Confessions of a Lingerie Newbie at Fashion Week

I am new to the lingerie industry.

Well, not completely. I think I was about 11 or 12 when I bought my first bra, and frankly I don't remember what it looked or felt like. I do remember that I was so excited! I felt like a grown woman. Through the years I'd go back to the The Big Pink with my cousin and Aunt, picking through pretty patterns and various "fits". My only realy issue ever trying on lingerie when I was young was with the chemicals that they would spray on the bras. My skin is
extremely sensitive and I'd come out of the dressing room with tomato-colored skin that itched and burned. But I never thought twice about the quality. Not until I was older.

About 5 years ago, my body hit woman-hood. BAM!! Boobs, hips, thighs appeared to tell me that I was ready to bear children. I'd had the hips and thighs pretty much since I was 13, but the chest area...I was not prepared. And my girls kept growing. I was a 34B for most of my life, and now, at 30, I'm at a 36D. Maybe even a double D. Girlfriends say that I'm lucky, that I should embrace my feminine curves on the upper half, but I digress - that is another post for another time. I had to go out and find bras that were not only comfortable but pretty. And the bigger I got, the cute and pretty bras seemed to disappear. My options in "old lady colors and patterns" grew, which was not exciting. I have begun to dread lingerie shopping. Pretty, fun, bright patterns turned into monotone colors of which I have 3 options - beige, white, and black. COME ON!! And let's not even talk about how little help I could get from certain salespeople to get properly measured or help in finding undergarmets that my 80 something passed on grandmother wouldn't even find appealing.

(Gem, Evie {center} & Eve at the Curve Party located at Blush during Fashion Week in Las Vegas)

So when Eve mentioned she was going to Las Vegas for Fashion Week to check out lingerie, I jumped at the chance but with some hesitation. Again, lingerie made me nervous for fear of finding things that wouldn't make me feel pretty or sexy or good about my body. The garmets I found were purely functional, and I'm more than just T&A, thank you very much! So with my notebook and camera in hand, I became an Apple. Enthralled with the choices, the quality, the patterns and options available to those of us with girls and junk in the trunk. Lingerie being worn as t-shirts under a jacket, night gowns that you could stay in all day that made you feel like a sexy 50's movie star, bras that were beautiful and functional, and best of all, (some of) the prices weren't horrifying. At the end of the trip, I vowed to never buy from The Big Pink again (except for when they have their awesome sales on under-roos).

This is the start of my adventure, dear Lingeristas. My adventure in what lingerie SHOULD be - how it should feel, look, and best of all, how it should make you feel about yourself. For those of us who are larger on the upper half, it can be difficult, but I promise that there are bountiful options to make you Celebrate Your Inner Eve every single day!

~ Evie

Boutique of the Month: February ~ East 13



Filled with an impressive selection of beautiful, high quality lingerie, East 13 has two boutiques in California. Upon walking in, you'll find your staple lingerie of Huit, Aubade, Elle MacPherson and Freya, but also upon a closer look you'll see Blush, Panache, Nina Ricci, John Galliano, Valery and the incredibly sexy Vagine Pouvoir.


Whether you visit the store in Pasadena or Irvine, you're bound to be delighted by the choices. And as an added bonus, East 13 has a large selection of their stock on sale for OVER HALF OFF! The best approach, if you don't live near a boutique, is to go online and check, while there are still items in stock.

If you visit their store online, there are some highlights. One of my favorites is the Bra 101 Tips. Now, if you're of the male persuasion, but have a Lingerista near and dear to you, you can click on East 13's Tips for Men to help you pick out something that she'll love. All you do is click a few online questionnaire boxes and the computer finds you lingerie that she might enjoy. It's that painless. Although, if you go into the store in person, you can have a complimentary glass of champagne.

Some of the sumptuous lingerie from the brands I mentioned above are as follows:


The Valery Cloudine Plunge Bra and Thongskirt (image above) both are on sale. The bra retails for $35 and is on sale for $15 while the thongskirt retails for $79.00 and is on sale for $30.


The Chinese Garden Underwire Bra and Thong by John Galliano (image above) retails for $380 (bra) with a sale price of $210 and the thong retails for $115 with a sale price of $48.75.

Online or in person, Celebrate Your Inner Eve with East 13!


