Last week was a helluva week for me. I was supposed to fly to Milwaukee for an appointment on Tuesday- in and out in one day. However, due to flight delays and cancelled flights, I ended up stuck in Milwaukee through Thursday (why couldn’t I get stuck in a city like Paris or Rome???) After finally returning to the East Coast, I decided I needed a little R&R. I went down the shore to spend a few days with my parents who live in Barnegat, NJ (just inland from Long Beach Island.) Quality time with family never fails to cure the effects of the “woe is me” syndrome.
INDIAN SUMMER, Beach Haven, Long Beach Island.
Of course, even while on vacation, I inevitably find myself drawn to the closest lingerie boutiques. This time, it was Indian Summer in Beach Haven on Long Beach Island, NJ. The owner, Marla Wink, is quite proud of her assortment…and she should be! Who would think a bustling beach town with very few year-round residents would need a bra shop? Before entering, I assumed she would only be carrying casual lingerie that caters to the tourists that browse the myriad shops along Bay Avenue looking to score an LBI logo sweatshirt or a pair of flip-flops. Nonetheless, I was dead wrong! Indian Summer has a wide assortment of bras from 28-48 band and from AA to K cup. She carries quality brands such as Wacoal, Chantelle, Eveden brands Fantasie, Freya and Elomi, Panache and Harlequin, and newcomer Curvy Kate. A full-busted gal like me was in bra heaven. In addition, she has cozy PJ sets and robes from the likes of PJ Salvage and luxurious lingerie from brands such as In Bloom and Jonquil. The best part? Bra-sized swimwear from Freya, Fantasie, Huit, Panache and Anita among others. It was definitely worth the trip!
This Tuesday, August 21st, CLO Intimo is hosting a Summer Sample Sale at the Archstone in Murray Hill from 5-10pm. Sip champagne and nibble on strawberries while browsing the last of the CLO Summer styles as well as the unique jewelry designs of Rebecka Froberg.
Leading lingerie trade show CURVENV runs from August 21st through the 23rd at The Venetian in Las Vegas. Guests can still register at www.curvexpo.com.
Freshpair, the world’s leading internet retailer for men’s underwear and women’s lingerie needs, is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of National Underwear Day this week. Freshpair will unveil its one-of-a-kind “It’s Time for a Change” pop-up store in New York City on Wednesday. Everyone is invited to 315 W. 57th Street in Manhattan, August 22nd and 23rd, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The pop-up store will provide guests with an “experience” including free underwear from the event’s title sponsors—Calvin Klein, Wacoal, Leonisa, Emporio Armani, 2xist, C-IN2, Rated M, and others—as well as demonstrations of Freshpair’s signature At Home Bra Fitting and Men’s Underwear Club services, advice from style gurus, exclusive specials and giveaways, and a walk through model alley where New York’s top models will be showing off the latest underwear looks. The “It’s Time for a Change” campaign represents a lot for this company which recently went through a rebranding. Check out Freshpair’s new look and unique services which were developed to provide a personalized customer experience at: www.freshpair.com
Fashion’s Night Out is scheduled for September 6th. I will be spending the evening with Bethenny Frankel at Macy’s Herald Square. Want in on the fun? You can win a chance to walk the Skinnygirl Smoothers n’ Shapers Fashion Show at FNO. Bethenny says, “When I created Skinnygirl Smoothers n’ Shapers, I wanted a sensible solution without compromising fashion. I made sure that Skinnygirl Shapewear was made for real women. It’s the shapewear that you want people to see. That’s why, for Fashion’s Night Out, we’re celebrating with a fashion show that showcases women of all different shapes and sizes feeling confident and sexy in their Skinnygirl Shapewear.” Three lucky ladies will be chosen to walk in the Skinnygirl Solutions “Real Woman” Fashion Show, taking place at Macy’s Herald Square on Thursday, September 6th. Winners will get to keep the shapewear that they walk in and will receive a styling session with a Macy’s fashion expert prior to the show. Plus, Bethenny will be emceeing the event so the winners will get to meet the “queen of too much information!!” Entries are due no later than Wednesday, August 22nd. For details: http://www.bethenny.com/post/bethenny-frankel-skinnygirl-shapewear-contest-celebrate-fashions-night-out-with-me
“parfait” n. or adj. meaning, “perfect” in French
Leading lingerie brands Affinitas & Parfait have recently launched “The Parfait Stylist,” a nationwide search for a budding stylist to style their upcoming campaign in L.A. this Fall. Contestants must prove their styling skills using Polyvore and then via a “Style-off” video for a chance to win a $1500 cash prize, $1000 worth of Affinitas & Parfait lingerie courtesy of Ladymate.com and round-trip airfare & hotel stay in Los Angeles, CA this November to style the brand’s next campaign! To enter, contestants must submit initial entries by August 31st at this link: http://www.facebook.com/AffinitasIntimates/app_475782395767493.
