Summertime Lingerie Dressing, Part I

If you live on the East Coast, you've probably had some insanely cold and an insanely long winter. We've finally been experiencing some warm weather in NYC—thank goodness, finally now that it's June. I feel more secure now about searching for wardrobe inspiration to revamp my spring/summer style.

One of the chicest ladies in my office was wearing a beautiful black silk romper today. Or should I call it a jumpsuit? I like the word romper because it has shorts, but it sounds so un-chic to say a chic woman wore a romper to work. Nevertheless. The long sleeves make it work appropriate, but the lacy details à la ARI DEIN are what caught my eye. So imagine my surprise when she told me it was MAJE!

But really, the lace details soften an otherwise severe black romper; the long sleeves make it perfect for chilly offices while the shorts make this cool for lunch runs in the summer. And once fall comes again, just throw on a chunky cardigan or leather jacket over it and you can extend the shelf-life of this by another two months.

Maje "Evening" Silk Romper, $470. Available at Nordstrom.com.

Images via.

Shopping for Sandy (Relief)

New Yawkers! Attention! I know you all know someone who was affected by Hurricane Sandy, and the fine folks over at the CFDA Fashion Incubator want to help—but they also need you to help. They're hosting a sample sale today and tomorrow to help benefit victims of the hurricane.

So mosey on over and check out what they have to offer. Rumor has it (on Facebook) that PLU favorite ARI DEIN's got a nice little assortment to offer...!

See below for location & time details!

209 West 38th Street, 3rd Fl
Between 7th & 8th Avenues
12pm - 7:30pm

Market Week: A Super-Brief Curve NY Recap

So, this recent market week, I didn't do my usual whirlwind schedule of visiting everyone. There are a couple of reasons for this:

1. Invitations sent out late (like, a week before the event) and my schedule had been set for about three weeks.
2. It's a weekend in August. People travel on the weekends. And sometimes travel in buses that get stuck in traffic on the way back to the city during a torrential downpour. It's exhausting.
3. Brands are spread out. Like, way out. I applaud those who are trying to break free of the Javits Jailhouse—I mean, Convention Center—but when the main event is at the Javits, trekking out there in 90-degree weather is exhausting enough.
4. The realization that brands are paying lots of moola for a tiny booth space for 2.5 days and they need to talk to the buyers and big press, not necessarily me. I like to think that I did a good job of scooting away when real visitors came by, but now I still feel bad. Sorry guys.

So in conclusion, anyone I missed at the other hotels and other market week events, I'm sorry. But the combination of traveling that weekend and possibly being still slightly hungover from a major wedding that Saturday wasn't going to let it happen.

In addition to the few photos below, I stopped/passed by Kriss Soonik (amazing new swimwear collection), Lascivious (pops of colour!), La Fee Verte (sick prints and shorts & PJ pants), Mimi Holliday (amazing neons & color combos), Love & Dream (lovely soft basics), and Zinke (new colors for their basics and an amazing new super-versatile maxi dress). 

A little slice of awesome at ARI DEIN's booth. I want everything. There are prints. And PJ pants. And some chemises I'm dying to wear out one night. Come to me sweeties.

A gorgeous flamingo print from Beautiful Bottoms! So in love with how adorable yet chic this romper is.

BOOM. A gold bra at—who else—Marlies Dekkers. Of course the Lingerie Queen (the nickname I'm bestowing upon Marlies Dekkers) would create something as fabulous as this. It's like, Game of Thrones-body armour-esque.

And finally, yeah-yuhhhh.

A Belated-Everything Wishlist

Hello! Bonjour! It's been awhile. I haven't forgotten about PLU, I've just been busy and unfortunately my blog has gotten the short end of the stick. Fortunately, my birthday recently passed and I thought it'd be fun to post a lil' (belated) birthday wishlist because I've been seeing some reeeallly lovely pieces and I can't wait to post them individually. Also because these are all things I wanted for my birthday, I just never told anyone.

