fashion

Bradelis Collection — Photo by Alberto Lama

From the press release:

New York, NY 24 February 2014 – Lingerie Fashion Week®, the first Fashion Week worldwide exclusively created for intimate apparel brands, entered its third season for Fall/Winter 2014 with a twist – literally. Fifteen plus domestic and international designers took the stage via Runway, Presentation and Special Exhibition, with a few surprises in store, at New York’s Canoe Studios February 20th, 21st and 22nd, 2014.

The season kicked-off with a cocktail party hosted by Lingerie Fashion Week FW14 sponsors Shibue Couture (Official Lingerie Solution) and Soak Wash (Official Delicates Care), celebrating the launch of Shibue’s ‘Summer Lace’ Strapless Panty Collection and Soak’s newest eco-formulation and rebranding. BRADELIS NEW YORK followed with the first Runway Show of the season, wrapping with a Presentation and Cocktail Reception to 400+ guests. Currently counting three New York storefronts including Soho & Madison Ave, the brand offers luxury lingerie for everyday wear; combining the best of American function with Japanese craftsmanship.

Friday opened with a Runway Show held by modern-boudoir luxury house Naked Princess, showcasing floaty chemises, luxurious PJ sets, cashmere robes and delicate lace lingerie in a luxuriously feminine collection. A ‘Ones to Watch’ Special Exhibition followed, presented by Digital Media Partner The Lingerie Journal and featuring new & emerging designers Arsenic & Vieilles Dentelles,BlackBird Underpinnings, Iris London, Lola Haze, Negative Underwearand Nevaeh Intimates. The on-dress form Exhibition was additionally on-view upon venue entry throughout the duration of Lingerie Fashion Week. Not for the faint of heart, FYI by Dani Read presented “The Muse of the Violets” in a solo presentation, showcasing a collection of aggressive, convertible luxury lingerie for the femme fatale with a sinister high fashion edge. Closing Friday was a Special Exhibition by sculpture artist Heather Corey, presenting “Love Corsetry”: a textural and colorful expression of the corset drawing inspiration from the feminine form and Parisian glamour. Set to share Corey’s vision of feminine motion with the viewer, “Love Corsetry” presents detailed manipulation of (Corey’s own) handmade paper fibers and paper clay in two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms.

Launching for FW14, LAYNEAU COLLECTION opened Saturday’s shows, showcasing its luxury boudoir-wear for the modern ‘Madame X’ on lingerie models up to age 60. Sweeping floor length dressing gowns, dramatic velvet bed jackets, sheer chiffon chemises and more made their debut via Presentation, set to the live sounds of the Boudreaux String Quartet. Taking thigh highs to new heights, Kix’ies Thigh Highs presented “Cirque de Kix’ies”, featuring thigh-high clad contortionists, hand balancers and suspended hoop artists from 2 Ring Circus – proving the brand’s “thigh highs that don’t fall down” mantra holds true. A multi-designer Made in the USA Presentation showcased contemporary lingerie & loungewear from unconventional NaïS (Brooklyn), sustainable Clare Bare (LA), and gothic Sophi Reaptress (Philadelphia), whose models were privy to expertly manicured, vegan non-toxic nails provided by Priti NYC (showcasing colorways Tulip Tree Teal, Constant Nymph, Mulberry Jam, Bronze Meteor, Coffee Bush, Chrysanthos, and Nigra). Global lingerie powerhouse and full bust cult-favorite Affinitas & Parfait closed the season Saturday night, turning the runway into an enchanted forest to showcase their FW14 collections along with the brand new Cupcake Panty line.

Bradelis photo by Caroline Alarcón Loor.

Bringing consumers in on the action, the three-day event wrapped with an open-to-the-public Official Closing Benefit Saturday night, featuring a group Exhibition Runway Show that brought back 10+ of the season’s designers onto one exciting stage, including: Affinitas & Parfait, BlackBird Underpinnings, BRADELIS NEW YORK, Clare Bare, FYI by Dani Read, LAYNEAU COLLECTION, Lola Haze, NaïS, Nevaeh Intimates and Shibue Couture. The 30-minute show also saw a special ‘halftime’ performance presented byKix’ies Thigh Highs, featuring thigh-high clad step performers from AOS (Art of Stepping®). A ticketed event, 15% of sales were donated to FW14 Non-Profit Partner Safe Horizon, the nation’s leading victim assistance organization. Safe Horizon responds to child abuse, domestic violence, and other violent crimes in New York City to help victims and their families heal and rebuild their lives.

Designers were joined by industry complementing sponsors including Digital Media Partner The Lingerie Journal, Procter & Gamble’s leading feminine protection brand Always, Official Beverage of Lingerie Fashion Week® Java Monster and Official Liquor Sponsor BH Group USA, serving their portfolio of spirits & wine (Lotus Vodka, Passion XO Liqueur, The Fat Trout Whiskey and Notorious Pink Rosé) at select presentations and special exhibitions. Famed mixologist and apotheker Albert Trummer (Drogerie Miami and the soon-to-open Drogerie New York) joined BH Group USA to expertly craft artisan cocktails for each event. Angelica Roberts Photography returned as Official Boudoir Photographer to Lingerie Fashion Week FW14, while completely bare joined as Official Hair Removal. Recipients of the Official Gift Bag (distributed exclusively at the Closing Benefit) received completely bare’s best-selling Ready, Set, Wax Kit, along with guilt-free snack PopChips, Shibue Couture’s signature No-Strap Panty andSoak Wash delicates care samples. All hair & makeup looks at Lingerie Fashion Week FW14 were designed courtesy Backstage Beauty Partner The Temple: A Paul Mitchell Partner School in conjunction with MAT: Makeup at the Temple and Ultimate Face Cosmetics.

Bradelis Collection — Photo by Alberto Lama

Lingerie Fashion Week FW14 was home to 20,000+ square feet of sweeping studio space with wraparound views of the Hudson River, offering ample space for Runway Shows and Presentations as well as a centrally-located Sponsor Lounge offering seamless connection between the venue, Canoe Studios. Canoe is housed within the prestigious Starrett-Lehigh Building at 601 West 26th Street, a creative landmark located in the heart of Manhattan’s gallery district.