I would have worn these in the bedroom for sure! It was all about colour, shape and flounce. It created a mood appropriate for the image the production wanted to portray. Whatever it took to capture the audiences attention without actually distracting from the dancers body and the art it created with movement.

Swan Lake reminded me of my childhood, when I had to wear leotards and tutus. Stockings, legwarmers and my hair in a bun. Once I put that outfit on, I was transformed. I  was no longer a young girl with homework to do. I was a ballerina... I'm sure that image is familiar to a lot of girls out there. And even though I was awkward and never a great dancer, when I put that outfit on and twirled around my bedroom, I felt like a different person. I felt confident and beautiful.

To me this is what lingerie dressing is sometimes about. Putting on a costume, not just your everyday wear. Creating another world for a short amount of time. It doesn't have to be about someone else seeing it, it's more about how it makes you feel. You could be a pin up girl. A temptress. A goddess. And if dancing around my bedroom alone in beautiful lingerie makes me feel more confident, then let it be my little trick. I walk out of the house every day with a cheeky smile and only I know why. (Well.. and you now... but shhhh...)

Ballet and dance in general has been used in lingerie photography for many many years. The world of ballet is seen to be feminine yet extremely strong. And I think is the perfect representaion that lingerie brands want to put across. Here for you is a collection of ballet inspired outfits and photography. Oh and if you get a chance, go see Swan Lake.

Do you dress up in lingerie just for fun and not for anyone else? What is your favourite "costume" piece?

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Agent Provocateur is coming to Australia!!!

 

The announcement has finally been made! Scream it loud, pass it around, Agent Provocateur is coming to Australia! I had to stop current work dead in it's tracks to write this post. It has been a long time coming and the announcement made yesterday is starting to create interest amongst the fashion set. The down side of this exciting news is where this famous label is going to be opening their first Australian store... within David Jones....

Agent Provocateur will be set up as a concession within the troubled department store, aiming to be opened by February 2013. They are starting with only two stores, in Sydney and Melbourne CBD David Jones only. It is a test I'm sure for bigger and better things. Australian's already love this label even though it has never been for sale in the country before. Previously only the perfume line was allowed to be sold due to rights to the label. But we Aussies are the 4th largest online market for AP worldwide. This to me I think is based more on hits than actual purchases, but still, the interest is already there.

People say they know the label and I'm sure will go in to the store once it opens, however I don't think everyone knows the full details about Agent Provocateur, including it's price point. So let me tell you the bare facts about AP.

#1 This label was started in 1994 by Serena Rees and former husband Joseph Corre (the son of Vivienne Westwood). It opened in the red light district of London and with the help of the high powered couples social circles they quickly built up a celebrity following. The store started out stocking high end designs from around the world which were a little more unique and kinky. After finding a market for that style in the UK and lack of available stock, they started their own line. The company was sold to 3i in 2007 and expansion/world wide lingerie domination started....

#2 The labels unique, fun, and naughty styling made it very popular to men and women alike. The main thing that made this label a success was their great marketing. It was constantly cheeky and made the product highly desirable. Who remembers the famous video featuring Kylie Minogue riding a mechanical bull in skimpy lingerie? Yes that was an AP ad and it went viral around the world. From great photography, celebrity endorsements and advertisements this label was what people wanted even if they couldn't afford it (or didn't even know the price) Marketing was everything..

#3 Now lets talk about the prices here... It is a high price point lingerie label. It sits between Pleasure State Couture and La Perla, with a completely different styling. Think more unusual, sexy, bedroom pieces. Bras range between $100 for something quite simple to $200 for the more interesting items. So for a set you will be looking at spending $200-800 depending on what pieces you get. Why wouldn't you add a matching suspender to a set when it's up for offer? The most expensive piece Agent Provocateur released was a $24,000 bodysuit. Yes you heard me. $24,000!!! And this is coming from a label that is now predominantly made in Romania...

Now you've got the facts... Here are some pretty pictures from AP from over the years!

 

I am very excited that Agent Provocateur is finally opening here and am curious to see how it will go in this rather sluggish retail market. Hopefully the advertising will not only boost sales for David Jones but also give us more beautiful imagery through their advertising, which I'm sure there will be  a lot of money spent on... I will be there on the day of opening for sure! Follow me on Twitter for up to the minute news.

www.twitter.com/mylingerieaddiction

Do you own anything from Agent Provocateur? What do you think of the label?

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Sass & Bide Lingerie at Myer

The start of Spring saw Sass and Bide release their first lingerie range exclusive to Myer. I quite like the label when it comes to their fashion and always loved how they made bodysuits, triangle bras etc that worked under their clothing for added pizazz. It was great to see a label considering what lingerie could be worn underneath some of their daring designs.

I was curious to see what sort of range they were going to produce for Myer. Was it going to be sequins and ruffles designed to be worn under their garments? Would they be using the same original prints that their iconic clothing label uses? Would it be a comfortable fit bra or strictly a show off piece?

