Karolina Laskowksa is a wunderkind. If there is such a thing as a lingerie prodigy, then she is it. Only 25, Laskowska has run her namesake, award-winning, luxury lingerie label for the past five years. However, this season’s collection is particularly special – it’s Laskowska’s goodbye to the lingerie world.
Once upon a time, Frederick’s of Hollywood was the biggest name in American lingerie. Founded by Frederick Mellinger in 1947 (who, among other things, is credited with inventing the push-up bra, padded bra, and padded girdle), Frederick’s brought scandalously sexy lingerie to the homes of millions of people across America.
Loveday London made a major splash when it first launched in 2014. From their debut collection, the brand’s aesthetic was developed and iconic. Their tagline, ‘Hardcore Romance,’ captured the label’s trademark pairing of harsh leather with soft laces, silks and embroideries. Loveday London’s imagery also evokes a lush and opulent lifestyle, with the lingerie styled alongside their coordinating product ranges of cushions, blankets and candles.
One of my first lingerie shopping experiences was at Kaori’s Closet Tokyo in NYC. A sweet little boutique on Houston, Kaori’s Closet offered fancifully-decorated Japanese lingerie, otherwise unavailable in the US, and pretty loungewear from international indie lines. With bras covered in engineered floral embroidery, 3D lace appliques, textured elastics, and perfectly-placed rhinestones, the shop was overtly girly and definitely over the top.
Fleur Du Mal is the brainchild of ex-Kiki De Montparnasse designer, Jennifer Zuccarini. The lifestyle brand offers a range of lingerie, loungewear, corsetry, swimwear, clothing and accessories. Launched in 2012, the brand now has an impressive range of stockists (including Net-A-Porter, Saks & Selfridges) and intends to open a physical store this year, presumably in the USA.