1. Dolce & Gabbana Floral-print Bodysuit

An artful floral slash nautical print with bold strokes in a stretch-silk blend fabric. I love Dolce & Gabbana's bodysuits for their loud prints and classic bombshell silhouettes. This would be perfect with jeans and a leather jacket.  $1,245. Available at net-a-porter.com.

2. Mimi Holliday Mojito Set

Y'all know how much I love Mimi Holliday; so much that my birthday wishlist probably would seem like a forgery if I didn't include a Mimi on here! I loved this almost-fluorescent-but-not-quite-because-it's-classier colour the most of the spring/summer colorways, and had to resist the temptation to buy it when I tried it on a few weeks ago. Pair it with a tan (SPF kids!) and a real mojito for summertime cool. Or just hang it up in your room and stare at it.  Bra, $82. Boyshorts, $76. Available at Journelle.com.

3. ARI DEIN Boutique Hotel Demi Gown

In strawberry ice, please! This is lady in the front, and lady-of-the-night in the back. Okay, well she'd have to be a really classy lady of the night. Who isn't really a lady of the night. I mean, at least it's a classy way to show off some side boob and the toned back you've been working on in pilates class. And it's gorgeous, handmade and 100% made in my favorite city, NYC.  $295, available at Journelle.com.

CURVE NY Recap: ARI DEIN's Got an Art Deco-Inspired Fall/Winter

Going East with ARI DEIN's Shanghai Waldorf Collection

A favorite of PLU (meaning it's one of my favorites), ARI DEIN's Fall/Winter 2012 collection is imaginative but still so true to the core of what makes ARI DEIN a standout line. Art Deco-inspired and already a wardrobe classic that doesn't rely on trends to make it desirable. I love the shimmers paired with matte silk, and the handmade knot details that add a special touch to the Shanghai Waldorf pieces. Here's a closer look at some of the pieces we saw from NYFW and Creatrice Arielle Shapiro's take on her F/W '12 efforts.

"So I was very inspired this season by the city of Shanghai, which has the largest concentration of Art Deco architecture in the world. So when I was designing this season, I wanted to think very much about the colors and the color meaning in Chinese culture. And also hand details like good luck knots and signature borders in jacquard this time instead of a plain charmeuse, so I tried to play with texture and incorporated prints for the first time in the Boutique Hotel sort of style but we updated it this season to call it the Shanghai Waldorf Collection. So it has that authentic ARI DEIN art deco and retro vibe we always go for.

One of the pieces that really helped launch ARI DEIN and brand the collection was the Boutique Hotel Collection—specifically the chemise—and every season I listen to our customer feedback and make little updates so over the past I guess now 5 seasons we’ve added darts for breast contour, sometimes we do elastic in the back of the ribcage so that we can expand the chest circumference for fit, adjustable straps, we added a second button on the side opening so that we could limit the gaping of the … I guess just the opening of the side. I’m trying to use all these fancy words! [laughs]. 

But what I really like this season is that we’ve done it in a chiffon with prints so it’s a little bit sexier. The trim is a jacquard so it has that beautiful floral texture. The strap is a double strap—it has a little skinny adjustable area in the back but then the front part is jacquard to match the rest of the piece, and we have a beautiful little cutout in the bust area. So it’s a much sexier kind of take on this really classic, sophisticated cut that we do."

ARI DEIN Fall/Winter 2012 NYFW Presentation

I had the pleasure of attending ARI DEIN's Fall/Wintter 2012 presentation for NYFW last night at Cellar Bar (Bryant Park Hotel), and it was pretty amazing. The location couldn't have been more perfect—Cellar Bar has a really dramatic medieval-esque design to it, and combine that with mood lighting and a LIVE opera singer? Well, as my boyfriend so astutely summarized, "It's kind of like that scene in Taken."

Great movie, but definitely no virgin trafficking going on here. Just an incredibly expanded offering of Ari's classic silk pieces. There's new bralette designs, reworked robes and ready-to-wear! Including a bodysuit! There's some new cuts and details for F/W '12 but the feeling of contemporary luxury is still there. It's classic without being stuffy, yet still appeals to all age ranges. It's magic. 