I popped into Myer upon release and was a little disappointed by the whole affair. Yes they had used an easy to wear colour pallet and mixed it up with current season citrus hues, but the style looked a little boring for my liking. Moulded cup bras with faux strap work detail, single colour lace bras with skin colour underlay, two tone fabric triangle bras. Nothing that cried out to me to be purchased...

I thought for the sake of the blog I would try some of the garments on to see what the overall fit was like. The sizing looked to be pretty good but you never know till you put it on. I asked one of the Myer staff members for a bit of help with the range. I like to ask questions when it comes to new labels. I was told she didn't work for Sass & Bide so I would have to ask someone else and she walked off. I went in search of that elusive someone else to help me out. I interrupted an obviously "very important" conversation two staff members were having and again got blank stares and was told they didn't work for Sass and Bide so couldn't help me either. "Go to the other counter..." I headed to the other side of the department and low and behold.... there was no one there.... I gave up. What was the point of trying these garments on when #1 I didn't like them. #2 no one could help me? I walked out very disappointed with the experience and Tweeted out my anger.

This to me is typical Myer service and because it's where a lot of lingerie is purchased by women, I can understand their hatred towards trying on and finding the right garment. If you don't get help it can be an absolutely horrid experience.

I decided to give it another go a couple days later. I persisted in my pursuit to find out what the fit was like so I could review the products a little better. I tracked down a few sizes and styles to try on and headed off to a fitting room. Even once in there I couldn't get any assistance and was just told to "take any change room." They were the only words muttered to me for the hour I was at Myer...

I tried on 'Spots' 'Star Mesh' and '2 Tone' series. The cut and fit was actually quiet good, making a basic looking garment a lot more appealing when on the body. The construction of the bras were slightly different to other labels on the market giving it a point of difference. The sizes range from 8 (selected styles only) to 14, B-D fittings with their underwire bras. The Triangle bras and bottoms are just S, M, L so it limits who will be purchasing them. The range looks to be targeted to the 20 something fashion set. A smaller frame woman wanting to wear smooth lines, semi show off pieces. It is nothing spectacular but starts a good base of lingerie for someone not into anything that is too detailed or girlie.

For those who haven't yet seen the range, here are a few of the photos they have released for the labels launch. I didn't purchase anything for myself but it wasn't really my style, not that the product was bad. Judge for yourself. Just don't expect Myer to help you out at all... If they had given me service or just talked to me about the products a little, I may have actually purchased something...

Check out the complete range here

www.myer.com.au/Sass&Bide

What do you think of the Sass and Bide lingerie line? And what do you think of Myer and their lingerie department?

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Spring has Sprung!

I can't believe it is finally Spring! The weather starts to clear up, the sun shines and daylight lasts a little longer. The layers come off and winter jackets are ready to be dry cleaned and put into storage for another year... Thank the lord! I die a little in cold weather and my hibernation goes to extreme levels. I switch to drinking red wine and I wear way too much black... though I do try to wear bright colour lingerie underneath at least!

Lucky for me I got away the week Spring started and enjoyed the fruits of Melbourne's extreme weather changes. I headed to Lorne with friends and tried to switch off for a week... Hard to do when there is work to be done, but I did it. Hence I haven't blogged lately. The week was about me, my amazing friends, wine, cheese and of course lingerie.

Hand made Triangle Bra in embroidered tulle

Stella Mccartney

When it comes to warmer weather, you see people wearing more colour or lighter colour outfits and you need the lingerie to match. Skin colour basic wear comes out more and lingerie can get quite boring for a lot of people. Smooth line t-shirt bras are worn daily cause you are actually wearing t-shirts again. Well for me it's different. It's lingerie first, outfit second. I DON'T own basic lingerie. And if I am to wear a tight fit white t-shirt then I have my version of basics that I can wear under it.

I purchased the below set from the Bendon Outlet. I had been eyeing off this series online for awhile but didn't want to pay the full price when I knew I could soon get it for a bargain. It depends how long you are willing to wait and risk missing out. RRP for this set was $200 I ended up succumbing to the outlets half price sale. I normally only purchase items there when they are around $20 a piece. But since I considered this something I would wear a lot during Spring as a basic bra, I parted with my $100 for the set. I was happy with that.

Elle Macpherson Obsidian 'Maria'

The 'Maria' set has a unique vintage feel to the series. It is made from a stretch silk and features a high waist bottom with a decorative button up back. The buttons are very small and flat as to make it still comfortable to sit in! The bra cup is embellished with a hand cut lace and is smooth enough to wear like a t-shirt bra. The colour is slightly softer than the pictures make it out to be and is called blush pink so works wonderfully as a skin tone. This to me, is what I call a pretty basic and the only type I would ever wear.

Essence Magazine

I apologise for disappearing for so long and I promise I will catch up on your emails if I haven't responded to you already.

Do you change what sort of lingerie you wear when seasons change? What do you have as a pretty basic wear set?

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