Petits Bisous 1st Anniversary Party!

 

   Luxury lingerie boutique, Petits Bisous, celebrated its first birthday on the 13th February and in honour of the occasion, a glittering party was held at their King's Road boutique. Since launching, Petits Bisous has garnered increasing attention from the Press; its lingerie has featured in top publications such as Vogue UK and it has been seen on celebrities from The Saturdays to Kate Moss. Having spotted Petits Bisous on Made in Chelsea a little while ago, I have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to visit the boutique, so when an invitation to their anniversary party popped up in my inbox, I accepted with great anticipation!

   The boutique is perfectly located in the heart of Chelsea, at 187 Kings Road. On arriving, I was met by a Valentine's window display, which was steamed up due to the cold weather, but which fit aptly with the Valentine's/ racy underwear theme! 

   The event was peppered with an array of celebrity attendees, such as Sophie Anderton, Jason Gardiner and Lucy Mecklenburgh (who arrived just before me and who was literally pounced upon by waiting paparazzi!)

 (Credit right: Petits Bisous)

   On stepping in to the boutique, I was delighted to be met by a glass of champagne and a decadent-looking interior that exuded the feel of an upmarket Parisian boutique. The boutique was filled with the excited chatter of party guests and a live singer serenaded guests with her acoustic guitar. Exquisite luxury lingerie adorned the rails and it was only moments before I was drawn into a dream of lace, silk, satin and chiffon...

   Petits Bisous is a veritable haven for lingeristas with a penchant for exquisite undergarments. The boutique boasts a delectable array of bras, bodies, corsets, sleepwear, shapewear, swimwear and accessories, alongside a personal service that offers lingerie stylists and an in-house tailoring service, which caters to bespoke lingerie requests. 

   The boutique is host to highly sought-after lingerie brands such as Bordelle, Damaris, Fleur of England, Nichole de Carle, Made by Niki, Lascivious, Dirty Pretty Things, Empreinte, Bijoux Indiscrets, Shell Belle Couture and many more, with a growing DD+ selection that includes Harlow and Fox, All Undone and Mimi Holliday. 

   Petits Bisous is owned by Esther Fieldgras, an expert in the beauty industry (with over 30 years experience) and founder of EF Medispa. Esther cherry-picks her brands, always keeping an eye out for emerging lingerie brands that will add that 'je ne sais quoi' to her boutique collections. Esther's love for lingerie is apparent by her desire to provide clientele with jaw-droppingly beautiful lingerie and the 'styling experience' to go with it! 

(Credit: http://esthersbeautyblog.co.uk)

Esther cuts the Petits Bisous birthday cake!

   The decadent soirée was held in partnership with Mozafarian (purveyors of fine jewellery). After I had finished perusing all of the lingerie on the ground floor, I spotted some stairs and descended to the basement boudoir, where more lingerie, sparkling diamonds and lingerie-clad models awaited...

(Credit: http://esthersbeautyblog.co.uk)

There was even an amazing pressure-sensitive 'bottom' light, created by Joseph Begley, which definitely brought a grin to my face! (Apologies for the very short video clip!)

   What could be better than an evening spent amongst diamonds and designer lingerie, with a side helping of sparkling champagne, cake, live music and glamorous lingerie models? 

Bon anniversaire, Petits Bisous!

Love,

*****

Check out the video coverage of the event: here!

Visit the boutique at: 187 King's Road, Chelsea, London, SW3, 5EB

Shop online: www.petitsbisous.com

*****

Happy New Year, £100 in designer lingerie prize winner & updates!

 

   2013 has officially been and gone and I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy new year and to thank every one of you who has read my blog and supported my bra journey since the beginning in 2011!

   The past year has certainly been a formative year for me personally and there have been huge decisions to make and adapt to (primarily with regard to work and moving house). Regular readers may have noticed a dip in the amount that I have been able to blog in 2013 due to these commitments, but 2014 fills me with excitement as I am starting a new chapter of my life and I am looking to blog more regularly. Without revealing too much, I am also going to be introducing new and more varied content to the blog and I am also looking to revamp it aesthetically, as my layout is in need of a makeover!

   Thank you to everyone who entered my £100 luxury lingerie giveaway competition in collaboration with Honeys Lingerie Boutique - the response has been fantastic and it has definitely encouraged me to run more giveaways for you all in 2014!