EAST 13

95 Fortune Drive, Suite 606, Irvine, California 92618 * Phone 949.727.1743356
E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, California 91101 * Phone 626.795.9386


2 Days Left on Panty Gram Contest



There is still time to enter and win the last panty gram at Eve's Apples! The contest ends on March 1, 2009. To enter, click on Panty Gram Contest.

Bonne Chance, Lingeristas!

Hanky Panky Lowers Prices

Today, in respect of the economy and to bring Lingeristas "The Original" Hanky Panky panty, Hanky Panky is lowering the price of its $30-34 boyshorts to $29. Here's to Hanky Panky for being mindful of our pocketbooks!


Don't be fooled by imitations or knock offs of the Hanky Panky brand. Hanky Panky is "The Original" and has gone extra lengths to ensure comfort and coquettish designs, including their boyshorts.

Thanks to Hanky Panky for helping Lingeristas Celebrate Their Inner Eves!

Oscar Gowns & Lingerie

It was a night of entertainment where actresses came out, showing the true meaning of Hollywood Glamour. Here are some of the gown highlights and how you can get their flawless looks with your lingerie:


Kate Winslet, nominated for two academy awards and winner of Best Actress for "The Reader," arrived in a grey silk and black lace one shoulder dress. Equally stunning but at the other end of the spectrum, Heidi Klum arrived in a red origami dress that took one half an hour to get into. If you go classic glamour, like Kate, or cutting edge, like Heidi, you can get away with it by wearing Fashion Forms Nu-Bra Ultra Lite (image below) for $34. Nu-Bra is back less, so you can wear a backless gown or one with unusual angles that may reveal a typical strapless or convertible bra.


Penelope Cruz, winner of best supporting actress for Vicki Cristina Barcelona is stunning in her vintage gown by wearing a strapless bra, much like the Wacoal "Custom Contours Strapless Bra" below for $50. I tend to recommend the Wacoal brand because they're known for quality and fit.


Or you can be like Melissa George of Grey's Anatomy by not wearing any additional bra support. She gets away with it by wearing her lingerie on the outside. With ample support, Melissa looks beautiful with the corset built into her mermaid dress, complete with lacing up the back.


These actresses clearly know how to Celebrate Their Inner Eves! We hope that Oscar night was good to all of them! xo

Leçons de Séduction No. 14

Lessons of Seducation No. 14:


Fashion Week: Have Intimates, Will Travel Video

Recently, Eve visited Emily Lau of The Little Bra Company and found out what special intimates Emily is taking to Fashion Week in New York.

To see what fabulous intimates and clothes Emily is packing for the big trip, show, and events afterwards, click on Have Intimates, Will Travel Video below.

HAVE INTIMATES, WILL TRAVEL VIDEO ~ By Eve's Apples Lingerie Blog

Huge sale

Up to 50% off on selected products
Lasts till 28 Feb 2009

Fashion Week Highlights

We had fun celebrating our inner Eves this week pouring over the latest lingerie at Fashion Week. It's been lingerie Heaven. The main upcoming lingerie trend for fall is focused on color. There'll be a lot of rich berry, wine and plum colors in that look classy, beautiful, and warm next to the skin.

Stay tuned, over the next couple of weeks, I'll be adding videos and posts about the latest upcoming lines for spring and fall.

Some of the highlights to look forward to are:
  • Fifi Chachnil
  • Chantelle
  • Lejaby
  • Betsey Johnson
  • onGossamer
  • Hanky Panky and many others!

Fifi Chachnil (above image) doesn't disappoint with her fun, flirty line that you can wear as inner and outer wear.

XOXO,

Eve

Big breast problem?

An estimate shows that 80% of all women do not get their bra size right. Why ? The answer is simple - most women gain and lose weight. Some gain and lose weight seasonally. Women go through hormonal changes. Our breasts change. Our breasts need to be fitted for a bra. Wearing the right bra adds comfort and is a boost to your confidence. A well-fitting bra allows you to approach the day feeling comfortable and feminine.


To determine if you have the correct bra size, you must understand how a bra works. The support comes from the straps over your shoulders, right? No! This is the biggest mistake women make. The support should come from the band running around the bottom of the bra and across your body. Your bra is designed to provide 80% of the needed support from this horizontal band with the straps taking up the rest of the weight. When buying bra for bigger breast look if the band is wide enough, and the same is about straps.

