Intimate Interview: VELVETTE UNDERWEAR

Swimwear by Velvette

The debut of her second lingerie collection Stateside, this Parisienne’s collection is carried in Galeries Lafayette and other retailers in Paris. But New Yorkers are sure to love the keenly French details in her pieces, especially the concept of effortless chic. Everything is made in France, to boot.

"In France, I’m a freelance designer for women’s and kidswear, so I work for many brands like Cacharel, Baby Dior, and a lot of brands like this. But I’ve really liked lingerie [for a long time] and I have a lot of vintage pieces and I wanted to make my own brand, so I just began to make what I want to wear and things I don’t find in any shops or so I began like that, because I didn’t find any lingerie for me. And I wanted to make it."

PLU: Are you willing to share any of your favorite places to find vintage lingerie?

"I can, not all. [Laughs] I have one in Barcelona, which is amazing, and it’s really a vintage shop, really amazing. In Paris we have Mamie, with vintage shops and Anouschka. But I also find vintage pieces on the internet, like on eBay or Etsy.

My style is retro, feminine, and raffiné—refined. And I like details, so the lace—I choose all the lace— and the details like the lasercut, and really fragile details."

Velvette was interviewed by Esther Kim at the Lingerie Collective Trade Event in NYC, August 5, 2013.

Back to Black... for Summer!

Hello my lovelies! Did you miss me? I sure missed you. A lot has been going on in my universe the past few months, but hopefully this will be the end of my infrequent posting and we'll return to our semi-regular programming. Alors!

It's been a frigid spring in NYC, sadly. Even as we transition into May it's been long pants and jacket weather. I'm too afraid to venture out in bare legs! But I wonder if this delayed warmth validates my recent accessories splurges for spring/summer: a black bag, a black enamel cuff bracelet (instead of the white I had dreamt of!), black sandals... Or am I finally growing up and realizing that black is and will always be the classic go-to colour? 

Who the hell knows. Either way, the last time I chose to buy black lingerie was probably two or three years ago, so I even surprised myself when I was drawn to this La Perla bra at Journelle. I dropped off a few bras at their bra drive the other month (and picked up a few new ones of course), and this black bra stood out to me in a wall full of other fun-coloured and printed bras. What was happening to me?

Ultimately I think it was the little triangle detail on the straps that did it for me, but then when I tried it on—va-va-voom. I never thought I'd consider a push-up bra again after those torturous flotation devices I experienced from VS, but this one did it nicely. And elegantly. And didn't make me feel like a blow-up. It's become one of my go-to everyday bras... so I can only hope that they don't discontinue this style and keep it going in the future.

Damnit, I knew I should've bought some matching bottoms too.

La Perla Studio Madison Push-Up Bra, $108. La Perla Studio Madison Soiree Short, $68. Available at journelle.com.

Baby, It's Cold Outside.

There's a blizzard underway in NYC (which I'm hoping doesn't get as bad as everyone's predicting, knock on wood) but I've got my lingerie to keep me warm. Especially this new "Chelsea" set from new luxury-lingerie line Ampere. Co-founder Jiabei Chen invited a few lucky ladies to an afternoon tea last weekend to preview the debut pieces from Ampere and for us to treat ourselves to a pretty pre-Valentine's Day something.

As I noted on Facebook the other day, even though the debut pieces from Ampere are limited to three styles (two bra/thong sets & a beautiful silk romper), the designs are so obviously tailored to the modern Manhattan power woman. With style names like "Chelsea", "Madison", and "Gramercy", the debut collection solidifies the brand's connection to New York City, but when you further examine the pieces, you understand the women who also inspires Ampere. She's the next generation of power women—beautiful, ambitious, incredibly smart, but still appreciates the small boost of je ne sais quoi that fine lingerie can inject into her everyday attitude—much like the ladies I met at the afternoon tea event.

I'll follow up with another post about sizing. I'm currently breaking in my new bra so I'll have more updates on sizing tips after that!

And if you're in the path of Blizzard Nemo... stay warm, stay safe!

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

Guest Blogger: Lingerie + Art = Love

Last weekend, my coworker and friend Marli Marinelli asked if I wanted to come with her to a lingerie art exhibit. A lingerie art exhibit! How could I turn that down? Oh right, I had a wedding doubleheader that weekend and had to start my travel that Thursday of the exhibit. Luckily, Marli was thrilled to write a post for PLU. Enjoy!

Let’s just get my lingerie confession out of the way now: on a typical day, I reach for Gap Body. Plain cotton, no adornment, no wedgies, no frills. But for the bright and shiny moments of life, I crave lingerie. The kind that looks like art. And in its most elevated form, lingerie should make your body look like art.

And on the topic of lingerie and art, I went to an exhibition last week that captured how just a few wisps of artfully arranged silk, lace, and gossamer can transform the body. My friend and talented photographer Amber Rima collaborated with stylist Britta Uschkamp and actor/playwright Lauren LoGiudice to create an intimate portrait series inspired by Greta Garbo. The photographs explore the “dark and the light of stardom through the lens of Garbo’s story. In this ambiance of glamour, solitude and privacy, they explore how the icon felt in her most intimate settings.”

