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!