Usually women with larger cup sizes tend to wear brassieres that are not large enough. For large size women, the correct size bra can do wonders. They will prevent pain and keep you from damaging your breast tissue. The cost of a good fit bra is your health. Do not worry about the cost. A wrong fit bra will cost more in doctor bills. Do not worry about your size. It is just a letter and a number. You will look so much better in your clothing with the proper bra sizing. Just be proud of who you are.



Gaia Sonia 158 Bra

Hello Fashion Week!


This week Eve and her apples are traveling to Las Vegas for Fashion Week at the Curve Expo. We'll be bringing you the latest and exciting lingerie from brands such as...
  • Lejaby
  • Fifi Chachnil
  • Chantelle
  • Blush
  • Natori
  • Christine Vancouver and more

Stay tuned with Eve's Apples this week to see our exciting posts, images and videos.

In the meantime, here is another Fashion Week: Video Retrospective ~ Part 4 (Blush, 2007) to get you in the mood for Fashion Week.

BLUSH ~ SINGAPORE, 2007 VIDEO:




For more Fashion Week: Video Retrospective, click on Part 1, 2 or 3. Have fun this week, Lingeristas, Celebrating Your Inner Eves!

Leçons de Séduction No. 13

Lessons of Seduction No. 13:


Happy Valentine's Day


Happy Valentine's Day, my dear Lingeristas!

Do you remember the book about love letters that Carrie Bradshaw was reading next to Big in bed during Sex & The City: The Movie? If don't, the book is called Love Letters from Great Men and Women from the 18th Century to the Present. Below is an excerpt from a love letter written by Ludwig Van Beethovan to his beloved from the book:


For the complete love letter by Beethovan, click on Beethovan's love letter. To find out more about Valentine's Day, click on Eve's Apples: The History of Valentine's Day.

Single, married, together, separate, I wish all of your a wonderful Valentine's day filled with love, joy and Celebrating Your Inner Eves!


Eve's Favorite Valentine Gifts

I have so many favorites that it's hard to narrow them down to just a few gift ideas. But here are my pinnacle favorites for this Valentine's Day!

Lingerie to Celebrate Your Inner Eve:

Silky & Sexy: Fleur T Powder Puff Shortie
U.K. designer Fleur T is all about girly, feminine and flirty styles! Utterly feminine, this shortie shape is one of Fleur T's favorites. The front panel of the shortie is satin silk, lined with ribbon trim. The rest of the panty is a soft silk georgette, which is slightly gathered down the front panel. The back has an exceptionally cute rouching detail which creates a fabulously flattering shape! It retails for $120. To purchase it, click on Powder Puff Shortie at Faire Frou Frou.



Comfy & Coquettish: Undreset ~ Marissa Bralette & Panty (image below)
To get this darling and cozy bralette ($34.20) and girl short ($28.20) set, click on Marissa bralette & Panty at Faire Frou Frou.




A new twist on a bouquet of roses: A bouquet of Hanky Panky Panties (image below)

Long known for being the most comfortable thongs around, Hanky Panky's Long Stem Lovin’ Low Rise Thong Bouquets retail for $130 (1/2 dozen) & $250 (dozen). To purchase them, click on BareNecessities' bouquet of panties.



For Your Boudoir:

Love Letters of Great Men and Women From the 18th Century to the Present
A great gift for anyone who loves romance and reading. Make her a candle lit bath and read from the book, it's sure to spark the heart of any romantic. For $25.24, you can purchase it at Amazon by clicking on Love Letters.


Aroma Naturals Candle:
Ylang Ylang & Jasmine Color - Light Pink The powerful aroma of luxurious Jasmine combined with euphoric Ylang Ylang are blended to enhance a romantic atmosphere. Each pillar is labeled with a PET recyclable wrap label printed with soy inks. Retails for $10.13. To purchase, click on Aroma Naturals Classic.



Truth or Dare: A Game of Passion
For $16.95, you can add some excitement back into your love life. To purchase, click on Truth or Dare.



Lingerista Lifestyle:

Daddy's Favorite: The Darling Wrap
Just in time for Valentine's Day, this rich velour wrap is soft, supple and is adjustable to your body type. A lot of thought went into ensuring that this wrap is not only comfortable but also stylish, fitting your body perfectly. It retails for $65. To purchase it, click on The Darling Wrap.