P.S. Boyfriend, I want a set of those pajamas. Or the printed top on the second photo, on the second model from the right. Kthxbye.

  

All photos mine.

Guest Blogger Wishlist: Arielle Shapiro of ARI DEIN

ARI DEIN is one of this blog's favorite labels to look at, lust after, and gush about. The pieces are stunning and the tiniest details add so much to each luxe silk creation. Collection creatrice Arielle Shapiro is a member of the latest class of the CFDA Incubator program, and I can't wait to see what's next. I mean, c'mon - the girl sold out on Shopbop in a week!

1. ARI DEIN Classic Boutique Hotel Pajamas 

image via shopbop.com

These are the apple of my lingerie-loving eye this season. I had long dreamt of adding a set like this to the collection, but I knew that they would be expensive. But, Journelle's CEO Claire Chambers convinced me (over a glass of wine) that there was indeed a void in the marketplace for a super-luxe menswear inspired PJ set. With her encouragement I went ahead with the concept and put my signature stamp on it. Since, they've been featured on Gossip Girl, in Elle Magazine, The Wall St. Journal, New York Magazine, and WWD. And thanks to you awesome readers and holiday shoppers, they sold out on Shopbop.com in the first millisecond!

2. Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Cologne

image via jomalone.com

I was sitting in a full day conference at Stern Business school and in the spirit of Elle Woods Dein, I was in fact the only attendee wearing a bright red Donna Karen shift dress in a sea of grey herringbone and black stocking sheers. I sat next to one girl in particular and the longer the seminar went on, the more intoxicated I became by her choice of fragrance. Until finally, the scentstalker that I am, I asked for the name of her perfume. It was, in fact, a Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir that was tickling my nose. Ah-maze. It smells like purple money and fresh-clean happiness.

3. MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA BY L'ATELIER D'EXERCICES Ostrich feather pen

image via net-a-porter.com

My grandmother taught me to write my name in cursive with a yellow one. She instructed that it was the only pen with which to sign a check. She was correct.

4. iVICTROLA

This exists, so you should buy it. Now you know when I say I'm looping jazz records I'm really making a Nat King Cole station on Pandora and fake Victroling. How 19-21st Century of me!

5. "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde

image via anthropologie.com

You can totally cut away the book jacket with an exact-o knife and then cover "Men Are From Mars, Women are From Venus" with it. This way, when you are having afternoon tea at Peacock Alley, the pretty foreign man locking eyes with you from across the lobby won't know you're such a mess until after he's asked you for dinner. And flown you to St. Barths to eat it.

Shop Arielle's wishlist!

1. ARI DEIN Boutique Hotel Pajamas in "Night Cafe" (Navy), $660. Sold out. Rust & Ivory available at aridein.com.

2. Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Cologne, $110 (100ml). Available at jomalone.com.

3. MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA BY L'ATELIER D'EXERCICES Ostrich feather pen, $60. Available at Net-A-Porter.com.
4. iVictrola. Sold out.
5. The Picture of Dorian Gray, $12. Sold out.

A Few Snapsies from Lingerie Market Weekend NYC

Yours truly wasn't feeling too well this Sunday & Monday so I spent a couple of hours at CURVE NY on Sunday and visited Lingerie Journal's Designer Showcase on Monday rather than schlepping to the Javits Center both days. SOWWY. Anyway, here's a few photos of things I did see (and loved—but I forgot to take pictures at Clare Bare because I was so excited to see her line in person for the first time! Stay tuned for more on that). You can peep more over on Facebook!

BTS Lingerie's Airplay Babydoll

Some beautiful swimwear from SeaLion by ARI DEIN

Beautiful swim prints coming at ya from Zinke S/S 2012!

Swiss dot from Zinke S/S 2012

A striped waistband in Ombrato's flannel shorts

What is that? Teehee. From FunFactory

Say Hi to Thursday: Say Hi to Spring with ARI DEIN!

Say Hi to Thursday, a special day of the week when there's only one more work day before a glorious weekend awaits. Pretty Little Underthings will showcase a weekend-perfect piece we'd love to wear.

