The Story of a Bra: Taliah
Posted on May 17, 2012 by Miss B in Boux AvenueEach season our team of buyers create a gorgeous new range of bras especially for you, but how do they get from being an idea on a mood board to adorning the drawers in our stores?
It’s not quite as simple as the buyers finding a bra they like and then buying a large quantity to put into stores. Our buying team works for months – sometimes up to a year – in advance, developing prints, trims and all of the other components on a bra in order to bring you the finished product. So I decided that it was time we found out exactly how it all happens.
I spoke to Charlie Mellor, our Lingerie Buyer about one of her favourite pieces from this season – a new full support style – Taliah. The journey is similar for most bra styles, but with Taliah, Charlie was specifically looking for a stand-out print to work on a full support style to fit in with the rest of her SS12 range.
The journey begins in Paris at the international Interfiliere trade show. Anyone who is anyone attends this seasonal show, where the best fabric and lingerie suppliers come together and new ideas, styles and ranges are created. Here is the story of Taliah…
1.”I travelled to the Paris Interfiliere Show in search of fab full support prints for SS12 – on this occasion it was Jan 2011 (a whole year ahead of the 2012 styles we’re hoping to buy things for).”
There are hundreds of suppliers on show here and it can be quite competitive in terms of other brands. If you see something you really like – i.e. a print or a fabric, you have to make sure that none of your competitors get to it first.
2. “I’d pre-scheduled appointments with fabric and embroidery suppliers attending the show that I knew had amazing prints – I already knew of one company that always have fantastic prints I love!”
Charlie didn’t have anything specific in mind in terms of how the print would look at this point, but she knew the other colours and styles that were going into the SS12 range so had a good idea of what kind of shades would work well.
3. “During the appointment, flicking through the print book I find a fantastic SS12 print that I know will sit fantastically within our SS12 range/colours and immediately request an urgent sample.”
Made up of a rounded graphic daisy print, the fabric has a sixties ‘flower-power’ vibe, but still feels modern, young and fun. The colours are inspired by Prada’s SS11 collection (pictured next to the fabric) with bold bright colours like fuchsia and orange giving it a really summery feel.
4. “I receive the sample 2-3 weeks later and put it onto the SS12 mood boards I’m building for the season.”
This particular mood board was created by one of our fabulous suppliers – but is a great example of the kind of thing we work from. As you can see the floral trend is a really strong look for SS12, as are the warm, bright colours. The delicate floral lace edging is also a big look in lingerie for this season.
5. “I’ll present the print along with other styles at internal seasonal SS12 trend/design meetings.”
This is where all of the buyers get together and present our ranges where they are scrutinised by the Buying and Merchandising Directors.
6. “I’ll discuss the chosen print and its colours with our suppliers’ design team and request a cad showing what the bra would look like in that print.”
A CAD – computer aided design mocks up the fabric onto the shape of the bra to give us an idea of exactly how the bra will look before we recieve a sample.
7. “We’ll also look at the features of the bra around the print and choose a beautiful embroidery as well as decide on the design and colours of the elastics, wing meshes and bows etc”
These are all of the trims and components that make up the Taliah bra. These are sent to us on a sheet to approve for sign off. The components include the wing mesh, straps, lace, material and bows. Prior to this we’ll have recieved a sheet of ‘lab dips’ – these are three swatches of material (for the wing mesh) that have been dyed to best match a pantone colour reference that we’ve given. We then look at these under a lightbox in order to select exactly the right shade of material.
This is a sample of the embroidery that we decided to go with for the edges of the Taliah bra. The lace embroidery came from a different supplier to the fabric, so we have to liaise with different suppliers and bring it all together to make sure it all works perfectly and looks the very best.
8. “After all colours are chosen and agreed – I’ll request an actual sample of the bra set.”
This is the exciting bit. It’s a great moment when the sample arrives in the office and you finally see your ideas and hard work come together for the first time.
9. “Once received – I’ll then present the bra set (along with all the other bras I intend to buy) within a seasonal team sign-off meeting.”
Here, any final changes or amendments that need to be made to the bra are discussed before it goes into production.
10. “I’ll place the official order with the supplier… and then excitedly await the arrival of the style both online and in our stores!”
This is where our job is finished - at this point we hand over to the stores and marketing to make the most of this gorgeous new style. Then we wait eagerly to see how customers like it and see how well it does.
Miss B’s Taliah bra arrives in the post…
As you can see, the buying process is often very long and involves lots of different people, processes and stages. But once it’s all complete we get to add a gorgeous new style to our collection. So next time your buy your new bra, think that many months before the piece you were wearing was just an idea in someone’s head – the promise of an eye catching print that would one day become the Taliah bra.
Lots of love
Miss B x
Sweet as Candy: Miss B’s Lingerie Treats
Posted on May 16, 2012 by Miss B in Boux Avenue, InspirationCandyfloss pink, sherbet lemon, strawberries and cream…is your mouth watering at the thought of this season’s sugar frosted shades too? From pastel shades on the catwalk to candyfloss hair trends and a sweet treats baking revival, it seems we’ve gone candy crazy this summer, and I can’t get enough.