Single Chocolate Body Paint:
Instead of buying her chocolate, why not create a masterpiece with chocolate. For those who have been tempted by their creative side, indulge your artistic muse with this decadently rich body paint.It retails for $11.99. To purchase click on Kama Sutra Chocolate Body Paint.



To all of you, my dear Lingeristas, go have fun and enjoy yourselves on Valentines Day. And remember, you don't need Valentine's Day to Celebrate Your Inner Eve!


Bride Wars Premiere Lingerie



Anne Hathaway showed up to the Bride Wars premiere looking stylish and sassy, showing a peek-a-boo corset beneath her tailored jacket. To get this fashionable look, the corset has structed boning and underwire, minimizing the fit and accentuating her already amazing figure.

TO GET ANNE'S PREMIERE LOOK:
  1. Find a tailored blazer that plunges in the front, allowing for lingerie to subtly be exposed
  2. Find the right corset for your body type. Many come with boning, which creates a sturdy, constructed cut on your silhouette. Due to comfort, some women prefer materials in spandex to a stronger material with traditional boning. Unfortunately, I've yet to see a spandex corset that can pull of Anne's fabulous look. Corsets in finer material like silk, satin and velvet are recommended as outer wear
  3. Walk with confidence
  4. Smile


What Katie Did Dolly Black Raw Silk Corset, found at Mio Destino, is similar to the corset worn by Anne at her Bride Wars premiere. For $217, the silk corset can be yours.

In whatever lingerie you wear while attending a movie premiere or Friday night evening out, enjoy yourself, walk with confidence and smile. It's the best way to Celebrate your inner Eve!

Click on the Bride Wars Premiere below to see how Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson exercised their inner bridezillas.




Leçons de Séduction No. 12

Lessons of Seduction No. 12:


Eve of the Month: Kate Hudson


Congratulations to Kate Hudson, our first ever Eve's Apples' "Eve of the Month!"

We wanted to embrace a woman who embodies what it means to "Celebrate Your Inner Eve" -- to embrace all aspects of being a woman, the sweet, the smart, the sassy, the savvy, and the seductive, with confidence!

In her interview with Bazaar Magazine in Kate Hudson's Private Life, Kate says, "I'm totally obsessed with lingerie. How often I wear it is not often enough," she comments in droll singleton mode, holding up a dusky brown corset with feather-trimmed cups. "We like La Perla," she notes approvingly. "They make great things for small-breasted women." Kate drums her fingers on a box containing the backless-gown wearer's friend the NuBra. "My new favorite thing. It literally snaps on to your boobs."

The lingerie obsession may seem a touch ironic for a girl who cuts a tomboyish swagger in her physical confidence and gutsy personality, but as Kate explains, her style is unwavering femme. "I have the same closet I did when I was a little girl," she says, laughing. If there's a secret to her look, it is maintaining a steely resistance to trends. Her current no-no? Tapered jeans. "Much as I like the way they look on women with long legs, my body does not look appropriate in tapered jeans. I have a long torso."
For the full article, click on Kate Hudson's Private Life.


How does Kate Celebrate Her Inner Eve?

She accepts herself as she is, knows what lines and designs work with her body type and isn't afraid to show off her body. What's more admirable is that she hasn't succumbed to Hollywood's pressure to have plastic surgery.
Here at Eve's Apples we think she looks gorgeous just as she is!
To see Kate in a lingerie video shoot, click on the video below.

KATE HUDSON LINGERIE SHOOT, FEB. 2008 VIDEO:






Here is to Kate Hudson, our first Eve's Apples' Eve of the Month!

Lingerie...Simple or Sexy



On January 25th, The LA Times posted the article entitled, Lingerie Trends in Bad Times: Simple or Sexy, by Susan Carpenter, who explores lingerie trends and purchases in this economic climate.


Carpenter declares, "Two types of buyers are lifting the strapped market during the economic downturn."



