As a lingerie designer, people often tell me my work sounds like a ‘dream job.’ An aura of fantasy and glamour surrounds the fashion industry. However, the reality is lingerie design can be pretty boring most of the time, with very little creativity involved at all.
I don’t talk much about activewear on TLA and that’s honestly because most activewear campaigns are kinda boring. Impeccably made-up models going through vaguely athletic motions? Nah. Hard pass. But Lane Bryant’s new Livi Activewear Collection? Well, that had me grinning from ear to ear.
One of our previous “Best of Lingerie” winners, Tisja Damen first caught our eye with intricate patchwork lingerie that was more akin textile art than intimates. I fell in love with their unique, directional approach, and I’ve been checking in on the brand ever sense. In a way, it’s almost harder when you debut with such a strong perspective. People expect brilliance, and that can be a difficult bar to achieve season after season. Fortunately for the lingerie world, Tisja Damen manages to clear it easily.
I first met one of the founders of Department of Curiosities at the Oxford Conference of Corsetry. Gerry Quinton, under the label Morua Corsetry & Couture, actually designed one of my favorite pieces – a cream overbust corset with golden stars made of fragmented glass. I was honestly delighted when I first heard the news of her new lingerie label. Corsetry is a bit of niche area, inaccessible and intimidating to many. Loungewear on the other hand…well, who doesn’t want some of that?
Gabi Gregg has done it again. The new GabiFresh x Swimsuits for All collection is here, and, like the rest of the collective internet, I’m in love. This year’s theme is “New Year, Same You,” and I adore that tagline, especially during a season when people are actively being encouraged to dramatically change (or even loathe) their bodies. The idea that you’re perfectly and worth loving exactly as you are right now is one I can get behind, and I appreciate how Swimsuits for All is going against the metaphorical tide with a message I find refreshing.