Take Mulberry’s fun and frivolous SS12 campaign for inspiration. Melted ice cream, giant rock candy and colourful hundreds and thousands provide a delicious backdrop to their equally tasty handbags. Yum.
But don’t be fooled by the idea that pretty shades only work on summer dresses – this season’s candy coated trend will work just as sweetly on your underwear. Think candy cane striped bras, pretty sets in sherbet lemon and a whole array of candy, bubblegum and rose pink coloured sets. After all, even if you’re watching what you eat you can indulge as much as you like in these sweet treats…
Candy Cane
The appropriately named Lollie bra and knicker set is totally delectable. The red and white stripes remind me of those gorgeous candy cane sweets that belong in proper sweet shops and look - like all the best sweets do – too good to eat. You are already loving this style, with sets flying offline and out of our stores too. It’s in a lovely soft t-shirt cotton fabric, which is so comfortable, and it’s a too-good-to-resist £16. Talk about a tasty treat.
Sherbet lemon
You may have already read about my lemon crush this season, but after seeing your amazing response to bras in this summer-fresh shade I decided that I had to include it in my candy round up. Plus, sherbet fizz and lemon bon bons are some of my personal favourite treats, and any excuse to buy some for ‘inspiration’ purposes is welcomed with open arms (or mouth…)
The Georgia bra is the sweeter of the two - a slightly softer shade of primrose, this pretty balconette bra is perfect for underneath strappy tops and dresses. The Chloe bra in lemon is the zestier of the two, and its plunge shape will give you a hint more cleavage, which is great if you’re wearing something with a lower neckline. It’s also just £18 and goes up to a 40G , two things which always bring a smile to my face, almost as much as lemon bon bons.
Sugar, sugar
You know when you’re having one of those really bad days and a mid-afternoon sugary treat makes everything better. Well, it’s the same with underwear y’know? Especially if you happen to choose something in a gorgeous shades of bubblegum pink or marshmallow like above.
The beautiful lace Dana bra goes up to a 40G and will look great teamed with this season’s soft pastel shades, or it’s even perfect for adding a hit of sweetness underneath your everyday look. I’ll be indulging my sweet tooth with the Camilla balconette bra and shorts – the featherlight chiffon reminds me of wispy candyfloss and days at the seaside.
The best thing about these candy treats is that there’s absolutely zero calories in any of them (unless like me you’re sampling treats as well as shopping) so go ahead, indulge, overspend, make a meal out of them - after all there’s nothing like a sugar rush from new underwear.
Lots of love
Miss B x
Meet the Girls at Boux HQ: Buyers Admin Assistant, Rosie Thomas
Posted on May 11, 2012 by Miss B in Boux Avenue, Meet the team
She’s got a thing for skinny jeans, loves a teapot and has a collection of big knickers (don’t we all). From working in our Cardiff store to landing a dream role at our Head Office, meet Buyers Admin Assistant Rosie Thomas.
My job title is… Buyers Admin Assistant for Nightwear and Single Knickers
I studied… Costume Construction for Stage and Screen. I always loved fashion and costume and I wanted to learn how to make garments. I was always into textiles and art throughout school so this course was made for me. I loved interpreting designs from paper to reality and I particularly loved sourcing all the fabrics and designs.
I got my job through… After leaving Uni I found freelancing a challenge and I wanted a permanent career. I knew I wanted to go down the buying route so I purposefully looked for roles within retail with the intention of getting experience. When Boux came up it was perfect as it was a new brand and I saw the perfect opportunity. I got offered a position in the Cardiff store at the very beginning, and I pushed for work experience in the Buying dept. I then had an interview a couple of months later and I got offered the BAA role.
In a typical working day I…. My duties vary from processing orders to sorting photo shoot samples, being involved with fit sessions, prepping for meetings and learning about the development process for a range and a season. When I first started I came in when AW12 development was nearly complete, but now we have started building for SS13 and its exciting to be involved from the beginning of the trend development and to see the ranges start to form.
Rosie at work
The best thing about my job is… Being in the company from the beginning has been exciting, especially as I started from the beginning in store and progressed to Head Office. It’s exciting to watch the company grow and be a part of the success.
Rosie’s desk is adorned with print swatches, pantone references and her favourite vintage card
My advice to students who want to get into buying would be… Focus on what it is you want and put yourself in the position to gain experience. It is very competitive and the more people you meet along the way, the more likely you are to make an impression and to have an opportunity to achieve it. Remain positive, sometime things can take a while but you will get a role you want if you work for it.
My signature style is… I’m not sure I have a signature style… I buy what I like and make it work. I tend to combine something patterned with something plain, I love a print or a pattern! I have a lot of nudes and pale colours in my wardrobe, and a lot of brights for summer.