Final winner will be selected by Affinitas & Parfait along with Guest Judges, Treacle Tart, The Lingerie Addict www.thelingerieaddict.com & Miriam Hernandez, The Lingerie Stylist www.thelingeriestylist.com. This is a very exciting & unique opportunity for aspiring fashion stylists.
The International Lingerie Show (ILS) runs September 10th through the 12th at the RIO in Las Vegas. The ILS trade show leans towards the sexy/adult side of our industry. For more information, go to: www.lvlingerieshow.com.
Got Insight? Having an Intimate Affair? Let us know! Everyone can be an Intimate Insider!
As seen on LingerieBriefs.com
Intimate Insiders, Intimate Affairs and Upcoming Events
10 JanHappy New Year! For me, the New Year is a great time for reflection. Many years ago I started a habit of keeping a journal. I am not one to write in it daily; but I make it a point to pull it out in the first part of January to write out my accomplishments from the previous year and to list out my goals, hopes, dreams and initiatives for the coming year (both personal and professional.) It’s fascinating to look at what was written the previous January. Most of the time, I forget what I wrote! Usually, the goals that were set have been accomplished (in some shape or form.) And more often than not, the outcome is far better than I could have imagined! So before I get you up to speed on the upcoming “Intimate Affairs,” I’d like to reflect back on 2012.
The lingerie blogosphere expanded to include new bloggers and other independent intimate apparel professionals including my personal new fave, Caro the Lingerie Lesbian!
In ecommerce retailing, we saw new methods of marketing and selling intimates from sites including True & Co., IntiMint, AdoreMe.com and Ampere. Ecom retailers are offering lingerie subscription services and other innovative methods of retailing.
I witnessed an increased awareness of the importance of a proper fit. There were numerous online “debates” regarding the best way to fit, vanity sizing and so on. More and more brands, manufacturers and retailers are paying closer attention to the needs specific to the full-figure and full-busted consumer. Early last year, Bare Necessities launched their sister site, Bare Plus, which is an online shopping environment dedicated to this consumer.
In late October, the northeast suffered the wrath of Hurricane Sandy which delayed the quarterly wholesale market week and destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses including my friend Marla Wink’s lingerie store, Indian Summer, in Beach Haven, Long Beach Island, New Jersey. (I’m happy to report that Marla is as determined as ever to rebuild her store and is hopeful that she will re-open her doors in time for the busy Summer selling season down the shore.)
The Lingerie Collective is coming to New York City in February 2013! The boutique trade show is well-known in London for featuring British and international emerging brands with a focus on innovation and luxury.
Other charity events included Go Naked and Check Yourself which was hosted in part by Sweetest Sin Boutique in Red Bank, New Jersey and included sponsors LELO and The Lingerie Alliance.
Overall, 2012 was a year full of growth and advancements. I am motivated by the forward movement in our industry and look forward to seeing further progress throughout 2013. I wish all of you the best of health, happiness, a sense of well-being, success and prosperity in your professional lives and in your personal endeavors.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming “Intimate Affairs” which are taking place here in the USA and around the World:
The Lingerie Collective in London- January 13th – 15th, 2013
Salon International de la Lingerie and Interfiliere in Paris- January 19th – 21st, 2013
Pure London in London- February 10th – 12th, 2013
Moda Lingerie and Swimwear in Birmingham- February 17th – 19th, 2013
Curve NV in Las Vegas- February 18th – 19th, 2013
Lingerie Fashion Week (LingerieFW) in New York- February 22nd – 23rd, 2013
The Lingerie Collective in New York- February 24th – 26th, 2013
Curve NY in New York- February 24th – 26th, 2013
INDX Intimate Apparel Show in the UK- March 19th – 21st, 2013
China Sourcing Fair in Hong Kong- April 27th – 30th, 2013
As seen on LingerieBriefs.com
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Tags: 2012, Adore Me, Ampere, Angela Friedman, Angie Courtney, At Home Bra Fit, Bare Necessities, Bare Plus, Brand Affair, Cheeki brand, Curve, CurvExpo, Dear Kate, Empowered by You, Fleur du Mal, Freshpair, Go Naked and Check Yourself, Goals, HerRoom.com, Indian Summer, Interfiliere, Intimate Affair, Intimate Apparel Square Club, intiMINT, Julie Sygiel, Lauren Rich, Lingerie, LingerieFW, Luis Paredes, Marla Wink, National Underwear Day, Nevaeh Intimates, New Year, Nolcha Fashion Week, PinkChoseMe, RichPR, Rouge Seduire, Salon International de la Lingerie, Services, Subscription, Sweetest Sin Boutique, The HUG Award, The Lingerie Alliance, The Lingerie Collective, The Lingerie Journal, The Lingerie Lesbian, Trade Shows, True & Co., Underfashion Club, underwear, Year in Review