It's been a while since I last posted and quite a bit has happened in lingerie.

Bassoni have lot's of new styles out on the market and again they have outdone themselves in supplying the small cup market with unbeatable value items, even better priced than BrasnThings. A bra and brief set costs no more than $35 and many of their nightwear pieces cost the same. What's more, their fit is good as well, even better than Elle Macpherson and Bendon which cost twice as much. As with the latter two brands,I have yet to come across a fitter who likes their fit and most only stock them because of theirappeal to the younger market. Bassoni also targets its products at the younger market so have a look for the label next time you're in a lingerie boutique. Also look for their more upmarket sister label, Little Minx. Again, you'll find quality pieces at very reasonable prices. Bassoni and Little Minx are not sold in the department stores as they do not want to compromise their brand through constant pricing wars.

http://www.littleminxlingerie.com.au/

http://www.bassonilingerie.com/

Love and Lustre, long known for their basics and sleepwear, have finally launched their first bra collection. Thre is a balconette half cup bra, a T-shirt bra and a mouded unpadded bra, all beautifully designed and made with a fresh youthful appeal. Unfortunatel, the maximum cup size is a DD but hopefully they will extend on this in later collections. Next season will also include a beautiful little lace bra reminiscent of Elle Macpherson style but again, the attention to fit is impeccable. Here is their Facebook page link but unfortunately there are not many piccies to view:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-Lustre/137932592937106

Pickles & Loop have launched their summer collection and again have managed to keep their prices to 2010 levels without compromising on quality. Beautiful cotton lawn and voiles and their basics range in cotton knit. For an Australian brand, there is nothing over $100 and a single piece can start as low as $25. Check out their range at:

http://www.picklesandloop.com/

In the luxury lingerie market, Ku Shu Shu are getting ready for their new collection so watch this space!

Also, have a look at what Sally Jones Lingerie has to offer:

http://www.sallyjones.com.au/

Time is running out but we will be back for another instalment, hopefully in the next few days!

Giving Birth - What to Wear in Hospital

Now I am going to detract from my original purpose for this blog and write about what nightwear to take with you to hospital when you are giving birth. Having birthed two children, and experienced life in a maternity ward - ok I was only there for two days - I think I can claim some knowledge on this topic or at least pretend to.

What prompted me to start this topic was a comment I overheard today about why would you need to wear nice nightwear to hospital. The person who was making this comment was looking at some HOTmilk nursing nightwear and clearly thinking it was not necessary. I have no problem with that as my thinking is, well each to his own. However, reflecting on a hospital social scene, with staff coming and going through the wards, a stream of visitors which can be either family or friends as well as visitors for other mums in the ward, and sometimes the urge to get away from the ward and go outside for a walk or just to the coffee shop, I know what I would prefer not to be seen in. After all, a hospital is a public place and, like any other public place, a self-imposed dress standard would not go astray. While it may seem shallow, overall presentation does reflect pride in oneself. Would we turn up to a formal dinner dressed in t-shirt and trackies?

Sally Jones Lingerie

Sally Jones Lingerie is one of my favourite Australian lingerie labels. Sally's vision and knack with beautiful fabrics and laces ensures her place at the top end of luxury lingerie design in Australia and beyond. Her range includes bras, a variety of brief styles, camisoles, teddies, torsolettes, suspenders, bedjackets, babydoll nighties, chemises, longer length nighties, wraps and so much more. She also designs a range of accessories including lace gloves, eye masks, neck frills, garters, stockings, lace socks, and fans. But why categorise it all as lingerie when some of the pieces are versatile enough to be worn as outerware? Team the camisoles and bedjackets with jeans or evening pants for an after five outfit and, for the really daring, wear the longer nighties as a cocktail dress. Sally's designs are a must for the true connoisseurs of fine lingerie. Best of all, the pieces are manufactured right here in Australia so the prices are much more affordable than imported European lingerie. Whenever an occasion calls for beautiful lingerie, think Sally Jones. Your only dilemma is what to buy as you will be so spoilt for choice.