   The winner was picked by random.org (which, as the name suggests, generates a winner at random!) The lucky person who has bagged a £100 voucher to use at Honeys Lingerie Boutique on any lingerie of their choice is...

Claire Wilkinson

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

   If you did not win this time, be sure to keep an eye on my blog, Facebook and Twitter, as I hope to run more competitions this year!

   May your 2014 be filled with lots of happiness, success, love and gorgeous lingerie!

Love,

  

A luxurious gift on the highstreet: Rosie for Autograph M&S nightwear review

   If you're looking for the perfect gift this Christmas, lingerie and nightwear can be a wonderful treat to receive! Whilst lingerie is a thoughtful and personal gift, there are many pitfalls to avoid when purchasing it for someone else - factoring in both her size and taste can be a difficult task! A fantastic alternative gift idea is to buy your special lady some luxurious nightwear or sleepwear; think silks, satins, lace, demure detailing and beautiful trims. The big question is..where can you find luxury without the huge price tag? Surely you can't find it on the high street, right? Wrong!

   When I say 'M&S' to you, images of decadent, vintage-inspired silk lingerie and nightwear probably isn't the first thing that springs to mind, but prepare to be impressed (and seduced in equal measure) by the debut collection from supermodel, Rosie Huntington Whitely: 'Rosie for Autograph'. Lingerie has played a huge part in Rosie's modelling career and she is said to hold a real passion for it, making the English rose a perfect ambassador for the M&S 'Autograph' brand. Rosie states:

   "I was particularly drawn to the opulent elegance of the Twenties era which really shows in my designs from the sumptuous silks I chose to the intricate deco-inspired embroidery detailing on the garments. The palette [...] was largely influenced by the rich colours of different types of roses. From the muted tones of dusky pink and green through to dramatic scarlet blooms." (via Daily Mail)

   Rosie's collection certainly channels Great Gatsby elegance and the pieces reflect a softness and femininity that is classic, sophisticated and timeless. As the lingerie from the collection does not come in my bra size, my attention was drawn to the luxurious nightwear styles..cue delightful pure silk and cashmere pieces with lace and ribbon trims.

   The piece that caught my eye above all was the Rosie for Autograph pure silk lace wrap dressing gown in taupe (£59):

   It was an interesting choice for me as I have never really worn anything in this unusual taupe/mink shade, but I really loved the wrap-over design, lace detailing, floaty 'butterfly' sleeves, ribbon waist tie and key hole detail at the back - vintage romanticism at its best! 

   As you can see, the colour of this night gown is slightly darker than the promotional pictures, which was a welcome surprise for me as I am very pale. The quality was also very high and the 100% silk content makes this piece beautifully soft against the skin when worn.

   The design of this wrap dressing gown is gorgeous - it features an inner tie which keeps the cross-over sections in place better and the ties can be tied as tight or loose as the wearer wishes. The night gown is finished off by a silky waist ribbon tie:

   I really love the way that this dressing gown looks and feels when worn. The silk feels lightweight and it is hard not to glide around in this floaty number without feeling like an old Hollywood screen siren! The size 10 fit me nicely and it sweeps over curves and drapes beautifully to just above my ankles. (I'm 5ft10, so it would probably fall to ankle/near floor length on someone shorter) The wrap style is also very flattering to ladies with a bust and I actually found the chest area (which is made from lace with a slight stretch) to be generous - great news for those with larger busts that need extra chest room!

   I was also very impressed with the attention to detail. The main body of the gown is silk, but the bust section and sleeves are predominantly semi-sheer lace. You could either wear this gown over a night dress or alone for a more risqué (but still classy) look.. 

(Close up of a lace sleeve with slightly scalloped edging..)

   The silky waist ribbon tie helps to cinch in the waist and emphasise your feminine curves, whilst its soft sheen compliments the matte silk of the rest of the garment. The key-hole slit detail adds interest at the back of this dressing gown, revealing a peek of skin - a lovely touch indeed!

   Better still, when I checked the washing label, I was thrilled to find out that it is machine washable! (Surprising for something that has such delicate looking details, but it seems very well made.)