I loved how the photography looked at once old world and strikingly modern. Austere yet ornate. Rippling with sensuality and ripe with the unspoken. They looked like frames from a story. And what I loved was not just the presentation of lingerie but the presentation otf the portraits, hanging from clothes rails at Prohibit NYC, the wires teasingly decorated with black satin ribbons. It’s the smallest touches that carry the most weight—and isn’t that the very spirit of lingerie?

Greta Dreams at Prohibit NYC, 152 Allen Street, NYC

First and second photos courtesy of Lena Scherer, ©2012.

NYC Sample Sale: Eberjey!

Hey you guys! One of Pretty Little Underthings' favorite brands, Eberjey, is having a sample sale in NYC next week! Camis, babydolls, pajamas, undies and swimwear will be 50-70% off. If you're in the area, be sure to stop by on Thursday December 8th & Friday December 9th and pick up some holiday gifts for your loved ones (or yourself!).

I'll actually be going this year and will be there on Wednesday morning to check out the stock, so stay tuned! I'll let ya know what you can expect. xoxo.

Eberjey Sample Sale
Thursday December 8th, 9am - 7pm
Friday December 9th, 9am - 4pm
40 East 34th St, Suite 1215
(between Park & Madison)

Sample Sale Time!

Lesson learned: don't plan a vacation for this particular week, because I'm missing out on yet another Eberjey sample sale as well as an event hosted by The Lingerie Goddess! But if you're in the NYC area Thursday May 19th & Friday May 20th, definitely check this out — and let me know if you find any cute swimsuits to wear Memorial Day Weekend!

Eberjey Sample Sale
40 East 34th Street, Suite 1215
(Between Park and Madison Aves)
+ view map
Thursday May 19, 9AM to 7PM
Friday May 20, 9AM to 4PM

Eberjey's NYC Sample Sale

Pretty Little Underthings favorite Eberjey was smart. Very smart. They scheduled their sample sale for après-Thanksgiving. This week has been a flurry of Araks, La Perla & Hanky Panky's sample sales, but in a few weeks, the attention will be on Eberjey. 

So for you lucky NYC-based readers, you have some time to set aside some funds in case there's something there you might want. The flyer below promises camis, briefs, babydolls, thongs, pajamas and swimwear at 50-70% off, so definitely stop by to see what you can scoop up. If not for yourself, then at least for your loved ones as a gift!

Eberjey Sample Sale
231 West 39th Street, Suite 1102
Thursday 12/2, 8:30am to 7pm
Friday 12/3, 9am to 5pm

Notes from the Hanky Panky Sample Sale

I magically got out of work on time last night to make it to the VIP Hanky Panky sample sale and to meet a friend of mine who just got engaged last month (her ring is gorgeous, btw)! Some notes on what to expect today before you head over:

- coat & bag check is mandatory

- classic bottoms: low-rise, original, petite, bridal are all "to order". each style has color options up on the wall, you tell an associate which colors you'd like, they mark it off on a sheet and you go pick up your order over by checkout. it's actually pretty efficient and with so many colors available for the low-rise style, it's probably the most organized system they could have. think of it as a B&H photo/video experience, but with people, not robots.

- retro thongs are in one box. i saw a couple pink and some chai colored ones, but the box was mostly the bengal print.

- the majority of the bralettes and bottoms are $10 each. there were a couple boxes of purple-ish boyshorts for $3.

- color options for classic bralettes were much more varied in Mediums than x-small and small. didn't see boxes for bralettes in Large.

- lots of camisoles, a rack or two of bodysuits, and boxes upon boxes of boyshorts.

- checkout is pretty speedy. if you get any thongs from the wall, they bring them to you in a paper bag that the cashier opens, you can't. 

- they take all forms of payment (including discover card!), but pay in cash for the quickest checkout.

- there's a table of little gift boxes you can buy to place undies in as presents

If you have friends or family members who LOVE Hanky Panky and are always waiting for it to go on sale, definitely go to this sale and stock up for them as a holiday gift. They'll thank you.

(Thanks to Larissa at Hanky Panky for the VIP sale info!)

Hanky Panky Sample Sale: Lingerie up to 75% off.
260 Fifth Avenue, between West 28th & West 29th Sts
Tuesday 11/16, 8:30am to 8pm
Wednesday 11/17, 8:30am to 8pm
Thursday 11/18, 8:30am to 7pm
Friday 11/19, 9am to 1:30pm
212.725.4996

Hanky Panky VIP Sample Sale Tonight!

Happy monday, lovers! I posted some details last week about the Hanky Panky sample sale that starts tomorrow at 8:30am bright 'n early. Over the weekend, I found out that the VIP sale is today and it'll run from 4pm - 7pm. Head over if you can make it, and see what they'll have this week before anyone else does!

Thanks to Larissa over at Hanky Panky for the details!

