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.
Trusst Lingerie launched on Kickstarter in the Spring of 2015 and met its goal in 5 days. The bra was designed to “actually support” full-bust women by using an alternative to the underwire: a 3D-printed bra core called the BAST, which stands for Breast Advanced Support Technology. Trusst says their BAST is more supportive and more comfortable than a traditional underwire by reducing shoulder strain and, according to their website, “eliminating the pinching, poking, and discomfort commonly associated with underwires.” Their goal was to create a bra for women who hate underwire bras and find them uncomfortable. I was super excited for the opportunity to review it as I have a lot of varied thoughts on this concept.
Here it is: the finale, the coup de grâce, the closer to 2016. Speaking personally as Editor in Chief for a moment, I take our best lingerie brands of the year post very seriously. I start making notes on certain companies as early as January, “checking in” on them, so to speak, throughout the year.