   I was really bowled over by how pretty this Rosie for Autograph gown was in the flesh and would really recommend it as a gift to someone else or as a treat to yourself this Christmas! It is a very versatile and flattering piece and even accomodates for a larger bust - a big 'tick' in my books. This piece would be perfect for injecting some grown up, sophisticated vintage glamour into any lady's nightwear collection. It is the kind of piece that I would love for my husband to buy me for Christmas and it looks so much more expensive than its £59 price tag - anyone would think that it was a luxury boutique piece!

   If you're looking for affordable luxury this Christmas, the Rosie for Autograph M&S nightgown is a present-perfect romantic treat that will make the recipient feel well and truly spoiled. It comes in sizes 8-22 and is selling out fast, so be quick if you want a slice of supermodel decadence under your tree this Xmas...

Click here to buy or see more of the Rosie for Autograph collection here.

Love,
Kitty xo

Stepping into sophistication: Masquerade by Panache 'Amor' lingerie review

   Undercover Lingerista readers will likely be aware of my love for fuller busted lingerie brand, Panache and their Masquerade line. Masquerade lingerie is commonly characterised by sophisticated and elegant designs, sumptuous fabrics and ornate detailing, which combine to offer the wearer great fitting luxury lingerie at affordable price points. Masquerade tends to be slightly more expensive than Panache's other sub-brands ('Superbra' and 'Cleo'), but the Masquerade line is such a decadent approach to D-H cup lingerie, that it is hard not to fall in love with the collections! 

   When it comes to bras, I tend to favour moulded bras due to the great rounded shape and cleavage that they offer. One of my favourite bras from Masquerade is definitely the 'Capella' bra which I reviewed a while ago..so much so that this beautiful bra became one of my 'go-to' bras for both special occasions and under my everyday work wear (as it was so comfortable)! Unfortunately my 'Capella' is slightly too small for me at the moment, so when I spotted the new Masquerade 'Amor' sweetheart moulded bra at the Panache A/W12 press day, I couldn't help but lust after it!

   

   The Masquerade 'Amor' set consists of a stunning moulded underwired bra and brazilian briefs in a rich sapphire jewel tone. The bra comes in back sizes 28-38 with cup sizes D-G and the matching knickers come in sizes 8-18. In line with my current Panache size, I went for a 28G in the bra and a 10 in the briefs, courtesy of the lovely people at Panache..

   The Masquerade 'Amor' bra looks even more exquisite in the flesh and the play on detail actually resides in the contrast of the sapphire satin with the matte blue fabric sections. As you can see from the pictures, the satin has an opulent sheen to it when it catches the light, making this bra look very chic and high-end. The matte blue sections run across the cups and down the centre gore of the bra in a 'V' shape, drawing the eye down to a central cleavage point. The 'Amor' is similar to the 'Capella' in that it is a balconette-plunge style with a 'sweetheart' neckline, which gives a more subtle and 'natural' cleavage than a deep plunge bra.

   The straps are also fairly thin (compared to Freya bras for example) and measure about 1.5cm thick (the same as the straps on the other Masquerade bras that I own). Unlike the 'Capella', however, the 'Amor' bra's straps are fully adjustable, which is always a bonus in my book as it lends to a longer 'strap life' and is useful for those that need to tighten their straps considerably.

   The bra fastens with two hook and eyes and the back band is double lined with a matte blue stretch fabric and bordered by satin wrapped elastic. Initially the 28G 'Amor' band felt similar to the Masquerade 'Anise' and because it felt a bit too tight when I first tried it on, I exchanged it for a 30FF. I now wish that I had stuck with the 28G and worn it with an extender until it loosened up - the 30FF band loosened up very quickly and I need to go on to the middle hook after wearing it just once! 

   That said, the 'Amor' is a lovely bra and the satin is silky smooth. When worn, the bra gives a very rounded shape and a natural looking cleavage that is perfect for all occasions. Thanks to the smooth lines of the 'Amor' bra, it would work well under most clothing. I often reach for plain moulded bras for work (e.g. my Freya 'Deco' bras), so the 'Amor' makes for a more luxurious substitute. There is nothing nicer than going to work knowing that you're wearing comfortable and equally stylish lingerie!

   As for the matching brazilian briefs, I am glad that I exchanged the 10 for a 12 as they look more flattering in the bigger size. 

