Bits ‘n’ Pieces: Vancouver designer slips into lingerie week

Kaaren Bedi describes her designs — such as this silk charmeuse gown with Chantilly lace, modeled by Ashley Mcphail — as “timeless.”

(Josh Kincaid/Mosca Studio)

Kaaren Bedi describes her designs — such as this silk charmeuse gown with Chantilly lace, modeled by Ashley Mcphail — as “timeless.”

(Josh Kincaid/Mosca Studio)

Kaaren Bedi describes her designs — such as this silk charmeuse gown with Chantilly lace, modeled by Ashley Mcphail — as “timeless.”

(Josh Kincaid/Mosca Studio)

Kaaren Bedi describes her designs — such as this silk charmeuse gown with Chantilly lace, modeled by Ashley Mcphail — as “timeless.”

(Josh Kincaid/Mosca Studio)

Kaaren Bedi’s slips, gowns and chemises are not something you’d find in a Victoria’s Secret.

The Vancouver designer debuted her Layneau Collection in February at Lingerie Fashion Week in New York City.

“It was a profound moment to see a dream come true,” she said.

The industry-exclusive event was a point of validation for Bedi’s couture lingerie line.

“It’s a nuance of vintage, but it’s not anachronistic. There’s a romantic sensibility to it.”

Reviews have compared the collection to a mix of Madame X and “Downton Abbey,” Bedi said.

“I’ve always designed lingerie,” said Bedi, who grew up admiring her dressmaker mother and the luxury fashions of her great-aunt.

During her career, Bedi has worked for costume designers and wedding dress makers. When she couldn’t find a slip long enough for one of her own dresses, she created her own.

“There’s got to be something better, and there wasn’t. I’ve felt that I was always meant to do this.”

Her collection also speaks to a more diverse age group.

“For me, (lingerie) has always been about having a sense of self-respect,” Bedi said. “How I treat myself determines how others will treat me. I respect and value my being. I’m not going to wear holey underwear when no one is looking, I’m going to wear the better stuff when no one is looking.”

“We don’t cater to cookie-cutter women, she’s unabashed about what she wants,” she said. “One of my first sales was to a beautiful woman in (the) Salmon Creek (area).”

An early memory of vintage inspiration for Bedi was downtown Vancouver’s C Store.

“It was an absolute gem of a place that time had forgotten. I remember going to the fabrics, finding the Egyptian cotton organza,” she said. “It was this treasure trove of inspiration.”

Now 21/2 years after starting Layneau, Bedi is aiming to be a global brand. And she’s firmly aimed her business at luxury buyers. Prices range $1,250 for a nightshirt to $2,850 for a full-length gown.

“My pieces are very expensive, and we know that, but I’m unapologetic about it,” she said. “We’re audacious enough to do true couture and true luxury.”

The collection sources its fabric from around the world. It includes custom-woven cloth from England and silk Chantilly lace from France.

A gown may take up to 20 hours of sewing by a highly skilled seamstress, usually trained in Europe’s couture fashion houses. Bedi’s designs come to life thanks to a handful of seamstresses, and her business partners Thomas Mesher and Hina Chaschin.

The next step for Bedi and her company is to finalize relationships with distributors and take her lingerie to the markets of Europe and the Middle East.

“I think it’s a challenge to be an American luxury company in the West Coast,” Bedi said, “but the fact is the pieces speak for themselves. They transcend time to the point that you don’t know when they were made.”

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Bits ‘n’ Pieces appears Fridays and Saturdays. If you have a story you’d like to share, email bits@columbian.com.

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EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS Kim Kardashian models new luxury lingerie line …

The Kardashian empire is expanding south of the equator courtesy of Australian retailer Mary Holland, who has partnered with the fashion fam on a new line of luxury lingerie called Kardashian Intimates. The “Down Underwear” line looks to have been available, at least in part, since just before Valentine’s Day, but Kim and Khloe just announced the launch earlier today on Twitter:

Excited to reveal our luxury lingerie line, Kardashian Intimates, exclusively available at Mary Holland in Australia! http://t.co/FqqShSzwQu

— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) March 19, 2014

Just launched our luxury lingerie line, Kardashian Intimates, at @lovemaryholland!! How sexy are these new pieces? http://t.co/i84R2Vvdyo

— Khloé (@khloekardashian) March 18, 2014

The new line features an assortment of racy, lacy bra and panty sets in a wide range of colors, lace patterns and animal prints. Here is a screen shot of the Mary Holland website with the entire collection and prices — click to enlarge (or click this link to see the collection at MaryHolland.com.au!)

Each of the listings feature multiple views of the items, both on and off a model. Sadly, the Kardashian sisters themselves didn’t model the intimate apparel, but with a little help from Photoshop I was able to remedy that to some degree by playing dress up with Kim Kardashian! (Which I have to confess was WAAAYYYY more fun than I thought it would be! lol)

Up top you can see Kim modeling the Kardashian Intimates Mahalia bustier in brown leopard ($79.95 – Australian dollars I assume) and the match brown leopard Mahalia skirted thong. (Lawd knows we love to see Kim in leopard print! Example 1, Example 2.) Here is how the set is described on the site:

Kardashian Intimates Mahalia bustier in brown leopard – Sexy animal print plunge bra with lace trims, this long line bra has underwires and push up. KK sparkling signature pendant on the front.

Kardashian Intimates Mahalia skirted thong in brown leopard – Sexy animal print skirted thong with lace trims and detachable suspenders. KK sparkling signature pendant on the front.

Here’s Kim modeling a couple more looks, including perhaps the most unnecessary corset in human history. Each photo is followed by a description and price with links to where you can purchase what Kim’s wearing.

Kardashian Intimates Genevieve Bustier Bra – Peacock ($79.95 AU) - Gorgeous long line balconnet bra in allover lace, with satin bind for a bold finish. Lace covered straps are made for show as is the signature KK sparkling pendant detail.

Kardashian Intimates Genevieve Midi Brief – Peacock ($39.95 AU) - Gorgeous mid cut brief in allover luxe lace and satin bind for a bold finish. Signature KK sparkling pendant at centre front.

Kardashian Intimates Marion Lace Corset ($149.95 AU) - Glamorous lace corset with satin bindings and flirty double lace frills at bottom edge. Signature KK sparkling pendant at centre front. Removable suspender straps to allow for corset to be worn as outerwear.

Kardashian Intimates Marion Lace Bikini Brief ($49.95 AU) - Glamorous lace bikini brief with satin bindings and KK sparkling signature pendant at centre front.

* My apologies for Kim’s misshapen right hand, but that was a flaw in the original photo.

And just in case you were curious what the items above actually look like on a person, and not just Photoshopped on, here are three Vegemitey attractive Aussie models (I assume) rockin’ the same looks for Mary Holland:

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