Below are some images from Sally's 2011 collection and also the press release:

HoneyMoon

Danielle

Romance

Natalia

Parisienne

Sienne

Mademoiselle

Tiffany

Willow

Tiffany

Sally Jones Logo

Press release 2011:

Since launching the label in 2004, Sally Jones has firmly established herself as one of the world’s top luxury lingerie designers, and is now stocked in prestigious boutiques and department stores in over 20 countries including France, Italy, Germany, England, Japan, USA and Australia.

Portraying her signature style in stunning combinations of French laces, embroideries, silks and tulles, Sally Jones’ 2011 collection features 12 stories, each reflecting a different romantic mood though unique colour and material pairings, including Giselle, Tiffany, Mademoiselle, Charlotte, Angel, Honeymoon, Parisienne, Natalia, Sienna, Daniella, Romance and Willow.

Sally is also renowned for her detailed accessories including garters, lace gloves, pearl necklaces and feather cuffs which compliment each collection.

Welsh-born designer Sally Jones said her label stems from a passion for luxurious lingerie, and a belief that one should never compromise luxury when it comes to wearing intimate apparel.

The philosophy behind the Sally Jones label is that lingerie is made to be beautiful and to make the wearer feel beautiful – Wearing luxurious underwear in the finest silks and laces makes a woman feel elegant and sensual and this translates to her outer confidence.

Sourcing the best European fabrics and using delicate hand finished pearl and jewel embellishments her vision for each collection comes to life, ultimately creating soft and feminine designs which translate from intimate bedroom apparel to indulgent sleepwear.

100% designed and hand made in Australia, the fine quality of the Sally Jones label is unparalleled across the world.

Web: http://www.sallyjones.com.au/

Facebook: Sally Jones Lingerie

Twitter: @sallyjones_au

For stockist information, visit the Sally Jones website or ring 61 7 55 767 317.

Love and Lustre

Love and Lustre, an Australian boutique lingerie brand famous for their underwear solutions including camisoles, knickers and slips, as well as for their gorgeous sleepwear, will be launching their first ever bra and matching knicker collection in Spring/Summer 2011. Extending up to a Size 16E, there will be a plunge bra, a contoured balconette bra and a non-contoured moulded cup bra. All are gorgeously styled with distinctive lace features yet retain Love and Lustre's signature style of being everyday functional items. Love and Lustre have spared no expense in ensuring the fit of this range including sourcing highly experienced bra patternmakers from Europe. So congratulations to Love and Lustre for their foresight in seeing the need for a quality Australian lingerie that fits the budget of most Australians. Who knows, if their bras become a hit, maybe they could even expand their sizing to take on the full cup market and challenge the UK brands to reduce their wholesale pricing in Australia. Love and Lustre bras are very reasonably priced between $59.95 & $79.95 retail. Products will be available from August 2011. For information on their stockists, contact Love and Lustre on 03 9429 0979 or visit their website at http://www.loveandlustre.com.au/

Bamboo products

Bamboo fabric has got to be one of the best natural fibre fabrics. It's quick drying and anti-bacterial properties elevates it above cotton in comfort and hygiene. It's also much softer and the wrinkles smotth themselves out much more easily. Most bamboo fabrics are available in knit form which tends to make it a little heavier than cotton but this is not noticeable during wear.

The quick drying and anti-bacterial properties makes it the ideal fabric for women suffering from hot flushes and night sweats. If this is the problem you are facing at the moment, try the bamboo nighties from Sleep Secrets (http://www.sleep-secrets.com.au/) or the bamboo pyjama set from Lilaque (http://www.lilaque.com/). Both brands are also available from Matilda Jane Lingerie & Sleepwear (http://www.matildajane.com.au/) based at Randwick in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs.

In addition, Womama, a New Zealand based maternity lingerie company, has brought out the first bamboo maternity bra. At present, the Womama bamboo bra is only available in black and, because of the softness of the fabric, only goes up to an E cup. This bamboo maternity bra is so comfortable that it's no wonder it's become a hit with Womama fans.

