Lingerie & Children

New brand Jours Apres Lunes has had many people rattled over recent days that I felt compelled to see what the kerfuffle was about. Essentially they are a branded specialist in lounge wear and lingerie for children. Other than the obvious issues which are certainly not new of the sexualization of children through the fashion industry (see Thylane Blondeau shoot for Vogue) I personally have great issue with the word 'lingerie' ever being used in conjunction with children.

It also appears to break the mold in being a specialist. Most brands producing children's clothes in this country don't just stock underwear alone they carry all manner of items and it is here that I fear is the biggest issue.

On visiting the website the mixture of skimpy bra sets adorning young girls with pageantry style make up is difficult to understand or feel comfortable with. Children finding their mothers make up and painting their faces with lipstick is well known and something most of us did. However these images of girls with make up and coiffure locks seems to seek to enhance and allure rather than it being for childlike amusement.

Looking at the product alone it is clear that the garments are pretty enough; with cute frills, stripes and bows that it doesn't require any added adult themes to be smeared over the top. My only frank objection is triangle bras marketed for 4 year olds as simply wrong on every level and in no way can be justified.

Are not all children perfect enough au naturale? Why we see fit to have them carry the connotations of adulthood at such a tender age is shameful. 

 

Ultimately for the brand I can only see it contradicting the essence of the pretty garments they are trying to sell by besmirching the beauty and innocence of youth.

Busy, busy bee's

We're rather proud of our lingerie boxes!

Better make some lovely lingerie to fill these babies!

Bring on the Girls

Lil St.Cyr

There is a sense of unbridled excitement when a lingerie designer can create Burlesque inspired collections adorned with feathers and embellished with Swarovski's finest crystals.  So as Source is preparing for its bi-annual trip to Paris and the trade fair Interfiliere this weekend we have high hopes that drama and glamour will be at the top of this bill. 

Recent reports have shown that Gossard has seen sales increase by 65% which by accounts has been thanks to the enthusiasm of women taking up Burlesque inspired classes.  Gossard managing director Tony Jarvis has also been reported saying "Suspenders have always sold well, but the recent demand from women of all ages has been phenomenal."  This must be music to the ears of the hosiery industry in particular Jonathan Aston who has supplied many of the tights featured in the new Burlesque film.


Gossard Ooh la la Deep Suspender

This aside, the desire for dressing up and feeling glamorous is not a new revelation to a women's wardrobe and although some of us are not brave enough to don Ms. Baker banana inspired skirt there is still a little diva spirit in all of us. 

Josephine Baker 



It feels like the recession and our poor economy has forced a diet on our lingerie passions:  you know you can't have it but the more you can't have it the more you want it!  Such a strong desire to celebrate femininity is possibly the best way to renounce recession and fly the silky flag of all things lacy, corseted and sparkly.  Having spent long enough driving a budget through our knicker draw its time to finally embrace lingerie for its luxury sake once again.


Dita Von Teese wears Velda Lauder

 If we choose to take up classes or make a debut performance in the privacy of our bedroom, lingerie by nature is intimate and adorning our bottoms with delicate Damaris knickers or cinching our waists with vintage inspired corselets allows women to be empowered and importantly feel good.


Maybe this is our 'New Look' moment where women can embrace femininity in all its fabulous and elaborate lingerie guises and designers can submerge themselves in a sea of sequins!