Andalou Camisole and Thong by ARI DEIN

Lust list item #1783: ARI DEIN's Andalou camisole in a new print for spring! This new "Mona Giardino Rosa" floral print is so classic and gosh darn pretty, it's hard to resist. The hook-and-eye closure is a subtly sexy detail (isn't it always?).

While you'll probably keep the thong under wraps, I'd definitely wear this camisole out with jeans (high-waisted and flared or skinnys will work equally as well), pretty platform wedge sandals, throw on a simple cardigan on top. Everyone will think it's just a pretty top, but guess what—TRICKED YOU! Innerwear as outerwear, amen.

Andalou camisole in Mona Giardino Rosa print, $260. Mona Giardino Rosa thong, $95. Available at ARIDEIN.com.

ARI DEIN Autumn/Winter 2011 Press Preview

I had the super-chic privilege of previewing ARI DEIN's A/W 2011 collection on Monday evening at the Waldorf-Astoria. I'll just say that not only does Arielle know how create some of the most elegant intimates I've seen, but the Lioness' Den is simply fabulous.

Champagne & Vosges chocolate truffles (so delicious that even the models indulged throughout the night) along with Barbarella playing on the TV were the perfect accompaniments to the gorgeous silk Spring/Summer and Fall collections on display near the windows. The pieces seemed to take on a new life in the Waldorf suite; seeing them together—instead of seeing them in a book or singular photos online—showed such progression over the past few short seasons. 

I'll say it—I just freakin' cannot wait to see what else is in the future for this line. Amazing things, no doubt. Now I just have to cross my fingers and hope that I'll win the lottery so I can buy everything, heyyy.

Spring florals that are perfect year-round. I die for the robe and the bralette. Let's be serious, if you don't either than you must be blind.

"Les Ondes Oyster Ombre" bralette. I gladly embrace ruffles, especially in this delicate bralette with tiered colors.

Les modeles avec la creative directrice (I know my French is off, I'm too tired to double check that one)

ARI DEIN's Classic Boutique Hotel Collection in Fall's colors - a rusty pink and cream

Models wearing the Fall collection. I adore the Original Oyster screen print pieces on the model all the way on the right. It's so subtle and makes you do a double-take.

Coconut truffles and ARI DEIN. Let's be serious—if I didn't have some iota of self-control, I probably would have tried to take that platter home. Don't judge, you probably would've wanted to as well.

Check out a few more photos on Pretty Little Underthings' Facebook page!

Previously: Intimate Interview with Arielle Shapiro

Tempting Tuesdays: ARI DEIN Boutique Hotel Pajamas

Tuesdays will feature a lustworthy lingerie set and a suggested retailer. I think we all need a little something beautiful to at least look at to get us through the week. Hope you love them as much as I do!

Boutique Hotel Pajamas by ARI DEIN

Yes, you read that correctly. PAJAMAS. From ARI DEIN. And they look amazing. These are NOT your boyfriend's pajamas. I mean, let's face it—the slob probably just wears boxers to bed anyway (okay, okay, I'm sorry for dissing your man, but I'm NOT THAT SORRY).

Anyway, these beautiful, silky creations also come in brand signature peacock purple, but this set is called "tainted white", which of course made the Soft Cell song play over and over in my head, and I like it, like it, like it. All silk, all the time, with a sexy yet classy cut that'll flatter your shape.

I just want to wear these while I sit on my couch and sketch while drinking hot toddies. Yes, multiple hot toddies. Seems the perfect plan for a rainy or snowy day while we wait for spring to finally come back to NYC.

Boutique Hotel Pajama Top, $374. Pajama bottoms, $286. Available at AriDein.com.

And now, cue the music (I know you saw this coming; if you didn't, then you need to read this blog more regularly):

12 Days of Christmas: ARI DEIN Boxwood Floral Camisole & Shorties

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me...

ARI DEIN Boxwood Floral Camisole & Shorties

So, I know that my interview with ARI DEIN just posted last week, but we're on the second to last day of Pretty Little Underthings' 12 Days of Christmas. So if you don't understand why I wouldn't have an ARI DEIN piece on the list, you must be insane.

