Pretty floral arrivals from Marie Jo

This season it seems to be all pretty and floral in fashion and so the lingerie industry have been doing what they are best at. The two latest arrivals from Marie Jo show these trends off perfectly. The gorgeous Marie Jo Mira is a pretty fresh print with tiny little pink rose buds on the skyblue bra accented with white lace.

The other arrival, the Marie Jo Fiona has a hint at the vintage with the rich ivory lace covering the cups. It's also one of the few collections that includes a suspender belt and also a basque. I would be perfect for a wedding or if you are loving the underwear as outwear trend would be perfect peaking out of a little camisole.

Both collection have the new style push up bra to give you A,B And C cup ladies a bit of added oomph as well as the classic plunge bra which is available to an E Cup. For all those volumptuous lovelies reading this never fear the new Prima Donna ranges will be with us soon and you are going to be wowed!

At Last Time to Show Off Your Lovely Lingerie...

I knew it! Eventually if you love something long enough it will come into fashion!

The catwalks have been filled with the underwear as outwear trend this season. Unsurprisingly the ladies at Plums Lingerie think it’s about time this trend came back. The iconic of image of Madonna in the cone bra Gaultier corset still looms large and Dolce Gabbana have always produced stunning corset inspired dresses. The trend is now firmly on the high street with cute little bra tops, lacey camisoles and pretty delicate pastels. Like all trends I can already foresee this pretty seductive trend being mutilated and some using it as an excuse to just flash the flesh. Those crops tops really should only be worn by the young and skinny. However there are lots of ways to take inspiration from the designers who have brought the trend to the catwalks of Milan, Paris and London. You may even be able to raid your lingerie drawer and give some of your favourite pieces a new lease of life.

Lace
Lace has become a firm favourite since the trend appeared in the winter. The lace is now moving away from classic black to the pretty delicate pastels, creams, pinks and nudes. A great way of flirting with this trend is by wearing lacey bras with tops that show just the edging of your bra or allow you to show the lace straps. You can also look at wearing a lace and silk slip like the Marjolaine Divine over a pair of skinny jeans or leggings. Alternatively the lace cami tops of the pyjamas would look great teamed with a pretty pastel cardigan and floaty skirt.

Corsetry
The corset dresses seen in the Christian Dior, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana collections are stunning. Many of the lingerie designers already produce bustiers that look great with a pair of jeans or a slinky pencil skirt. The key to carrying off this look is picking a bustier that doesn’t look too much like it is underwear. If the bustier is mainly opaque like the Marie Jo Rose bustier it looks more like it is designed to be seen. Marlies Dekkers also produces sexy bustiers that can be worn as a top. If you have a bustier that looks a little too seductive to be worn on its own a great idea is wearing it underneath a sheer blouse or a lace top. The Prima Donna Babel bustier lends itself perfectly to this and if you aren’t quite ready for the pretty peach pastel tone it also comes in black.

If you are willing to take the plunge you could go for the full steel boned corset. Eternal Spirits produce a fabulous range that are so versatile they can be worn out to a night club, dressed up with a tailored jacket for dinner or worn with a full length skirt for a black tie event. Combine the lace and the corsetry with the stunning lace Bettie corset. Alternatively there are the super sexy waist cinches that can be worn over a dress, or over trousers and a blouse.

This summers key trend is so easy to wear and play around with and a great excuse to show off your gorgeous underwear that spends so much time undercover

Sever Weather Warning!

Tomorrow brings with it a severe weather warning at Plums Lingerie. The hurricane force that is Nicola from Marie Jo and Prima Donna descends on our little boutique. Tricia is currently battening down the hatches and preparing for the whirlwind of lingerie that will hurtle out Nicola’s suitcase like something out of Harry Potter.

It’s always lovely to catch up with Nicola, listening to her animated tales of boutiques far and wide. Her enthusiastic laugh fills the boutique like the contents of her suitcase. Tricia and I have the challenge of putting together our biggest order of the season hoping that we don’t miss out on ‘the next big thing’ and I’m not referring to the H cups! I have already had a sneak preview in Paris and can reveal that the fantastic Prima Donna Deauville will be coming in raspberry for the autumn.

I am sure after an exhausting couple of hours, a few lattes and a lot of laughs we will have our order sorted. Then this weekend it’s time to put in the Simone Perele and Implicite then we are all set and we can get back to organising our party on the 10th February.

I can barely contain myself at this time of year. The parcels we receive become decidedly more exciting. It maybe only August but the autumn winter stock starts arriving and I get to see what I ordered in Paris in January.

It can make a girl rather jittery, they ply you with champagne and gorgeous Belgium chocolates before you order. This January I ordered solo so goodness knows what Tricia is going to say when she opens the boxes of orders made under the influence of Moet and a heady sugar rush. I shall take any criticism on the chin and cross my fingers that the dubious cerise and puce negligee is a real hit at Christmas! If it doesn't sell if obviously won't be down to my taste is silky lovelies but Tricia's reluctance to blind customers by taking it out of the box.

The first two arrivals of the season have so far been a huge success. The soft seductive purple of the Implicite Potassium is the first hint of the colour of the season. Purple is huge.... Every range has a purple offering, both lingerie and nightwear. However I still can't quite fathom why Implicite has chosen to use chemicals for the names of the collections... I wonder what they will do once they have made their way through the periodic table of elements.

Marie Jo on the other hand seem to have taken a much more sensible route on picking names asthe new range Mary proves. A delicate pretty collection that ranges from and essential T shirt bra to a elegant new take on the push up bra. With the range coming in black, ivory and red there is definitely something for everyone.

This evening I will be whipping out my lighting tent and doing my best David Bailey impression. The new arrivals hopefully should be on the website by Monday evening!

In charge of the Empire

So the first week in August is here again and Tricia makes her escape to visit our relatives in Alderney. I think she goes to get back to her roots and it helps her realise why she is as bonkers as she is.

This means I have full control of the Empire in her absence. Obviously profits will soar while I am here, I could barely get passed the crowds lining up outside the door in the morning.

I have managed to snatch myself a few minutes to give you a little update. August seems to be a bit of a strange month, waiting for the new autumn winter stock and busily making sure the website will be ready for the new arrival. Well Robby my virtual PA has been busy updating spreadsheets and saving images etc.

I have been catching up with all the news from Marie Jo Lingerie in their fabulous styling magazine.

I have also been busy booking the trip to Paris in September for buying Spring/Summer 10 stock. 5 days in Paris "working" ah it's tough but I am willing to do it just so all our lovely customers have the very best lingerie to choose from . Mode City is a huge event and a great opportunity for us to see all the latest trends and if Serena is with us usually seeing the Calvin Klein models!