For years, full bust bra wearers (roughly defined as people in sizes DD or higher) have talked about how few choices there are for beautiful lingerie in their size. I’m not just talking about bras that exist in a particular size, of which there are (usually) many, but about bras that feel modern and fresh and equivalent to their core size counterparts in terms of both construction and design. Adina Reay is one brand trying to bridge that gap.
A couple of years ago, I wrote an article on black-owned lingerie brands and it became one of TLA’s most popular articles to-date. Despite what many business experts or industry authorities have to say about the importance of “neutral” or “colorblind” companies, it turns out many people want to support underrepresented or marginalized designers. This is especially when these brands respond to a need the larger intimate apparel industry has neglected for decades.
One of the things I’ve mentioned here before – and that I keep coming back to, because it’s always true – is that every shoot is a new experience. Not just because I’m working with a new photographer, but also because I’m a different person. The Cora of a few months isn’t exactly the same as the Cora of right now. And I’m finding myself wanting to push, to move forward, to dig beyond what I’ve done before and what feels safe.
I always, always, always love introducing a new brand on TLA. Even better if that brand is run by someone who’s been the invisible, behind-the-scenes innovator on so many luxury lingerie labels, from Ludique to Bordelle. One can’t help but wonder what someone that creative could do if they were in charge of their own label. For now, at least when it comes to Pia Conaghan, we don’t have to wonder anymore. Her debut collection for the eponymous brand, Studio by Pia, is both ambitious and impressive.
Few things are as mysterious as luxury lingerie. In a retail landscape obsessed with 5 for $20 panties and 2 for $30 bras, it can seem strange when a company goes in the complete opposite direction, prioritizing high quality materials, fair labor, and impeccable fit over low prices.