Ku Shu Shu Lingerie

Ku Shu Shu Spring Rose Camisole

Ku Shu Shu Silk Tales Camisole & French Knicker



Ku Shu Shu Ballerina Pleat Corset & Knicker

 Ku Shu Shu is a Sydney based boutique lingerie brand started by lingerie designer and patternmaker Judy Anderson. Judy began her career with Berlei over 20 years ago, and has since worked in England and the US before returning to Australia a few years ago. However, she has always had a yearning to start her own label and in 2009, Ku Shu Shu was born. Drawing on her passion for vintage clothing and vintage styles, as well as her obsession with the perfect fit and quality garment finishes, Judy has created a portfolio of beautifully designed plunge bras, matching knickers, a corset style strapless top with a built in bra, chemises, camisoles, french knickers and luxurious sleepwear. Her choice of fabrics includes stretch silks, tulles and velvet trims. Judy's love of nature also sees her producing limited edition silk camisoles, with her own floral artwork printed on the front, celebrating the arrival of each of the four seasons.

Judy's attention to detail is clearly evident in her lingerie pieces. While many silk garment manufacturers look for ways to cut costs in construction, Judy's silk chemises, camisoles and sleepwear have seams that have a single row of stitching as well as being sealed with another row of overlocking. Topstitching is used wherever possible and neck edgings are finished with self fabric binding, not simply folded over and stitched into place.

Some of Judy's designs are versatile enough to be worn as outerwear, not simply as lingerie. The silk camisoles and corsets can all be worn as tops and matched with jeans or skirts.

Ku Shu Shu is a truly beautiful Australian boutique lingerie brand - all timeless classic lines and finishes that are reminiscent of the quality of yesteryear lingerie garments. And because all the pieces are made in exclusive quantities, they are gauranteed to become future collectible vintage items, especially the placement print camisoles with Judy's own artwork.

Follow Ku Shu Shu on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kushushu
Read more about Ku Shu Shu at: http://kushushu.com/

Ku Shu Shu lingerie is available from the following lingerie boutiques:

DESIRE LINGERIE
Shop 13, No. 2 Collins Lane
Kiama NSW 2533
Tel: 02 4232 2770

MATILDA JANE LINGERIE & SLEEPWEAR
Shop 5, 155 Avoca St
Randwick NSW 2031
Tel: 02 9398 9431
http://www.matildajane.com.au/

WHITE IVY
Shop 2, 365 New South Head Rd
Double Bay NSW 2028
Tel: 02 9326 1830
http://www.whiteivy.com.au/

LYREBIRD LINENS
Shop 3, Olinda Terrace
47-53 Olinda Monbulk Rd
Olinda VIC 3788
Tel: 03 9751 2770
http://www.lyrebirdlinens.com/

Welcome to my blog

Hello,

I set up this blog which I intend to dedicate to the Australian Lingerie industry. From my google research, it seems to me that there is plenty of infosites and blogs dedicated to the European and US lingerie industry but none to the Australian lingerie industry. If there is any mention of the latest happenings in the Australian lingerie market, it is usually buried amongst other discussions on the broader fashion industry. Yet our fantastically creative and clever Aussie lingerie designers are there, quietly working at their niche market, but not getting as much exposure or recognition as they probably deserve. So this is where this blog intends to fill some of the gap.

From time to time, I may also comment on upcoming news from overseas brands that are popular in Australia.

I will also be reviewing various bras and posting my findings on this blog. However, while bra reviews may be helpful, they should never be taken as a true indicator of the bra's performance. Bust shapes vary so much that what may work for some ladies, may not work for others. The only true indicator is to try the bra yourself.

If you have any questions about lingerie, ask away and I will try and find the most appropriate response for you.

Now, you may be asking yourselves, why lingerie and not outerwear fashion? Put simply, lingerie is timeless, decadent and has a wicked sinfulness all it's own. As with all fashion, there are trends in lingerie design and popularity but no lingerie piece ever really goes out of style. At times its use may decline, as other products take over, but it will resurge or re-invent itself at a later date. Corsets are the perfect example. Whereas once they were essential ladies underwear, nowadays they are more popular as an outerwear garment to be worn with pants or skirts. In addition, your choice of undergarments is a personal statement of how you see yourself. It's also a bit of yourself that you keep hidden and only reveal to a select few.