Ode to an eyelash

When Kiss Me Deadly posted this gorgeous photo of Jess in their Gio Peach Stockings and Van Doren Suspender belt, we noticed a few people lusting after our bra and brief that KMD borrowed for this shoot! The black lace and peach mesh makes a perfect match with their stockings and suspender belt, and has previous only been available in our London boutiques.

Until now.

Last week we shot our AW12 lookbook and, as I seem to have the knack of shooting very quickly, we decided to get some shots of eyelash on our model Hannah. 

Eyelash has a similar colour palette to Margot, fitting in perfectly with the rest of our SS12 collection (which will be available in January), which is inspired by Film Noir and vintage glamour. 

The eyelash brief is certainly a little bit naughty.... The light peach colour feigns innocence, while the sheer mesh behind begs for a closer look (however not revealing enough to put Jess off from posing in the middle of the street with a Pussy Wagon...).

Personally, I'm not a girly girl, but the Eyelash set has just enough quirkiness for me to fall in love with it. I'm definitely going to be combining it with a black suspender belt and black Cervin stockings! 

Christmas gift review: One Thousand and One Nights

The Morgana line from Playful Promises Autumn Winter Damascan Dreams collection really does promise one thousand and one nights of boudoir play. A black lacey and racey retro collection, including; underwired bra, brief, thong, suspender belt and garter dress, which I strongly recommend.

Initially I didn't feel the line was as strong as Etti or Jasmine, however the quiet subtlety of the line soon made it's name within magazines, blogs and photo shoots. The Morgana garter dress was an incredibly popular piece to be called in by stylists, often queuing up to borrow it for their shoots.

It wasn't until I got my hands on the Morgana bra did I realise just how wondrous this line was to be. The bra is surprisingly comfortable, I can honestly say I've never had such a comfortable bra. With lace panelled cups and two inch thick elastic, the Morgana bra is a femme fatale bra like no other.

It has a very thin, almost transparent lining between the lacey exterior making it a soft bra to wear. But more than soft-to-touch comfort, the bra offers perfect sleek support which was surprising for such a lacy piece. In particular I like the shallow dip this bra offers, making it a uniquely shaped bra ideal under t-shirts, the LBD or for playful excursions.

The chunky ribbed elastic band, the signature of this line, is really what makes the collection. Such an original trim, comfortable and yet there is something quite racy about this oversized, two inch thick, elastic finish. The attention to detail is sumptuous, this elastic is finished with a small scalloped edge, therefore the elastic isn't cutting into the skin, rolling or other temperamental activity elastic can usually offer.

The brief, also finished with this chunky trim, features a rather saucy triangle cut-out on the back displaying glimpses of unmentionable regions. The lace fabric offers a racy glimpse and the mesh shows off further flesh, making this a real temptress of the night. And I have to say comfortable and sexy to wear, a match made in heaven (or by Playful Promises).

The garter skirt, or suspender belt, is very desirable. Just like the brief, the back of the garter skirt is as detailed as the front. The chunky elastic is crossed over on the back cropping the skirt high showing off your peachy cheeks, welcoming glimpses of your best assets. I really like the cut of this retro-inspired garter skirt. It includes adjustable straps for your stockings finished with a rubber tip to grip your nylons.

The jewel of the collection, steaming the mirror in your boudoir, is the Morgana garter dress. A real show stopper, the garter dress could almost be a little black dress. Perhaps a little risqué, it's definetly something to show off. The underwired bra offers support and comfort whilst the dress shapes your curves. Again a criss-cross cut-away effect with the chunky elastic offers promising glimpses of what lies beneath.

The garter dress is a real must-have for fun in the bedroom and ideal to be worn under dresses and more. But I strongly recommend the entire line for everyday-wear, boudoir shenanigans and shaping your curves.

Christmas gift review: I Dream of Genie

When I first delved into Playful Promises Autumn Winter collection, Genie was the line I was most excited about. The delicate lace was what captured my imagination, the sweet bows and the opaque fabric giving glimpses of flesh was ideal.

 

I realised I had to wait a longing four and a half months before I could get my hands on these beauties as they weren't in store yet! Oh the broken heart I experienced!

