In these troubled economic times, some of my customers are expressing concern about whether or not it is responsible to buy fancy lingerie in the middle of a credit crunch. My response is usually that it depends on how much you love it and/or need it. If you aren’t that crazy about lace, then you certainly don’t need the Chantilly Bra by Sabrina Nadal. If rompers seem complicated and fussy, then I would discourage you from trying on the new Silk Tapsuit by Lyell. Maybe you love Eres and Stella McCartney, but you need one or two simple staples that you will be able to wear for months, like the Bodas Smooth Tactel Underwire Bra or the Poet Chloe Chemise. Or perhaps you are like me, and you have a lingerie obsession. (more…)

It’s hard to resist the urge to make the world wide web your own personal soapbox, especially in such a crucial time for our country, but politics and lingerie don’t really mix, in spite of the popularity of the Panties Against Palin sign. So, as much as I’d like to go off on a diatribe about last night’s debate and the mind-bogglingly immoral tactics the McCain camp has been employing as of late, I will restrain myself. Instead, I’d like to talk about a debate of a very different nature - that is, padded or molded bras vs. natural underwire or bralettes. I haven’t gone so far as to state publicly that I am anti-padding, but I think I have made my stance on the issue clear - women should not feel that a foam shield is mandatory armor for the workplace. Most of my customers come to Lille for our vast selection of alternatives to the many uncomfortable, synthetic, padded options available at tacky chains (ahem…Vicky, that means you) and department stores. They are tired of having that “Get this thing off of me!” feeling at the end of the day and want to treat themselves right in the morning when they are getting dressed. A nice, soft, pima cotton t-shirt bra like the Pima Goddess by Eberjey, or a supportive, fancy, mesh bra like the Eve Giggling by Stella McCartney is a surefire antidote to the bra fatigue caused by one too many days in an itchy foam contraption. Beyond comfort, there is an added bonus: your breasts will look like… well, breasts rather than two halves of a smashed grapefruit. (more…)

The fabulous photo above was snapped by Alan Wizemann at our fashion show during Fir Fest last Saturday. (Thanks, Alan!) It was also featured in this week’s Sold Out column of the Mercury. (Thanks, Marjorie!) I’ve added a gallery of Alan’s Fir Fest snapshots to the Photo section on our site, which you can view by clicking here. In the next few days, I’ll be adding more photos from previous events, as well as video. Enjoy!

The new Fall styles that just arrived from I Heart Anna are from the “Walt Whitman” collection, and I have to say that it’s her best work to date! Soft, curved edges on the vintage leather fringes of The Bridge Between and Ariel Beauty (pictured above) lend a romantic quality to the pieces, and the vintage brass charms are so pretty! I’m having a hard time deciding which ones I can’t live without, but I’m leaning towards Fine Spokes of Light earrings and an Adorn the Parlors of Heaven pendant, although In Love With Touch is pretty great too. The pendants are all available online now, with the earrings soon to come…

Fans of the recently closed East Burnside staple ‘Denwave’ mourned the loss of the shop and the gorgeous hand-crafted jewelry by Hazel Cox contained within. Fortunately, although Hazel is leaving our fair city for new digs in San Fran, you will still be able to find her gorgeous necklaces and earrings at select stores throughout Portland; Lille Boutique is one of the lucky ones! Her Fall collection is inspired by 19th century photographs of Native Americans by Will Soule and is truly artistic and unique. This is just a sneak peek of the items - they will be available in our online store soon!

I just wanted to share a little bit of press with you: the Willamette Week featured my Gatsby Gown in this week’s “Lights, Camera, Fashion” feature, where they recreated the tone of noteworthy films shot in Portland this year.  Lille was chosen as the lingerie boutique to represent “The Auteur,” and you can read more about it here:  http://wweek.com/editorial/3446/11569/

Thank you to everyone who made it to our Fashion Show on Saturday. Fir Fest ‘08 was a great success, with a huge turnout for the big Lower East Side (I’m officially boycotting the use of the word LOBU, and I encourage everyone to follow suit) event that featured Rock n’ Rose, Hattie’s Vintage, Frank James and, of course, Lille Boutique. The theme was ‘Business You Can Believe In,’ and everyone got in the Election Spirit by sporting picket signs with a political agenda like the one above. I’ll be posting video and an image gallery to the site in the next few days, so stay tuned!

I have a newfound appreciation for the Ivana/Karin/Petra group after trying to make a silk night shirt with pleats last week. What a pain pleats are! Particularly when you’re working with delicate fibers like cotton crepe and silk charmeuse. I have the utmost respect for Araks and the quality of construction on all her garments, and I know I’m not alone in my enthusiasm. You’ll be pleased to note that we’ve received the Graphite, Prussian and Black sets, pictured above, as well as the Petra cami in Graphite. If you haven’t tried this group yet, now is the perfect time!

Just a reminder that our Fall Fashion show will be held tonight at the Doug Fir at 8:30pm. Please join us for drinks by Dewars and loads of free entertainment - art, music, fashion and fun! You’ll be the first to see the amazing Lyell lingerie, Hazel Cox and I Heart Anna jewelry, VPL and Araks Fall sets, a sneak preview from The Lake and Stars Spring line (with guest appearance by one of the designers!) and a few new pieces by Gatsby, designed by yours truly. How can you miss this?!!!

The gorgeous Tapsuit and Scallop Panties by Lyell arrived today, and they are even more spectacular in person! The quality of the construction is impeccable, the materials exquisite, the styles unique, the cuts flattering…I could really go on and on. I literally gasped when I opened the box, they are that beautiful. Sizing is limited - 2, 4, 6, just one of each, and I predict they will go fast. These are the type of undergarments that transport you to a different time and place (i.e. a circa 1920 society lady’s boudoir, complete with crystal perfume bottles, long strands of pearls and an art deco vanity.) Slip the scalloped silk charmeuse tap panties on with Stella McCartney’s Grace Waking bra and just try to not feel glamorous! It’s not possible. There are Lyell bra and undie sets on the way too, and I will definitely continue to follow the evolution of their lingerie line in the hope that an expanded collection will be coming soon!