Into It, Intimates / Luva Huva

September 12, 2014November 11, 2014Leave a comment

I stumbled upon the handmade lingerie and sleepwear brand Luva Huva very recently on etsy and was immediately taken by how well designer Joanna Ketterer does a combination of cute and sexy quite seamlessly (no pun intended). I’ll be honest, as much as I can appreciate modern looking lingerie pieces that would not be deemed cute in any real sense, I really am an old-fashioned broad at heart, and pieces that ooze the sweetness and femininity of by-gone eras will always be my favourite. So it is clear as day I would be taken by this intimates brand. And it is an added bonus when a lingerie designer creates sleepwear pieces. I often prefer to wear vintage nightgowns to lounge around the house and sleep in, so I love finding designers making sleepwear pieces that echo the adorable nightgowns of the past.

It’s also important to note that while buying a lovely garment has it’s merits, being aware of where your materials and fabrics are coming from is also quite important. This brand is aware of their carbon footprint, and ethically source environmentally friendly and sustainable fabrics whenever possible. The fabrics Joanna uses are 100% organic cotton, bamboo, soy fabrics, with end of line remnants and vintage lace – all good things, in my opinion. If you have not seen or heard of this brand before, I urge you to virtually pop by, both on their own online shop and etsy.

My favourites: Cornflower Nightie, Yellow Stripe Nightie, Yellow Print Babydoll & Knicker set, Aster Babydoll & Knicker set, Ivory Sweet Juliet Chantilly Lace & Knicker set, Coraline Black Lace Triangle Bra & Brief set, Odette Bra & Brief set, Anemone Bra set

Into It, Intimates / Bully Boy Lingerie

August 1, 2014November 11, 2014Leave a comment

It’s always pretty exciting to find designers based out of Toronto. I’m often proud to say I’m a Torontonian (by choice) because there is so much talent living in this big city, I feel lucky to be surrounded by it. It’s all the more exciting when I come across Toronto-based lingerie designers. Enter Bully Boy Lingerie. Designer Vanessa Warrack – who is also co-designer of the ever popular Minnow Bathers – creates pieces that are simple in design but stand out with interesting details – v shapes, horizontal and vertical panels covering lady bits. Depending on your style, you could argue that some of these pieces could be worn on a night out with a pair of high waisted shorts/skirt/pants (I know I have seen similar things worn by AA enthusiasts). And why not make lingerie pieces that aren’t totally inappropriate for everyday wear? The more you can wear them,the better, in my opinion. It seems Vanessa has not released any new designs in awhile (correct me if I’m wrong), I’m sure most of her focus is going toward Minnow Bathers, which is becoming more and more popular. But if she does decide to release new designs, well, I will welcome them with open arms.

My favourites: Sheer Mesh High Waisted Panties, Sheer Striped Bra & Panties, Floral Sheer High Waist shorts, Ultra High Waist Panties, Sheer Black Mesh Soft Bra

Into It, Intimates / Hopeless Lingerie

July 18, 2014November 11, 2014Leave a comment

When I came across Hopeless Lingerie it immediately gave me serious femme fatale/black widow vibes. To me, Hopeless Lingerie is the seductress of lingerie brands, which I think is the intent, because designer Gabrielle Adamidis pieces are inspired by old films, modern art, the ocean, the 1980’s and B-grade horror films. Her inspiration doesn’t just end at the designs, this particular lookbook is eerily tantalizing and the photography focuses mostly on the parts of a woman that can be of temptation to a man or woman – the stuff that makes us lose our heads. It’s the (veggie)meat and potatoes of film noir, and thus totally perfect. It’s so easy to find collections that lose their purpose and direction, I see it all the time. Sure, the garments are nice, tons are, but what makes it stand out? Why would I want to wear it? Maybe I think too deeply about these things, but Hopeless Lingerie never makes me wonder. The inspiration and direction is never lost. It’s a solid brand, with beautifully detailed, handmade pieces that would make any woman feel sexy and empowered while wearing them.

My favourites: Donna Knickers – polka dot, Jessica Bralette – black lace, Nancy Cami – polka dot, Monica Wrap Top – star mesh, Carrie Knickers, Jeanne Knickers – star mesh

Into It, Intimates / The Loved One

July 4, 2014November 11, 2014Leave a comment

Well it’s due time I talk about The Loved One‘s lingerie, but if you’ve been a reader of mine for awhile you likely already know how enamored I am with this American-made lingerie line and vintage retailer, founded by Elvia Lahman and Hannah Metz. However, it would be silly of me not to include TLO in my new series, so here we are. The Loved One is indeed my favorite intimates line (no surprise there). It’s rare I find an intimates brand that I would absolutely buy every single piece from, but I can honestly say that is the case with TLO. Their aesthetic is one I feel a real kinship to, and it seems like each piece was specifically made for someone just like me – a lingerie brand after my own heart. My love for them is likely due to the fact that each piece feels authentically vintage, even though it is new. Having a modern take on vintage-inspired lingerie can be great, but I think it can be wonderful to just recreate styles popular in eras past. Afterall, it’s so hard to find vintage lingerie that is in good condition at a reasonable price point, and well, sometimes people just don’t like wearing other peoples old panties (I can’t purport to be one of those people though). I’m not sure of their plans to release new styles any time soon, they have had a few of these for quite awhile now, not that I’m complaining, but I’d love to see what they come up with next, and I’m sure you agree.

My favorites: Agony of Love knickers, gold Sin In The Suburbs knickers, Ballet Pink Fuego Top, She Should Have Stayed In Bed Bralette, One Shocking Moment Bra (already own it, teehee), How To Make A Doll bustier

Into It, Intimates / Alexandrea Anissa

June 20, 2014November 11, 2014Leave a comment

If there was one intimate brand my 16 yr old goth self would be totally over the moon for, Alexandrea Anissa would be it. And while I rarely wear black or anything that could be considered fetish-dominatrix-gothy apparel anymore, you can never really take the goth out of the girl, and so this brand is one I am very much into, even in my cheery-grandma-schoolgirl state. Most of the garments seem to be made for play rather than functionality, which could seem like an impractical buy, but things like that have never swayed me. I’d like to think these pieces are the sort of lingerie worn by the unsuspecting gal, and the lookbook (which I love!!!) and the model (whom I love!!!) do a wonderful job of capturing that girl and that feeling – all business on the outside, and playfully mischievous underneath.