In these four and a half months I tactically planned which Genie set I would get first. It would have been pure gluttony to have strolled into our boutique and demanded all three colours with both bra styles. No I had to be cunning and patient.

I decided the mauve Genie was my ultimate favourite, a stunning colour, perfect for the Autumn season. I would get the mauve brief and underwired bra first, and then gradually build up the collection, investing in the black Genie and then the nude.

Luck fell upon me; I was offered the mauve Genie underwired bra two months in advance of it being in store! It was just a sample, slightly washed out, but perfect. I wore this every day at the Playful Promises trade-shows. It was noticed by several buyers and perhaps even sealed the deal on some occasions.

Finally August was upon us and the Autumn Winter collection was imminent.

I skipped down to the Playful Promises boutique and the green eyed monster took over me an I purchased the Black and Nude Genie in the same transaction! I chose the black underwire bra and matching brief, and the nude triangle bra and matching brief.

Damn – I forgot the mauve brief!

 

The underwire genie bra is one of the most comfortable bra's I've ever worn. I can never feel it's there, it can almost be unnerving to stop and wonder whether in my haste each morning I actually bothered with the bra.

But it's there. The ruched  bra straps are actually very subtle under clothes and  offer a cheeky glimpse of what lies beneath.

The underwires fit perfectly, a really comfortable cup, that clearly I can't feel. I personally don't require much support, however after adjusting the straps I feel I am sturdily strapped in and that the bra provides as much support as a lacey bra can offer.

The brief is stunning. I love the gathered detail on the back, it's very subtle but really finishes the brief. The back is a comfortable satin and the front is the matching lace to the bra and soft-cup bra. The brief is cut a little risque, not quite Brazilian, however I feel the cut is flattering on my shape. The black and nude brief could be matched to so many more lingerie sets, classic pieces and must-haves in your lingerie drawer.

The triangle bra is perfect for bumming around the house. Very saucy, again this soft-cup bra is comfortable and fits like a glove and cheekily offers glimpses of what lies beneath.

This classic collection of lacy bras, soft-cup bras and briefs is ideal for anyone in need of a new bra and brief set. Comfortable and well-fitted this set will take you from day wear, sitting at your desk in the office, to official events giving you confidence in how you look all the way to after work dates – the cheeky inviting lace promising fun in the boudoir with your chosen mate.

The Origin of Lingerie

From the beautiful Etti sets, to the saucy Morgana collection. Playful Promises autumn/winter lingerie is the epitome of modern lingerie, but just how did the wonderful world of lingerie come about?

There is no exact date as to when the fashion of wearing lingerie came about, but the first sources of evidence point towards Ancient Egypt, almost 3000 years BC. For such a hot country clothing was not a necessity or a commodity.

Items of clothing were status symbols, something only the wealthy members of society would wear. Very often people would be happy to be naked or to wear a loin cloth and no more. Terra-cotta pots illustrate the fashions of the period giving us an insight into lingerie and more.

The first example of undergarments was worn by Egyptian women, of high-ranks. This would have been a long tunic woven from fine cottons and linens. The tunic would have started around the chest and flowed down to the ankles. It would have been tied around the body and shoulders using straps and was even sometimes used to mould the waist creating hour-glass figures.

From the dawn of lingerie, garments were worn to suppress or accentuate curves, the modern day bra was established as far back as 3000BC. When Egyptians were wearing tunics, Babylonian women were wearing what could be described as briefs and bras.  Most likely derived from the loin cloth and from suppressing women's breasts by wrapping cloth around the chest, this is the earliest evidence of lingerie.

And Cretan women were wearing hip corsets pushing their breasts upwards and outwards around 3000BC. This is surprising to know that the corset was in fact first worn on women, as many people believe men were first to wear the corset, and over 5000 years ago making this a very old fashion trend.

 

From these early depictions of wearing lingerie there was not much progression in what women wore. The 1500's saw the popularity in the corset increase, and from this period it became an integral piece of lingerie in everyday attire.

Today we still enjoy wearing corsets, some women still use corsets to shape their figure, but mostly corsets are a fun piece of outwear for a little boudoir fun. Playful Promises make their corsets and waspies from steel boning ensuring a rigid and tight shape is sculpted for maximum ooh-la-la.