I so love this print, especially on the demi robe (if you're a regular reader, you know my obsession with that robe already), and I love how the camisole and shorties have such a seasonless and timeless style. The adjustable purple straps on the cami and the shorties have the same purple trim down the sides of the shorties, which provide a perfect pop of color. Don't be shy—ask Santa for this one (if the Hanukkah Fairy didn't bring you one this year).

Camisole, $260. Shorties, $195. Available at ARIDEIN.com.

Previously, on the 12 days of Christmas...

On the first day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... an Eberjey Onesie!

On the second day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... a Jean Yu Silk-Chiffon Triangle Bra!

On the third day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... a Thousand Dancers Bralette!

On the fourth day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... a Lounge Lover Travel Babe Set!

On the fifth day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... a Hanky Panky Low-Rise Thong Fiiiiiiive-Pack!

On the sixth day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... three pairs of Arlotta Classic Cashmere Slippers!

On the seventh day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... Stella McCartney Knickers of the Week Seven-Pack!

On the eight day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... a Lace Corset Bra from Mink Pink!
On the ninth day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... Brulee Vamp Collection Corset Soft Bra & Boyshorts!
On the tenth day of Christmas, my hottie gave to me... Maison Close Bel-Ami Mesh Underwire Bra!

Intimate Interview: Arielle Shapiro of ARI DEIN

I fell in love with ARI DEIN's line when I saw it at Journelle's Fashion's Night Out event, and so I was over the moon when Arielle Shapiro, the young directrice of this brand, agreed to an interview. ARI DEIN is luxury lingerie at it's finest, and all the pieces are made right here in NYC. The smallest details make the biggest differences, and Arielle has definitely made sure that her line stands out.

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Petit Mort High-Waisted Knickers

Pretty Little Underthings: Your collection is beyond glamorous and has the power to evoke nostalgia for a bygone era most of us never experienced personally. What inspired you to go in this creative direction?
Arielle Shapiro: Thank you Esther!! My grandmother is my personal style icon and grew up in the 1920’s. At first I was really enamored with her fashion sense and especially her classic and eclectic furnishings, but the more I learned about her upbringing the more my inspiration shifted to her father, Ben Dein. He kept his family of eight children afloat through a Great Depression, two World Wars and educated all the boys at Duke and my grandmother at Syracuse. The Dein Fur story is opulent and chic but they were up against a lot during those times. I think it’s incredible what Ben made from nothing- that’s what gave me the confidence to go into business for myself.

PLU: Would you say there is a specific “ARI DEIN woman” who you are designing for? What kind of style and personality traits do you think she has?
Arielle: I have a total ARI DEIN fantasy girl in mind- in winter she’s moody, curling up in her West Village apartment by the fireplace, looping jazz vinyls and downing hot toddies in her lingerie. In summer, she’s refreshed—hanging around the neighborhood in her pajamas, limonata in hand, grabbing peonies at the local grocer. I think of her as being smart, polished well traveled and having great taste—mixing new style with the old. In real life, the collection seems to appeal to a broad range of women with diverse body types and ages. I think the demographic morphs city to city, but I like to think my customers all share an appreciation for quality and timeless fashion.

PLU: What has inspired you the most since you launched your first collection?
Arielle: My inspiration comes from all over the place; fine art, poetry, fairy tales, you name it. But I think what’s been truly amazing to me is just that I was really ambitious and I worked really hard, and it seems like I’m getting out of my career what I put into it. Sure there is much more to learn and achieve, but when you taste the tiniest bit of success and your dreams begin to come true, it is the most inspiring feeling to keep going- how you know you are on the right track.

Boxwood Floral Demi Robe

PLU: What are some of the challenges you’ve had to overcome to launch your line?
Arielle: I had worked in fashion in NY, but after leaving a big company it was news to me where to get things made out of House source fabrics and trims, and all the other aspects of producing in the city. But when there is something I need to learn, I turn into a sponge and just soak up all the information I can get my hands on. In a few months, I had found suppliers, contractors and everything else I needed to start my business. After those details were worked out, everything fell into place.

