Just as I believe high-fashion clothes look best when displayed on skinny-minny living mannequin models, lingerie looks best when hugging the curves of gals with boobs and bums, both of which were on display at the French lingerie showcase thrown this week within the hip, cavernous walls of Artscape's Wychwood Barns. What once housed streetcars in need of repair held for a night strutting femmes fatales in lingerie.And what lingerie! The jiggling, stretchmarks, cellulite, and sexy smiles on display may've been a refreshing break from the usual stern robogirls popular these days on the high-fashion catwalk, but the lingerie--and remarkable styling of the girls--was a treat to observe as well.
The lines represented at the show included all my favourite French brands, including Lejaby, Empreinte, Simone Perele, Passionata, and Chantelle underthings, as well as Elixir and Gerbe. The Lejaby girls came out in military hats brandishing riding crops, an aggressive look that went well with the sophisticated sexiness of looks that included a nude-and-black corset that would be a perfect fit with a retro Parisian boudoir setting (and looked amazing on the model, who looked like a thirties movie starlet come to life).
Empreinte sent out its model in naughty-teacher glasses, and showed a lot of black and white pieces, while Simone Perele eschewed simple for a lot of bright colour, pointy silhouettes, and fancy patterns (my favourite was the pale green pieces with lilac grapes sewn on top), as well as styling that included pink feather hats.
Elixir and Passionata were the more simple lines shown (although Passionata won the best garter-belt prize with its sheer mesh fabric belt that looked like a single skimpy black ruffle), which complemented the Gerbe show of bodysuits and avant-garde tights.
Chantelle rounded out the showcase with its trademark elaborate designs, which included a navy and seafoam ombre piece embroidered with subtle sequins.
Gorgeous lingerie, gorgeous girls--not a bad way to spend a Wednesday night.
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