Lucile of London: Naughty Lingerie from a Nice British Girl

The Lucile of London Story:  ”Lingerie from a Nice British Girl”

By Pikke Allen

MODE CITY:  Lingerie Show – Paris Summer 2013 Collections

The first thing you’ll notice about this lingerie, is that the silk, ribbons, lace and sheer elegance of each piece are simply mouth watering. The sensuous experience of this lingerie just in the “looking” is so lovely that one can only imagine what the “wearing” will feel like. But there’s more to this lingerie than just another pretty face. The “House of Lucille” was created by an extraordinary women, who, at the turn of the century, revolutionized women’s wear and championed a woman’s boudoir and its hidden “secrets”  as something to celebrate.

Imagine if you will, in 1890, only theatrical performers and courtesans were allowed to be sexy and feminine.  Their job was to drive men wild with desire or entertain, be extraordinary beauties or witty and intelligent; their counterparts in a typical 19th century home, were supposed to be chaste, god-fearing and soft-spoken. This extraordinary paradox between the women’s roles in private or public life, were further amplified by their choices in lingerie. Enter the infamous “Lucile”  or “Lady Duff Gordan” who realized that a women simply had to have more.  She was an independent woman herself and so decided she was going to create evening wear and lingerie to meet this need. The result was one of the most successful early 20th century “fashion” brands that became an empire.  Now, for today’s woman, her great granddaughter Camilla Blois, has revived the family brand and breathed new life into the “House of Lucile”.      

With a creative vision that reaches back into the family archives, the new “Lucile” collection, just a few years young, is a boutique luxury brand that has everyone talking in the lingerie industry.  All of the pieces are hand-made in England, and express that lovely combination of “naughty and nice” that is so appealing. Luxury, also describes this lingerie and the price point is comparable to an Italian or French higher end brand.  With gorgeous “boudoir” robes that have wide “Geisha” style sashes or little “knickers” *(underwear or briefs) with rear positioned “bows” that tie in the back or sides and a variety of lace and satin “balconette” bras. All of the collection can be perfect for weddings trousseaus, or just for your inner “Courtesan” that is waiting to emerge.   

The most intriguing aspect of the collection is that each of the pieces  have stories attached.  The history of many of the “HOUSE OF LUCILE’s” creations are connected to famous and scandelous personages who were often featured in the press.  But, this didn’t bother Lady Duff, she simply gave the ladies what they wanted (and what their lovers demanded). Great  actresses, courtesans, queens and reigning beauties of the early 20th century all wore her collections both for evening wear and for their private lives.  Now, you can experience the red lingerie trimmed in black lace favored by the “Queen of Spain” or the gold and black collections named for the “Duchess of Warwick”. The pale rose color, inspired by the early 20th century beauty, “Elinor Glynn” was created especially to enhance her skin color in “The Shortness of Time” collection. Camilla has captured the poetry and the “just a bit naughty” nature of the English Boudoir in these lovely collections.

So, why not create your own unique story or scandalous affair and celebrate the lives of these extraordinary women who knew they could change their destiny, with just a “touch” of lace at the right moment? 

For more information on the Lucile collection, please see the website at: www.lucileandco.com.  

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The 40-year lingerie cycle

LADIES’ lingerie styles follow a 40-year cycle, a saucy new study has
revealed.

Vintage bedroom looks last fashionable in the 1970s are back in style, while
unflattering G-strings and bulky padded bras have been pushed to the back of
girls’ knicker drawers.

Experts claim outwear clothing takes 50 years for a once fashionable look to
be back in style.

The theory, known as Lavers Law, was developed in 1937 by fashion historian
James Laver.

But new research by bra firm Ultimo found undies trends move ten years faster
that other clothing styles as girls seek out new ways to look sexy and keep
their partners interested.

Comeback lingerie styles include padded bras which were first developed in the
’50s and flew back into fashion during the ’90s with Wonderbra’s Hello Boys
campaign.

And 1960s Mad Men style stockings and suspenders became popular again in the
2000s as girls took up the burlesque dance craze.

Other frillies following the 40-year rule include 1920s camisoles which began
fashionable worn under hippy fashions in the 1960s and again under suit
jackets in the 2000s.

And 1950s pointed bras donned by movie queens Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe
was copied by Madonna in the ‘90s.

Ultimo boss and bra queen Michelle Mone said: “Trends come around in lingerie
as they do in fashion and it doesn’t surprise me that it works on a 40-year
cycle.

“It used to be that we changed our lingerie to suit fashions, but now
underwear is setting the styles before outwear.”

Currently the hippest bedroom style is ‘70s style lingerie, with women
clearing the shelves of cut-out bras and sheer, brightly coloured lacy
undies at top stores including Selfridges and Agent Provocateur.

Stars embracing the ‘70s trend include style-setters Madonna, Victoria
Beckham, Nicki Minaj and Rhianna, who have all been snapped wearing the
trend first developed by sex shops in the ‘70s.

High street stores including Primark and MS have recently started selling
their own versions of ’70s undies.

But there is good news for women as the theory predicts G-string knickers
won’t be back in fashion until 2030.

Earlier
this year The Sun told how thong sales were falling by 12 per cent a year as
girls shun uncomfortable undies.

Developed by sex shops in 1970s, now they are the biggest new lingerie trend.

Launched by undies giant Victoria’s Secret in the 1970s, back in fashion now.

The boob-enhancing bras first emerged in 1950s then took off again in the
1990s.

The simple smooth lines of austerity undies were the big trend in the 1940s
but became popular again under tight bodycon dresses in the 1980s.

The corset-style became popular in the 1960s, then trendy again in the 2000s.
Experts say the rise in strapless wedding dresses revived the trend.

The 1960s Mad Men style saw a revival in the 2000s with suspender belt sales
up 65 per cent. Experts claimed it was fuelled by girls following the
burleseque dance craze.

The 1950s trend leapt to fame again in the 1990s with Bridget Jones.

The 1950s ‘pointy bust’ bra made famous by Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe was
copied by Madonna in the 1990s and saw sales rocket.

First fashionable in the 1920s, the feminine vest-style tops made a comeback
under hippy fashions in the 1960s then were updated again in the 2000s to be
worn under jackets.

The 1930s styles made a sexy comeback in the 1970s and is back in fashion
again now. Virtual versions are even being sold on website Second Life.

From the 1990s, they won’t be back in fashion until 2030.

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