Hanky Panky Sample Sale: Lingerie up to 75% off.
260 Fifth Avenue, between West 28th & West 29th Sts
Tuesday 11/16, 8:30am to 8pm
Wednesday 11/17, 8:30am to 8pm
Thursday 11/18, 8:30am to 7pm
Friday 11/19, 9am to 1:30pm
212.725.4996

Notes from the La Perla Sample Sale

yes, that is on sale. a rack full of befeathered bras, bodysuits & panties. so, so many feathers.

Notes from the La Perla sample sale this morning (I got there around 10.30am with a Gilt City early-access ticket).

- sign at 225 5th ave says "pop-up store"
- bag check is mandatory
- about 50 person capacity
- A-cup bras are in the same pile as E-cup, selection isn't great
- all other bra sizes have their own bucket
- la perla basics (white, "nude", black) bras & bottoms are separate from the "fashion" bras & bottoms
- lots of robes, chemises & some swimwear
- hosiery selection is pretty limited, lots of thigh-highs. size variety for white tights but not black
- pricing varies on the line: la perla, black label, glamour, villa toscana bras are $80 each (2 for $140). malizzia, studio, occhi verdi are $50 (2 for $80). chemises, bottoms, bodysuits, robes, etc vary accordingly.
- a few sample shoes are out, some heels & slippers
- a rack or two of mens swim trunks
- lots of floor-length robes & chemises, though sizes are limited on the racks. there are a few employees replenishing as the sale goes on

La Perla Sample Sale: Lingerie, sleepwear, swimwear and ready to wear up to 80% off.

Refinery29.com says: Don't worry if you can't get there early…stock will be replenished throughout the sale.

225 Fifth Avenue, at West 27th St

Sunday 11/14, 12pm to 5pm

Monday 11/15, 9:30am to 6pm

Tuesday 11/16, 9:30am to 6pm

Wednesday 11/17, 9:30am to 6pm

Thursday 11/18, 9:30am to 7pm

212.725.5400

Araks Sample Sale Notes

I miraculously dragged my butt out of bed super early this morning to make it to the Araks sample sale this morning downtown before work. There was no line, but the elevator in the building is broken so you'll have to climb 5 flights of stairs to make it up there.

As far as sample sales go, this was one of the most organized ones I've seen. There are the usual bins stuffed with camis, thongs, and swimwear that you'll need to dig through to find your size. Bras and fancier camis are on a rack and an associate will retrieve a size foe you.

What surprised me the most was how helpful some of the associates were. A lovely Araks employee helped me dig through the swimwear bins to help me find matching bottoms to the adorable floral-print top I clung onto, and she ran back and forth looking for bras that would match the color of the bottoms I found.

Even for us uptown girls, I think its worth a trek to check out. Bras $35-$65, thongs $15, swimwear $20 per piece (read $40 for a set), camis $20-$65, sample bras $15-$25, and there's more!

Araks Sample Sale: Ready to wear, lingerie and swimwear are 60-80% off.

137 Grand Street, between Crosby St & Lafayette St, 5th floor.

Thursday 11/11, 8:30am to 7:30pm

Friday 11/12, 9am to 6:30pm

No phone.

Sample Sales: Araks, Hanky Panky & La Perla [NYC]

It's that glorious time of year again: sample sale time! Araks, Hanky Panky and La Perla will both be having sample sales, so get your game face ready.

I haven't been to an Araks or Hanky Panky sale before, but I did check out the La Perla summer sample sale last year. There weren't any A-cup bras (32/34B was the smallest), and it took a good amount of digging to find anything cute in my size. There were plenty of bottoms though, and in retrospect I wish I had invested in more bottoms at that sale. I did get there about an hour before it was scheduled to open and was still 25th in line, and my friends and I waited about an additional 45 minutes to an hour before we were allowed in. Luckily this one also starts on a Sunday, so for all you working ladies, get up early, check it out with your girlfriends (or your boyfriend!) then head over to brunch with some mimosas to celebrate your coup d'thongs!

Araks Sample Sale: Ready to wear, lingerie and swimwear are 60-80% off.
Refinery29.com says: lingerie up to 80% off, organic cotton lingerie (bras, panties, tanks, camis, teddies) up to 60% off.
137 Grand Street, between Crosby St & Lafayette St, 5th floor.
Thursday 11/11, 8:30am to 7:30pm
Friday 11/12, 9am to 6:30pm
No phone.

La Perla Sample Sale: Lingerie, sleepwear, swimwear and ready to wear up to 80% off.

Refinery29.com says: Don't worry if you can't get there early…stock will be replenished throughout the sale.

225 Fifth Avenue, at West 27th St

Sunday 11/14, 12pm to 5pm

Monday 11/15, 9:30am to 6pm

Tuesday 11/16, 9:30am to 6pm

Wednesday 11/17, 9:30am to 6pm

Thursday 11/18, 9:30am to 7pm

212.725.5400

Hanky Panky Sample Sale: Lingerie up to 75% off.
260 Fifth Avenue, between West 28th & West 29th Sts
Tuesday 11/16, 8:30am to 8pm
Wednesday 11/17, 8:30am to 8pm
Thursday 11/18, 8:30am to 7pm
Friday 11/19, 9am to 1:30pm
212.725.4996