Lingerie: Goodbye Flannel Nightgown

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Benoist_Shanghai
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Joined: May 18, 2003
Posts: 3057

Posted: Feb 12, 2005 - 06:57 PM
Post subject: Lingerie: Goodbye Flannel Nightgown

Yep, recycled... Rolling Eyes

b.

Lingerie: Goodbye Flannel Nightgown
Forbes.com
By Breckinridge Ely

It's the most romantic time of the year again--or so the folks at Hallmark tell us--and with it comes the annual rush of harried gentlemen and love-struck suitors desperate to show their wives and girlfriends that they really, really do care.

And while we approve of red roses, chocolates and diamonds as much as the next person, we fail to see their connection with amor. They are gifts, indulgences, expensive little treats to gladden the heart of a special lady, but there is nothing inherently romantic about any of them. So on February 14th forget the Whitman's Sampler and give the gift that will make everyone's hearts beat faster: lingerie.

And not just any lingerie, of course. But the finest, silkiest, most expensive and, dare we say it, sexiest frilly unmentionables you can find. From such well-known makers as Victoria's Secret and La Perla to smaller brands like Strumpet & Pink and Guia La Bruna, these pricey skivvies can make women look desirable without looking cheap.

Most Expensive Lingerie

Of course, sending most men to buy lingerie is like sending most women to buy a big screen TV or a power mower: Not only in most cases are the relevant details of the products unknown but, at least with men, it is difficult to browse through racks of brassieres without getting some pretty funny looks from the other customers.

Well, get over it. "A man who gives a gift of lingerie is showing that he's willing to step out and take a risk, and women appreciate that," says Catriona MacKechnie, owner of an eponymous new luxury lingerie boutique in New York City's fashionable Meatpacking District. "So many men have been led to believe that red lace is the only way to go. But if they take a moment to look around and realize all the creative things available that are just as wearable, they really seem to get into it."

To help you in your search for just the right lingerie to send Cupid a message, we've compiled a list of the most expensive lingerie items we could find. Produced by independent and boutique designers as well as large fashion houses, they're the perfect way to shout your Valentine's feelings in the most intimate tones.

(http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/2005/02/08/cx_ns_0209featslide.html)

For more than 40 years, Paris-based Aubade has been turning out luscious, lacy lingerie for women who appreciate sophisticated seduction. A little bit "Boho," a little bit classic and patently pretty, these items come in the finest lace and Swiss, Italian and French embroidery for that just-so look. This stunning embroidered tulle and black tulle voile bra and St. Tropez boy-brief combo from Aubade's top-of-the-line "Tresor Divin" collection of is an eyeful--though for your eyes only, of course. Sleeveless robe, high-heels and wet deck not included.

From the largest French intimate apparel company comes--what else?--lusciously intimate French lingerie. It'd be hard to find something more sophisticated and refined than this bra and panty from the "Satine" collection--the former ($90) with vertical seams for an "uplifting" effect and just enough lace to decorate the neckline; the latter ($45) with the similar and equally lovely lace detailing at the leg. Comes in ice blue for spring, and ivory for any old time of year.

A graduate of the State School of Decorative Arts in Paris, Guia La Bruna began collaborating with her mother, a lingerie designer in her own right, on ways to express her creative urges through women's most intimate clothing. Inspired by things she wants to wear herself, Guia brings together vintage cuts and contemporary fabrics to create colorful girlish pieces, such as this lovely and altogether flowery "Summer Tale" bra and thong set in 100% silk.

Drop-dead lingerie at blood pressure-raising prices, La Perla is pretty much the gold standard of intimate under things. Founded in Bologna in 1954 by Ada Masotti, La Perla features a wealth of sexy and sophisticated collections--including last year's "Limited Edition" 50th Anniversary line up made from the finest Valenciennes lace and created on Caudry looms from the 18th century. This fetching "Show-Off" body suit is from the spring/summer 2005 collection. Worried she'll be a little chilly? Pair it with a matching "Emotif" robe for $296 or an "Enchante" nightgown for $306--both as pretty as the pennies you'll spend.

It's all about lace at Lise Charmel, a stylish, sophisticated and superbly fitted lingerie line founded in the 1950s in Lyon, France, and now distributed by Milltex. Rather than go the sheer and racy route, the highest-end Lise Charmel by Lise Charmel collection takes it slow and demure, with stylish and elegant French cuts that leave just enough to the imagination--but not too much. You'll have to pay a bit for such modesty, of course, but this Silk and Satin Bustier looks like it's worth the investment.

"Mary Green is to Victoria's Secret what crème brulee is to Reddi Wip," noted Daily Variety of the San Francisco-based lingerie maker who launched her business with men's silk long johns back in the 1970s. Playful, girlish and perhaps a bit garish, Green's lingerie is a favorite of the Hollywood celebrity set, but don't let that put you off. After grabbing the spotlight with customized sleep masks for the gals on Sex In The City, Green now offers 16 collections in a rainbow of colors and counter-culture styles. This long duster with boy shorts (for $1 Cool

and fishnets (here, by Wolford) is perfect ensemble for a slinky Valentine's evening.

Sexy things come in small boutiques, and when it comes to lingerie there's nothing sexier, smaller or more expensive than Sabbia Rosa. Founded by its Tunisian namesake on the Left Bank of Paris in 1976, the tiny shop is a regular stop for the rich, famous, celebrity and royalty among us, including Nicole Kidman, Madonna, Naomi Campbell, Catherine Deneuve, Sofia Coppola and even Woody Allen. Rosa designs and hand-makes everything herself in finest silk, satin and lace, changing her collections monthly and happily catering to client suggestions. Collections change monthly, and prices do, too: The most expensive item in store at the moment is a cashmere and silk robe for around $3,230. An extensive line-up includes every under-thing you could imagine, including camisoles and nightgowns that can double as outerwear. Available via phone sales, as well as at Barneys in the U.S.

Just imagine the look on your Valentine's face when she unwraps a pair of these--not to mention the look on yours when she actually tries them on. Founded three years ago in Sussex, England, by artists Lisa Morgan and Melanie Probert, Strumpet & Pink aims for fantasy and delivers with frilly, handmade concoctions in satins, silks and chiffons, embellishments such as pearls, ribbons, flowers and bows, and earthy colors such as lichen, berry and "slutty-pinky-browny" mink. (That's their description, not ours.) Off-the-rack S&P knickers run $330 to $460, while fantasy's the limit on bespoke items.

As pretty as spring flowers--or your Valentine herself--this slinky, French-inspired, stretch lace and mesh "Merrywidow" is a standout among Victoria's Secret notoriously come-hither collection. Fashioned by Chantal Thomass with playful embellishments and a provocative cut, it's fashioned from imported nylon and spandex and available in pink and white. Sure to make her look like a Victoria's Secret supermodel--all for yourself.