Tomima's Blog – Lingerie & Underwear Expert

(un)covering what's under everything

Olga Bras and Olga’s Christina Bras – What’s the Difference?

July 07, 2008

A new line called Olga’s Christina was launched by Warnaco in 2007. Warnaco is the same company that markets the Olga brand of lingerie, so the name similarity is intentional. So, what’s going on with announcing this new brand? I put this question to two of my friends over at Warnaco, Elizabeth Sullivan, Sales Coordinator for Warnaco, and Todd Mick, Warnaco’s Merchandise Manager.

The traditional Olga bra line needed a new direction. It has been a favorite of many women for many years, but the core customer has always been the full figure woman. So Olga made the decision to adjust their size range. Olga bras now focus on band sizes from 36 to 42, and cup sizes from C to DD. As Todd said, "No one makes full figure bras more beautifully than Olga." So, to that end, Olga’s focus is on full figure bras that are extremely pretty and beautifully embellished.

The Olga bra cups and their fit are also a main focus as well. For example, the Olga Smoothback with Supremesupport 35061 has a great cup capacity. The cups are molded with Simplex fabric, which doesn’t stretch so holds a woman’s breasts while giving great support. This bra also has a lower center and lace for a sexy look. Both Todd and Liz agree this is a beautiful looking bra. The customer that wore the now discontinued Olga style 319 will want this bra.

Okay, so I understand the new direction with Olga. But why introduce the Olga’s Christina bra line? Isn’t this just going to confuse the customer? According to Todd and Liz, the answer is no. The two lines are really a complement to one another. Both are addressing the full figure customer. But what Warnaco has found is that within this bra demographic, there are two very different customers. Olga styles satisfy a woman who wants pretty, detailed, and embellished bras. Olga’s Christina customers want traditional and sophisticated styling that are streamlined – less fancy. This customer tends to also be a little younger.

The Olga’s Christina line is made up of underwire bras and minimizers that have smooth cups and design lines to be worn under t-shirt and knits. For example, their Lace Underwire 55007 is luxurious and elegant, but the surface of the cups are smooth enough to wear under fitted tops. This lacy looking yet smooth bra has been such a success, a minimizer of the same concept, style 55019 is planned for introduction shortly. Another focus in the Olga’s Christina line is modesty. Liz points out that this customer does not want their headlights showing. So, spacer foam is being used in many of the cups. Spacer foam is only about 1/8" thick, but goes a long way in masking nipple show-through and giving the wearer a very smooth and pretty shape.

Todd summed it up best. "Olga’s Christina brings to life a fresh perspective on intimate apparel. We are redesigning the bras, not the bodies, to deliver beauty, function and fashion to that DDD cup woman."

You can learn more about full-figure sizing and fit at HerRoom’s fitting guide.

Find Olga and Christina lingerie at HerRoom in these departments:
Bras

Posted by Tomima at 10:04am
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Calvin Klein Underwear is 25 Years Old!

June 12, 2008

Can you believe it?  The iconic Calvin Klein men’s underwear turned 25 this year.  And in those years, it has climbed to one of the most recognized underwear brands in the world.  It’s manufactured and distributed by Warnaco, the same company that brings women Olga, Warner’s and Nancy Ganz, and everyone those bathing suits under the brand name Speedo.  

Last year’s sales were approximately $415 million with Asia and Europe equaling sales in the U.S..  The plan is to expand into International markets where growth has been in high double digits each year.

So, how does Calvin Klein underwear maintain it’s lead?  That question was put to Bob Mazzoli, Chief Creative Officer for Calvin Klein Underwear. Mazzoli, by-the-way, was there 25 years ago for it’s launch, before leaving to work at Sara Lee Corporation.  He returned to Calvin Klein in 2004. "Calvin Klein Underwear continues to succeed in growing the overall business through consistent introductions of innovative new programs."  His words speak to the recent launch of the new Collection called Steel.  This collection features light underwear in cotton and microfibers that have technical superiority and style.

Find CK underwear at HisRoom in these departments:
Boxers
Briefs
Boxer Briefs
Men’s Thongs
T-shirts

Posted by Tomima at 7:52am
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Shirley of Hollywood Celebrates 60 Years of Sexy Lingerie

June 10, 2008

Shirley of Hollywood intimate apparel is celebrating it’s 60th year in business this month.  As it’s name suggests, Hollywood starlets put Shirley of Hollywood on the map for symbolizing sexy quality lingerie that makes women feel fabulous and men wanting more. 

Shirley has always been meticulously crafted and found the finest fabrics and finishes such as trims and lace to craft their provocative garments. Owned by the Schlobohm family for three generations, Shirley of Hollywood has always been a family business.  From private label for Playboy to major retailers, Shirley can be found in more than 3,000 stores world-wide.

Not to leave anyone out, Shirley of Hollywood in 1987 created the Intimate Attitudes Collection.  This collection offers fabulous lingerie styles for the fuller figured woman with sizing starting at 1X and going up to 6X. Quite a ground breaking and risky endeavour that paid off. In 2003, they got into the mens underwear business with a line called Gyz (pronounced "guys").

Famous for their catalogs and visually provocative models,  Shirley launched the careers of several famous women: Brooke Burke, Victoria Silverstedt, Leanne Tweeden and Tyran Richard.  Several went on to become Playboy Playmates.

With 60 years under their garter belt, Shirley is producing a great commemorative collection that has Hollywood glamour as its inspiration.  The collection includes fabulous signature corsets.

The constant with Shirley of Hollywood are their chopper bras or shelf bras, a best seller year after year.  And, their crotchless panties are always a hit because they are beautifully made and hide their feature flawlessly.

Find Shirley of Hollywood Lingerie at HerRoom in:
Sexy Lingerie
Sexy Bras
Sexy Panties

Posted by Tomima at 7:53am
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