Tomima’s Blog – Lingerie & Underwear Expert

During Los Angeles Fashion Week in March 2008, The Pussycat Dolls – inspired lingerie line was a surprise hit. Designed by the founder of the Pussycat Dolls band, Robin Antin, the collection received several thumbs up from major LA fashionistas.

 The group, known for their skimpy lingerie-like costumes and overtly sexy moves, is now putting its reputation on an equally sexy and skimpy line of lingerie. Sean "Puffy" Combs and Quincy Jones were just some of the celebrities at the fashion show.

 The collection first featured micro-mini skirts with corset, graffiti-covered bra and panty sets, leopard-printed pieces and many lace-up ensembles. Then a frilly, ribbon trimmed and ruffly collection emerged with very sheer sets and a sailor inspired theme. Antin summed up the show by saying "It’s feminine and it’s edgy, just like the Pussycat Dolls." The first collection is titled "Shhh" because Astin wanted a word to sum up "Our little secret."

Thanks to National Geographic, we all now have a sneak peak into the very secret world of bra design. This clip from National Geographic’s documentary "Secret History of the Bra" below shows the steps Manufacturer Maidenform goes through in designing a bra for market. What’s particularly fascinating is the process of taking fabric and molding with heat a bra cup shape into it. Basically, this is how a molded bra is formed.

I was delighted to see the care that was taken to careful measure the many aspects of the samples. And, it was encouraging to see that they also take the time to bring in several "fit" models. Not only do they fit to them, but actually ask them how the bra feels, and what they do and don’t like about it.

This video is a real treat for us lingerie junkies.

Maidenform video

Here’s a link to Maidenform products.

That’s right. Eco-friendly fabric made from wood is now available. French lingerie designer, Sophie Young is designing lingerie with Lenpur fabric under the label By Nature. Her collection, called g=9.8 (the scientific equation for earth’s acceleration due to gravity) claims not only to be eco-friendly, but ultra comfortable and soft as silk, with the feel of cashmere and the coolness of linen.

Lenpur is made from white pine trees. Tree trimmings are mixed with enzymes and turned into fibers for weaving. The claim is that these fibers regulate the wearer’s temperature so she is never too hot or too cold. Lenpur is biodegradable and anti-bacterial. It also washes and dries very quickly. Not only is g=9.8 a sexy brand, it is trying to be innovative as well with strong ethics. It has based its entire production in a small village near Angers, France to help strengthen the local economy. The dyes it uses are certified by Oekotex as non-toxic. The pine used is not part of a deforestation project.

Young’s line was introduced recently at a Paris ethical fashion show this spring and in Lyon Mode. There is one British company selling the underwear line, but interest has been brisk, and many others retailers have asked for linesheets.