"Sugar and spice -- or everything nice? It's opposites that are propelling the lingerie market as the U.S. economy unravels and more Americans stay home. Whether it's blasé basics or come-hither costumes, nesting is giving rise to dueling trends in the lace-trimmed world of intimate apparel. Comfort is paralleling escapism.'It's almost like the good girl and the bad girl,' said Rita Nakouzi, North American director of the fashion forecasting agency, Promostyl. 'People are definitely [staying home] more, and what's interesting is that it plays out in two ways. On the one hand, it's about wanting things that are more second skin that make you feel cocooned. On the other, it becomes a little bit more naughty and about fantasy.'

Like so many other aspects of the American experience these days, today's lingerie climate is taking at least some of its cues from the Depression. Back then, 'If women had any money at all to spend on clothes, it was something to help the clothes look good on them,' said Jane Farrell-Beck, author of the book Uplift: The Bra in America. So, foundations, as they called them -- brassieres and girdles -- 'those were the thing,' she said.That trend toward sturdy foundations is mirrored in today's fragile economic climate. Women still need something to cover their backsides and to keep the girls in place. 'If you can't go out and buy a whole new wardrobe, you can at least have a good bra that makes you look good in the clothes you already have. A little treat in lingerie is less expensive than going out and buying a new outfit,' said Jen Abercrombie, owner of the Panty Raid boutique in Silver Lake.

'People aren't taking as many chances,' she added. They're sticking to the basics, and they want the ones that work...."

For the complete article, click on Lingerie Trends: Simple or Sexy.

Even in these economic times, is it too much to ask for to be simply sexy?

PANTY GRAM CONTEST

Win our Eve's Apples' Panty Gram Contest, sponsored by SendaPantyGram.com!


ENTER TO WIN!

What is the best way to celebrate Valentine's Day near or far? Send a Panty Gram!

At Eve's Apples during February, FIVE LUCKY WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN TO SEND A PANTY GRAM TO THEIR LOVED ONES! Panty Grams, including a heart-shaped panty and your own personal message sent to your lover, spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend, retails for $24.95.

About Panty Grams...

Step 1:
Create Your Own Personal Message to Send

Step 2:
Your loved one will receive a heart-shaped panty surprise in the mail

Step 3:
Your loved one retrieves your personal, intimate online message

Step 4:
Make it a Valentine's Day to remember


To Enter: Tell Eve's Apples why Panty Grams are the best way to Celebrate Your Inner Eve this Valentine's Day! Leave your comment after this post. The best comment wins!

Prize: ONE PANTY GRAM PER WINNER. FIVE WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN IN FEBRUARY.

Deadline: Winners will be chosen each week and a few the week of Valentine's Day! Enter as many times as you wish! Bonne Chance, dear Lingeristas!

Important: Please be sure that we can either link back to you or that you send Eve's Apples your e-mail address (we don't sell it or pass it along). We notify the winner directly.Also, please note that this contest is for the panty only and excludes the additional lingerie in the image above.

PRICELESS "POSIE" PANTY CONTEST WINNER!



My dear Lingeristas, please check your emails to see if you are the recent winner of our exquisite Eve's Apples January Priceless "Posie" Panty Contest!

Thank you to all of our readers who submitted comments!

It was delightful reading your poems, insights, and pleas for your spouse, mate or daughter. I especially appreciated how the panties reminded Jcpawlick of better economic times backed by gold. Tracy commented about how wearing these panties are ironic since Alice in Wonderland's Chapter 1 is entitled, "Down the Rabbit-Hole," Christina could see them in "Moulin Rouge," and Hickcrazy1 would wear a note in case she was in a car accident so that the paramedics would NOT cut them off.

Inspired by all of your comments, I'm leaving you with this:

"Down the Rabbit-Hole," Alice cried with glee!
In her pink ruffled panties, she said, "I just want to Celebrate My Inner Eve.
I can be big or small, have tea or tarts,
all the time sweet or inflamed like the Queen of Hearts."

If you enjoyed this contest, check back with Eve's Apples for our February contest. FIVE LUCKY READERS WILL WIN PANTY GRAMS!



Fashion Week: Video Retrospective ~ Part 3

To give my dear readers a flavor of world wide fashion shows, outside of the ones in Europe and the U.S., I'm highlighting Cape Town and Suisse shows in our third runway video retrospective, leading us to Fashion Week.

Enjoy!

Cosmo Lingerie Show ~ Cape Town Fashion Week 2007:





Catrinel Menghia - 3 Suisses Runway Video:



Leçons de Séduction No. 11

Lessons of Seduction No. 11: