Here’s what happened.   Beyonce’s video for ‘Video Phone’ has her wearing a unique black and white costume.  Meanwhile, German lingerie manufacturer, Triumph hosted a lingerie design contest similar to American Idol.  A Bulgarian lingerie designer named Iskren Lozanov was a finalist with his Picasso-inspired black and white lingerie that looks shockingly similar to Beyonce’s costume in the video.  The competition rules required that the designer give Triumph the intellectual property rights to his designs.  The contest aired the design before the video was launched.

Triumph, upon seeing the video filed a lawsuit against Sony, Beyonce’s record label, in Munich Germany.  Both sides argued their inspiration was Picasso. And the result?  Judge Peter Guntz recognized the bra designs owned by Triumph as ‘highly original’ and therefore deserved ‘a very broad scope of protection.’ He then ordered that the ‘Video Phone’ video be removed from German television and banned from viewing in Germany.

Prior to the ruling, Triumph extended an olive branch: If Beyonce would agree to be a judge in their next lingerie competition, they would drop the suit.  Beyonce and her team rejected the offer.  Triumph attorneys responded by saying this was a sign of Beyonce’s arrogance.

So, now going from bad to worse, attorneys for Beyonce and Sony are filing papers to appeal the ruling.

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We saw exposed bra straps several years ago on Sex and the City.  We saw bra tops under blazers in the 80’s.  Now, the spring 2010 catwalks were cluttered with underwear worn as outerwear.  Specifically, blouses and tops unbuttoned to the navel and exposing the model’s bra.

I’m in the business, so you probably think I would be a fan of this.  Well, you would be wrong.  Yes, I offer beautiful sexy and lacy bras that seem almost a shame to cover up.  But, from what I’ve seen so far, this ‘visible bra’ look is not being executed properly.  Yes, if you have a sheer blouse, and wear a pretty bra underneath, that looks great.  Yes, if your bra has a great center detail that peeks out above your top, that too looks great. But, what I’m seeing looks simply like the starlets forgot to button their last button.  And in Zoe Saldana’s case, forgot to button ANY buttons. Here are some examples:

I think to make this trend work, the bra needs to coordinate with the rest of the outfit and have a special feature.  For example, Wacoal’s 859176 would be a terrific choice worn under a black top or dress where the neckline might be a little too low.  That touch of lace would be a great accent.  It’s discontinued now, but I’ve actually worn the OnGossamer 013401 in black to fill in a neckline that was cut too wide.  No other bra stayed concealed, so I decided if I had to show something, let it be pretty.

These Hollywood stylists need to work a little harder on this one.  If it’s a trend for this spring, it shouldn’t look like a mistake.

Other celebs have made unfortunate underwear decisions, like Renee Zelwellger at the Golden Globes.

Find bras,peek-a-boo and otherwise at HerRoom in these departments:
Bras

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I know I haven’t put a thong on in a long time.  A couple of years ago, I wore them more.  But, frankly, I like to wear skirts and dresses more than pants.  Wearing a thong with these always left me feeling a little… shall we say "breezy" on my backside.  So, my panty shape of choice is a low-rise bikini.

I was reading an interview with supermodel Gisele Bundchen in Elle Magazine.  Now, if anyone would be wearing thongs regularly, I  thought it would be supermodels.  Guess what?  I’m wrong.  Here’s what Bundchen said:

"I’m a huge fan of big cotton underpants; they’re comfortable… I wear them every day."  Now, it was also noted that her words are in Brazilianspeak – "big" in Brazil is equivalent to a bikini-cut panty and not a granny panty.  But still, it was great to read this.

Another supermodel, Tyra Banks, was once quoted as saying that the smaller the bottom of a bathing suit, the thinner you look.  And, I agree.  Not only do bikinis not poke out above your pants, but they are comfortable while providing enough coverage so that you wouldn’t be embarrassed should a gust of wind raise your skirt.

Finally, on this same subject,  an article came out in the New York Times about the panties that erase panty lines.  Five panties were featured – not one was a thong.  The winner was the OnGossamer Cabana Cotton Hip-bikini.  The article stated that this bikini was "totally comfortable" and "Literally, there were zero lines…" 

If a bikini can provide zero panty lines, what woman wouldn’t prefer a panty over a thong?  Does anyone disagree?

Sometimes, the way a panty looks depends on the way we wear them. I wrote about wearing panties too high a while back.

Find thongs, bikinis and more at HerRoom in these departments:
Panties

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Late last year, the Emporio Armani underwear was introduced with provocative images of David Beckham lounging in nothing more than his knickers.  It was a sensation.  So, they next  brought in Victoria Beckham, and together they represented the Emporio Armani line of underwear and lingerie.  Well, not any more.

 Megan Fox, that 23 year old who has become every teen boy’s dream girl, is the new face of Emporio Armani lingerie.  Apparently, Victoria Beckham decided to go off and have a line of lingerie designed with her name on it.  So Marilyn Monroe-tattooed Fox is stepping in to fill her… well, boobs.

As for David Beckham, there is no scoop out as to why he is gone, but my guess is that it’s tied to his wife leaving.  Regardless, we have new eye-candy in Portugal’s hunky soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo. Not only famous in soccer, this guy’s known for strutting around in rump-enhancing fluoro hotpants while on holiday in Los Angeles.  But with his buff body, he can pull it off.

So, congratulations to Armani.  He has snagged two fabulous, sexy and over-the-top good-looking people to represent his underwear lines.

Seems every time Armani introduces a new campaign, there’s been quite a buzz. See other articles about the Armani campaigns and David and Victoria Beckham’s ads for Armani.

Find Emporio Armani lingerie at HerRoom in these departments:
Bras
Panties

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For me, this was an exciting and fascinating discovery.  A bra from the 1950’s sold at auction last week for more than $5,000.  It was made for Marilyn Monroe and could have been worn under her famous white dress known for flying up over a New York City subway vent in the movie "Seven Year Itch."
 
There are so many intruiging aspects to this bra.  Marilyn was a size 36D, but this bra was designed to give her an even larger bustline.  Let’s start with the double straps.  This was a very clever design because it pulled the breasts up from both sides – like a cradle or hammock – to maximize projection and volume.  Back then, the conical shape breast positioned straight out in front was the preferred look. This bra would definitely achieve that look.
 
There are said to be two cups inside this bra.  The inside cup is an underwire half-cup or shelf bra style.  It would be similar to today’s support panels that help support the breasts from below and position them up higher to show off a woman’s waist.  Then, another cup on the outside was fashioned.  It actually projected one inch from the undercup.  This gave Marilyn the illusion of more breast tissue.  Today we use bump pads to achieve this same affect.  This outer cup has vertical ribbon seaming for additional support as well. It looks a lot like our very popular Shirley of Hollywood chopper bra.  

This bra for Monroe was a combination of cream and nude tones to look invisible under clothing.  So, when you think about it, this bra was way ahead of its time and incorporated technology and themes common in today’s bras – support, volume and invisible coloring.  Truly a fascinating find.  I only wish I had known about it in time to bid on it.

Find Shirley of Hollywood and all bras at HerRoom in these departments:
Bras

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Our U.S. gal, Lady Gaga, has apparently been setting quite a fashion trend in London.  After she was seen clubbing in what looks like underpants (or shall we call them knickers), a large department store on High Street is claiming a run on so-called ‘Bridget Jones’ knickers. So much so that these ‘granny panties’ have overtaken their thong business and have increased panty sales by 25%.

A lingerie store in Birmingham, England was quoted as saying, "We thought it was strange that we were seeing girls as young as 16 buying our black low-leg control pants with no obvious bumps to hide.  It was only when sales staff reported back their findings that we discovered how young women were copying Lady Gaga’s style and wearing them as hot pants on the night club circuit."

England gave us the Beatles, and now we are returning the favor with Lady Gaga.

Find briefs at HerRoom in these departments:
Panties

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Like most, I watched the Golden Globe Awards last Sunday.  I usually don’t watch the Awards ceremony itself, but I love to tune in to the pre-event runway to see what everyone is wearing.  The whole event seemed rather tame this year.  Probably no one wanted to stand out as looking too expensive in this recession.  Jennifer Lopez, looked rediculous in her to-the-navel gown.  Unlike her infamous green Versace gown of years ago, this one looked like she had been wrapped in aluminium foil.  She could barely move for fear of something falling out, and unfortunately, she’s not back to her fighting weight since the babies.  It was not a good look.

The star that had my eyes popping out though, was Renee Zellweger.  "What is she wearing?" "What am I looking at?"  Her Carolina Herrera dress had an oh-so sheer black bodice that was so sheer you were instantly drawn to the bra she was wearing.  At first, I thought she had a strapless bra on, but upon closer review saw vertical lines that were a tell tail sign boning was present.  She was wearing a nude strapless bustier.

Being in the underwear business, I had to wonder if this was the best choice.  I later read that her ensemble was actually a blouse and skirt.  I think this bustier was not the best choice because your eye immediately went to it. Only later did you pull back to take in her entire outfit.  Instead, I would have put a nude crewneck tank over this bustier to remove the sweetheart neckline and give the total illusion of nude.  Or, an alternative would have been to wear a camisole in a different color if you didn’t want the totally nude look.

I do give Renee big points for risk.  With the flashing lights, you run the risk of your lingerie standing out under sheer outfits.  She selected something that at least afforded some modesty, and looked pretty if seen.

Find camisoles at HerRoom in these departments:
Camisoles

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Well, leave it to the Germans to come up with the answer.  Dubbed the new "bullet-proof bra" by the German media,  the Hamburg-based federal police force has successfully marketed police-issue bras for the German police force. According to the Telegraph UK, Carmen Kibat, a policewoman in Hamburg who tested the new underwear, said: "These can save someone’s life so it’s not a laughing matter." She organised "Action Brassiere" across Germany, getting hundreds of policewomen to try the bras out in the line of duty.

Looking very similar to a sports bra, this new bra is white, has padding to prevent vest chaffing, and is a cotton/polyester blend.  My favorite design touch is the word "Polizei" woven into the bras elastic band under the cups.  And, this bra has absolutely no metal or hardware on it.  It must be slipped on over the wearer’s head, and the straps do not adjust. Apparently, there are several styles to choose from, but all have these specific features.

After a recent two-month field test, German women police officers are now allowed to pick three bras and have them paid for by the police department.  A total of 3,000 front-line police women have access to these bras.  So, the next time you’re in a German airport, train station or border crossing, know that the female police officers are probably donning one of these new bras.  However, a police spokesman was heard saying that the wearing of these new bras "is optional."

Find bras at HerRoom in these departments:
Bras

Krupp recommends shapewear for pretty much all day, every day. Some of her suggested "Brilliant Buys?" Flexees One Fabulous Body Camisole 77320, Spanx 160 High Waisted Footless Pantyhose, Donna Karan Hosiery Donna Karan Body Perfect Slimmer – Level 1 0A701, Maidenform Control It High-Waist Brief 12419.

When it comes to bras, Krupp reinforces everything I keep telling you here on HerRoom—it’s about fit, fit, fit. Her quickie saggy boob test, which has been on HerRoom for over 8 years, suggests you measure yourself from the top of your shoulder to the bend in your elbow. When trying on a bra, your nipple should hit about mid-way between the two, maybe slightly lower for very large breasts. Her Brilliant Buys in bras? Le Mystere Tisha Bra – Full Figure Renaissance 9955, Wacoal iBra Contour Bra 85380, Chantelle Volupte Molded Minimizer Bra 2361, Natori Sheer Mesh Convertible Contour Plunge 132005.

If you’re going to start knocking those years off, why not begin with your underwear drawer?

Find your new lingerie wardrobe at HerRoom in these departments:
Bras
Panties
Thongs
Shapewear
Sleepwear
Slips
Camisoles
Hosiery
Plus-Size Lingerie
Sport Underwear
Bridal Lingerie
Maternity Underwear
Sexy Lingerie