Also, when you work in a large company you tend to work on one season at a time and then hand it off to another branch for production. Handling my own press, sales, product development, production, etc.—it’s a lot of responsibilities for one person all at once. But I love being involved in every aspect of the company. I think before you can delegate responsibilities to employees you should really make sure you can get the job done first yourself.

PLU: What’s the most exciting moment you’ve experienced so far since you launched ARI DEIN?
Arielle: Probably getting an email from Gossip Girl that they loved the collection and couldn’t wait to use a piece on the show!

PLU: I adore the Boxwood floral demi robe and the Petit Mort high-waisted knickers. What would you say are your top three favorite pieces from your collections?
Arielle: I’m really excited about the pieces that are coming out for SS2011 additions and AW2011—but I can’t tell you about those yet [ed. note: darn!]. Looking back on the first season, that Boxwood Demi Robe is personally what I slip into around the apartment, I think the Boutique Hotel Camisole and Short are really sweet, and I’m really impressed that there are women who are buying the backless Boutique Hotel gown to wear out to events—maybe I should buy stock in NuBra…

Boutique Hotel Chemise (worn by Blair Waldorf on "Gossip Girl")

PLU: I’m so excited to see what you’ll roll out next. What can we expect to see in the near future from ARI DEIN?
Arielle: I’ve been playing around with bralets, knickers and garter belts for SS2011. The palate is really bright and lighthearted. I’m especially excited about the new floral print I’m introducing that I named after my mother, Mona Giardino Rosa. A Spring Preview will go on aridein.com next month.

PLU: What advice would you give to other aspiring designers?
Arielle: Don’t pay attention to what anyone else is designing. Work hard to find inspiration in unexpected places and be the breath of fresh air the buyers are hunting for. Dream REALLY big and work even harder :)

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Thanks Ari!

Follow ARI DEIN on Twitter and Facebook.

Ari Dein on Gossip Girl Tonight!

When I met Arielle Shapiro, the talented young designer behind the up-and-coming label ARI DEIN, at Journelle's Fashion's Night Out event, she told me that her Boutique Hotel Chemise was going to be worn by Blair Waldorf (played by Leighton Meester) on an upcoming episode of Gossip Girl.

Guess what? That episode airs tonight on the CW, 9pm EST. Be on the lookout for this gorgeous piece on the show! Congratulations, Arielle & ARI DEIN!

Hump Day Pick: Petit Mort High-Waisted Knickers by ARI DEIN

I love these high-waisted knickers so much, you knew that I was going to post them again! They look perfect with one of ARI DEIN's camisoles... or just by themselves! The gold buttons on the side ensure that these bottoms are more sexy than granny.

Petit Mort High-Waisted Knickers, $255. Available at AriDein.com.

Fashion's Night Out at Journelle!

I stopped by Journelle on Friday night for Fashion's Night Out and I just have to say, "WOW." I got to see the designs of ARI DEIN, Zinke Intimates, and Brulee Lingerie and their pieces are absolutely stunning in person.

My favorites:
Zinke's Wanderlust Bralet and Panty (top left in amethyst) and Poe Bralet and Panty (bottom left in black)

Brulee's Classic Collection Soft Bra in jersey trimmed in silk satin

and the Boyfriend Nightshirt!

ARI DEIN's luxurious collection had the most intricate detail and I fell in love with the Petit Mort high-waisted knickers with an incredible button down side. At $255 a pop, I guess I'd better somehow become un-single so a special someone can buy them for me! 

I would die for Boxwood Floral Demi Robe too. It has a beautiful print, an adorable hood and I'd just want to lounge around my apartment all weekend in it.

Her Boutique Hotel Chemise in Peacock is going to be worn by Blair on Gossip Girl in an upcoming episode, so be on the lookout for that! 

Seeing her collection in person was very special and lovely to see such a high level of quality from such a young designer. I'm hopefully going to be doing a little interview with her soon as well, I can't wait!