Au Revoir Paris....

Back from Paris and once again the Salon de Lingerie didn’t disappoint! It was great to see it so much busier than last year. The mood it definitely more optimistic however there seems to be a reduction in the men’s lingerie section. Six packed, toned lovelies wandering around in their pants seem to be a scarce breed. Perhaps the bottom has fallen out of the men’s market?

The professional that I am I focused on the buying for next winter and feel quite pleased with the orders placed. Purple is still popular but I think that every woman must own a purple lingerie set by now! The colour raspberry is also very popular, not too red and not too purple. Not sure if it’s particularly boy friendly, one for the girls I think. I have also sourced a new supplier which will be kept under wraps until later in the year but it will take us in to a slightly different market place.

I also picked up the new La Decollete, a bra that dewrinkles your cleavage, as seen in the Daily Mail I am not sure that bra is an accurate description, it more like a mini pillow with shoulder and back straps. The sales rep swore blind it was brilliant, so I thought I would pick one up and bring it home to test out what people think.

After all this work, despite the exhaustion, I continued with my hunt for the perfect location for a glass of champagne. I really don’t understand when people are skeptical about how tough this trip is. The Hemingway Bar at the Ritz was cosy and intimate but I felt I should have been drinking whisky rather than champers. I preferred the Meurice Hotel on Rue de Rivoli, perfect for a post purchase relaxation accompanied by a bit of plinky plonky piano. I will continue the research when buying for next season, any recommendations will be gratefully received and tested thoroughly.

The Fontainbleu Bar at Le Meurice

Paris... 1 day to go!

Paris in January... it maybe a tad fresh at this time of year but to me it looses none of it's magic.  However I may change my mind if it feels like my ears will be blown off in the wind or the rain dampens my glamorous 'do.  I jet off tomorrow on a mission to choose lots of lovely frillies for the autumn winter season.  Obviously with no thought for myself I shall trudge relentlessly from stand to stand until I find the perfect collections.   Just thought of having delighted customers will spur me on (not to mention the champagne and chocolates).

I am leaving Tricia at home to make sure the website is managed and everyone who comes to the boutique is helped to find the perfect lingerie. You will be please to know that I have finally worked out how to take photos with my phone and upload them to Twitter so prepare to be bombarded!

In between meeting our lovely suppliers, attending seminars and shows I shall be going undercover to research some of our Parisian competitors.  Always interesting to see how others arrange their boutiques and what designers they sell.  If you want to be kept uptodate on the latest from the show you can either follow me on Twitter or visit our Facebook Fan Page.

Au Revoir....

Fit to burst?

Wind, rain sleet and snow but still we are open after the Christmas break. Tricia as finally dried out from the Christmas excess and has managed tidy up the boutique and sort out the new window display. Despite being promised the new range from Prima Donna called Twist, we have yet to see it. We have our suspicions that those chaps from customs may be sporting the pretty spring collection.


Had an interesting phone call from a customer last night asking for fitting advice over the phone. Bit of a challenge to do a virtual fitting, we would always recommend that you do get a proper fitting at least once a year to make sure your lingerie purchases are perfect. But if you see the fitter getting out a tape measure it’s time to politely make your excuses and leave. Any good fitter will pretty much be able to get the right size for you by eye.

We’ve had many a woman who has been emotionally traumatised by a bad experience. Even when you’ve got the courage up to go and get fitted a shocking 80% of fittings from high street shops and department stores are right. A good fitter will never try and get you to fit the bra rather than get the bra to fit you.

Don’t get disheartened if a bra doesn’t suit you or doesn’t fit well. It’s just like trying on dresses, you will always get styles that just don’t work for you. It doesn’t mean you are a funny shape, you’re just not that shape.

Well that’s enough of the do goody bra expert malarkey, I’m off for a G&T.