   The 'Amor' brazilian briefs are interestingly not a direct match to the 'Amor' bra and are instead made from a soft matte stretch mesh with satin-wrapped elastic edging. I actually quite like that the bra and briefs are not 'matchy matchy' as it makes the set a bit more unusual. The fabric is also very slightly sheer, meaning that they steer away from looking like 'standard' plain blue knickers:

   The briefs are very smooth feeling and practical as they are seam-free. Although they are comfortable, they are not my favourite knickers. The elastic borders dig into your flesh a little bit, which although not uncomfortable, is not hugely flattering or conducive to creating a sleek silhouette under clothing. 

   The 'Amor' is a lovely lingerie set and I can see the bra particularly being worn a great deal in the upcoming festive season - whether it is under a dress to a Christmas party or as an everyday set under work clothes or casual wear. It has an understated appeal that makes it a timeless set and the luxe satin and sheer matte fabric combination elevates it beyond being 'just a blue lingerie set'. 

   With Christmas approaching, the 'Amor' would also make for a luxurious gift. If you can't afford real diamonds and sapphires, the 'Amor''s jewel tone satin will be enough to seduce any lady and make her feel spoiled! There is nothing more indulgent than gorgeous new lingerie and the 'Amor' set delivers everyday luxury aplenty. 

   One thing that I have learnt in my bra journey is that beautiful lingerie makes me feel good, so why save it solely for special occasions? Whether you're at the office or just lounging at home, wearing that pretty lingerie set will make you feel like you really 'have it together'!

The Masquerade 'Amor' is available to buy from My Curves and Me and other retailers. (Now there is even more reason to treat yourself or someone else as the 'Amor' bra is currently reduced from £42 to £24.50 and the briefs are reduced from £18.50 to £10.79!)

(I have also heard that the 'Amor' is coming out in 'Berry' for 2013, so keep your eyes peeled!)

Click here to see more of Panache's Masquerade collections.

Love,

Kitty xo

Lingerie luxuries with newcomer, Beaujais!

  As a lingerie blogger with a larger bust, many a time have I flicked through a copy of VOGUE magazine and torn out heart-stoppingly beautiful designer lingerie adverts or stared longingly through lingerie boutique windows at luxurious intimates that I could never find in my size. "What about fuller busted ladies who want some luxury in their lives?" I would murmur to myself.

  Although there are designer brands that cater for larger bust sizes, there is a special 'je-ne-sais-quoi' about hand-made luxury lingerie that just captivates me like nothing else. Recently, I was fortunate enough to come across an up-and-coming luxury lingerie brand that set my heart a-flutter with its meticulous craftmanship, beautifully executed designs and sumptuous fabrics of silk and lace. It is with pleasure that I present to you:

  'Beaujais' is the creation of lingerie fashion designer, Alice Warner. Alice graduated from Leeds University in 2010 with a First Class Honours in fashion design, giving her a solid basis upon which to realise her dream of producing her own line of luxury lingerie aimed at women with a fuller bust. Alice's dedication to lingerie for the fuller bust stems from her own struggles as an F cup, with finding bras that delivered support, shape and luxury in equal measure.

  Alice's strong fashion background and experience in lingerie design during her 'Year in Industry' enabled her to "translate fashion trends into [her] designs", making her lingerie collection directional and fashion-forward, yet timelessly wearable. Alice states Christopher Bailey (the Creative Director at Burberry) and the late Alexander McQueen amongst her big influences - she particularly admires Bailey for his ethos and attention to combining "design flair with commerciality". Alice was also lucky enough to work in a small team to archive Mcqueen's past collections and she was bowled over by his "couture craftmanship" and the beauty of his extraordinary pieces.  

  I was keen to find out the origins of the brand name, 'Beaujais', and what sort of woman best embodied the Beaujais brand ethos, so I contacted Alice to reveal all:

  "The brand name, Beaujais, came about through a combination of an old family name, a subversion of the French language and a few glasses of wine! 

[The 'Beaujais'] woman [is one] with curves who’s confident in her own skin. She appreciates quality and a great fit, whilst desiring fashion-led styles with a sexier edge."

  With this in mind, the Beaujais Autumn/Winter 2011 collection is a romantic but sexy offering of exquisite silks offset by black eyelash lace, swallow tail satin bows, peek-a-boo sheer lace cups, cut out and panel detailed knickers and lashings of elegance! What's more, is that Beaujais caters for (and makes to order) back sizes, 28-34 in cup sizes D-H - C'est chic!