Various bodices, bras and briefs were fashioned to wear underneath the corset, helping push-up busts, mould waist-lines and more.

The real revolution in lingerie happened around the 1920's where women decided to liberate themselves from the repressive corsets opting for girdles or less. This is where the lingerie revolution becomes interesting and where Playful Promises can base their inspiration and continue to create beautiful lines of underwear shaping figures and lifestyles.

Silver Screen Queens

Love them or hate them, the silver screen idols will never cease! Even those long departed from life are revived again and again through the camera lens. Some of them, who have climbed to the highest rung of the celebrity ladder, have become symbols of their generation. What conjures up thoughts of the 1950s more than Marilyn Monroe and her classic bullet bra?

At Playful Promises we adore the glamour of the big screen, and many of our pieces have been inspired by starlets of times gone by! Which got me wondering, if we could transport ourselves into the dressing rooms of these great actresses, which of our items would we cheekily slip in amongst their furs, corsets and negligees?

Don't be mistaken by her beautiful child-like features, Lillian Gish was one of the prominent actresses of the 1910s and 20s, starring in some of the biggest blockbusters of the day! We could easily see her relaxing in our pink Lyla playsuit with contrasting black bows.

One of the world's most popular vamps, Louise Brooks and her bob hairstyle has become iconic of the 1920s. Team our Vintage Stitch Corset with a lacy vintage slip or a fringed skirt for the perfect flapper look.

German born Marlene Dietrich is the ultimate femme fatale. With her striking, chiselled looks and deep exotic voice (surprisingly well recieved during the era of the talkies), she has to be my personal favourite star! We would love to have seen our Ava collection peeking out from underneath those fitted black jackets and suits that Dietrich was famous for.

Listed as one of the Greatest Stars of All Time, Rita Hayworth is yet another glamorous and unprecedented beauty of the silver screen. After posing in just her negligee for Life Magazine, she became one of the top two pin ups of the War years. And this is why we would have to slip her into our Silk Chemise Set in scarlet!

Her unmistakeable features have been painted by Warhol and impersonated by scores of actresses and imitators; Marilyn Monroe needs no introduction. A poster girl for the classic girl-next-door look, Monroe wore bullet bras and girdles underneath her sweater for ultimate curves. What Katie Did's Maitresse Bullet Bra is perfect to replicate this look! 

Effortlessly chic and eternally classic, Elizabeth Taylor rose to stardom in the 1950s and 60s with iconic films such as Cleopatra. A fashion icon of the time, she was often seen wearing a silk scarf and headband. Even in her most revealing of outfits, Elizabeth appeared modest and stunning, which is why we have chosen the Morgana Garter Dress!

Pixie-like Mia Farrow's career has spanned from the 60s to present day, with one of her key roles in Rosemary's Baby in 1968 kicking off her 70s popularity. She exagerrated her delicate looks by wearing mini dresses and peter pan collars, just the kind of style that works perfectly over our Genie nude set!

 Rising to the Hollywood elite ranks in the 1980s and furthering her career during the next few decades, Michelle Pfeiffer is our 80s star. Known for taking on roles against her typical type, she is best remembered for that amazing Catwoman outfit in Batman Returns - single-handedly sexing up the comic franchise. For this, we could think of nothing better than our classic Victoria set!

Demi Moore, one of the highest paid actresses of the 90s, is well known for letting it all hang out! In 1991 she controversially appeared naked on the cover of Vanity Fair, whilst being 7 months pregnant. To get the Demi look, go bra-less! Or if you really can’t take that, then try our Multiway Bra :P

 Classic and glamorous, Cate Blanchett could easily have belonged to a past era. This Australian beauty rose to fame after playing Elizabeth I in the 1998 film Elizabeth, which makes the name of our 'Time for Tea and a Dance' postcard panties seem ideal! We also think the champagne satin and sweetheart lace back would flatter a complexion similar to Cate's.

We watched her grow from know-it-all teen in Harry Potter to a style icon. Trading in her long locks for a Mia Farrow-esque pixie cut catapulted Emma Watson into a media frenzy. Much like Farrow, she mixes cute dresses with other feminine pieces... and lots of lace! We think she would love our Peach Detail Waspie and Silk Corsage bra!

Which Hollywood star would you love to style? And what would you dress her in?