('Sweet Nothings' balconette bra in (left) liqueur and (right) teal) 

('Barely There' knicker in Liqueur (left) and French knicker in teal (right))

  The 'Sweet Nothings' balconette bra is definitely one of my favourites from the A/W11 collection, particularly in the on-trend teal colour. The dusky pink and rich teal silk satin are perfectly complimented by the black French Leavers lace and the sheer lace cups make this set a real show-stopper. I love the fact that the 'Sweet Nothings' bra looks so delicate, but remains supportive to bigger busts with its underwiring, lightly padded sling and wide silk straps. I am also in love with the lace panel french knickers and cut-out 'Barely there' knickers - for an added sexiness that is sure to make any man's jaw drop!

('Inkling' balconette bra (left) and 'Smokey Taboo' balconette bra (right))

  Once again, the 'Inkling' bra showcases a designing feat that mixes the delicacy of peek-a-boo lace cups with good support and lift for a larger bust. This is definitely an 'all occasion' bra and it is classic enough to suit everyone. The blue silk satin 'Smokey Taboo' is less risqué in style, but remains eminently sultry and 'boudoir'. This bra would look great on pale and darker complexions alike!

  Finally, this brings me to talk about my personal favourite, the 'Shadow Wrapped' balconette, which Alice sent me samples of in a 30F and 30FF to try for myself...

The bras arrived beautifully packaged in a pale green 'fold out' box, with the 'Beaujais' logo printed in gold on the front:

  Inside, wrapped in gold tissue paper, were the two 'Shadow Wrapped' bras. I was amazed at how beautiful the bras were 'in the flesh' - the stock photos definitely do not do this bra justice!

  As you can see from the photos, the 'Shadow Wrapped' is a dusky, lilac tone overlaid with grey French Leavers lace. The silk satin back panel is black, along with the straps and swallow-tail bow at the centre of the cups. The rouleaux straps are fully adjustable and are attached to pearl silver rings. The bra cups are fully lined in silk satin, ensuring maximum comfort, whilst giving the bra a gorgeous, soft-shine finish. The craftmanship of this bra is of a very high standard, with close attention to detail - a great testament to Alice's talent as a lingerie designer.

  Although the 'Shadow Wrapped' bra is priced at £98, you really are paying for the quality and workmanship that goes into its making. I was very impressed with the quality of the fabrics used and I could not get over how soft the silk felt to the touch - I cannot think of anything more luxurious than a 95% silk bra with exquisite detailing! The Eyelash lace is beautifully patterned and the bow detail adds to the bra's vintage elegance.

(Details of the 'Shadow Wrapped' bra)

  Fit wise, I needed the 30FF for the cup space, so if you plan on ordering, it might be worth sizing up in the cups. As a 28FF, the 30 was too loose in the back for me, but all of Beaujais' bras can be made to order in a 28 back at no extra charge. Alice suggests that customers with 28 backs try on a couple of 30 backed Beaujais bras in the style that they wish to purchase, in order to get the right cup volume. When you know your cup volume, you can then order the equivalent in your proper bra size. You can contact alice@beaujais.com for more information on how to order.

  Alice's first Autumn/Winter 2011 collection is definitely unique and it is certainly one that drips style, indulgence and femininity. With everything designed and hand-made in the UK, you can guarantee the effort and dedication that goes into every piece - from bra to suspender to knickers. I am also excited (as a prospective bride) to say that Beaujais offer a bespoke bridal lingerie service and a strapless bridal bra style is also in development (a busty girl's bridal dream!)

  ...And because I'm a little bit nosy, I also asked Alice to give us a clue as to what she has in store for her next collection:

  "It hasn’t been revealed up to now, but I can say that we are continuing in our use of silks and beautiful French Leavers laces of the highest quality while adding heady doses of colour and an oriental twist! Expect sexy, fresh and pushing the boundaries of what lingerie in bigger cup sizes can be."

If the first collection is anything to go by, Alice and Beaujais have a lot of surprises in store for the future - definitely a brand to watch!

Love,

Kitty xo

For further information, you can find out more about Beaujais at http://www.beaujais.com/ or contact Alice at: alice@beaujais.com