My hero piece for this season is…. I think it would have to be skinny jeans. I know it’s quite standard, but they work with EVERYTHING for daytime or evening and there is so much choice of colour and print!
Rosie teams her skinny jeans with gorgeous studded leather pumps
My favourite hang-outs are… As I haven’t been in London that long I am still overexcited and am still discovering new places. Depending on my mood I either want somewhere I can go and dance, or somewhere I can spend the whole evening eating and drinking with friends.
I can’t live without… My friends! I Also take my favourite purse with me everywhere and love my Miss Dior perfume.
Some of Rosie’s prized posessions
My favourite magazine is… Vogue! And occasionally National Geographic.
For lunch I eat… This is the daily debate from the moment breakfast has finished! It depends on the weather, if it’s raining I like something heart warming like soup or a Innocent veg pot, and if it’s sunny I love a salad.
On my iPod right now is… I have playlists for every occasion, even breakfast! I love Basement Jaxx ‘Do Your Thing’ in the morning to wake me up. I also overplay my chill out music like Zero 7 and Morcheeba.
As a special treat, I love to… Go away somewhere for the weekend. I also I love tea! I used to work in a tea shop and I got a bit of a collection of loose leaf teas and vintage china tea cups!
Rosie’s tea-pot collection
My new season picks from Boux Avenue are… I love the Cote D’Azure Bikini. I think a Jubilee pyjama party needs the Brittania vest and pant! I am also a massive fan of the Chloe Bra in Lemon.
What would Miss B find in your lingerie drawer? I have lots of Boux sets in there. I loved the vintage inspired collections we had in from the launch. I also have really big knickers, comfort is important!
Why is underwear so important to you? I love lingerie! I completely agree with what Lou said on the last Q & A about how it can set your mood for the day (or night). Also I think some garments really do require certain underwear and a good strapless bra is essential.
Inspired by Louboutin: Inside the Wardrobe of a Shoe Addict
Posted on May 9, 2012 by Miss B in Boux AvenueLast weekend I hot-footed it to the recently opened Christian Louboutin exhibition at London’s Design Museum. Charting his twenty year career as a shoe designer, the exhibition showcased a huge collection of Louboutin’s most alluring and magical designs. Instantly recognisable from their red patent soles and vertiginous heels, a pair of Louboutins have become one of women’s most lusted after purchases.
The exhibition was, as I expected, utterly fabulous. With hundreds of pairs of his creations on display and even a dancing hologram of Dita Von Teese in a pair of his super sparkly stilettos, Miss B was in shoe heaven.
Inspired by this I asked the girls in the office to bring in a pair of their most favourite shoes. Instantly talk turned to which pair everyone was going to bring in – ‘My Vivienne Westwood heels!’ ‘My brand new Louboutins!’ – and then I heard one voice saying she wished she could bring all 200 of hers in.
200?
My ears pricked up and I knew that I had to find out, and see, more. The voice came from Boux Avenue Brand and Marketing Director, Lorna Perrin. Having always noticed her impeccable taste in footwear I had a feeling that she had a pretty serious shoe candy hidden away. So, with a little bit of sweet talking I managed to persuade Lorna to let us inside her vast collection. I knew it was going to be pretty exciting, but what I discovered was even more fabulous than I could have imagined…
Inside the Wardrobe of a Shoe Addict
Lorna’s vast shoe collection
Tell us, exactly how many pairs do you own? 206, including over 140 pairs of heels, a lot of boots, and a hand full of flats.
What will Miss B find in your shoe collection? A lot of Prada and Miu Miu heels – they just do classic with a twist so well which is my personal style, a couple of pairs of brightly coloured, 5” high heeled Jimmy Choo’s, some new Rupert Sanderson courts found in Bicester Village last week, my Chloe wedding shoes, my favourite Surface to Air gladiator wedge sandals, some well loved grey suede and silver leather Lulu Guiness knee high boots, a pair of weird but wonderful Martin Margiela tan ankle boots, a pair of Marni platforms, the perfect black ankle boots from Alaia, my faithful Lanvin black ballet pumps and a pair of killer black suede Gucci boots, some handmade Spanish wedge espadrilles (in brown, navy and black!)…and lots of high street shoes from Topshop (esp for bright fun shoes and good leather boots), French Connection (some great classics with super high heels) and Miss Selfridge (something a little bit different – including a vintage pair of Miss S 70’s snakeskin platforms), plus a handful of Havianna flip flops and Converse trainers.
Lorna’s favourites: black silver studded Miu Miu heels and black suede Surface to Air wedges
Do you have a favourite pair? 2 pairs – as above my black suede Surface to Air wedges and my Miu Miu black silver studded heels (which I had flown in from Italy as they only sold the brown version in the UK!)
Why use the stairs when you can use them to display shoes?
Do you think there’s a connection between women’s relationship with shoes and lingerie? Yes, both can make you feel sexy and give you an inner confidence which only you really know about and feel – which is why getting the right shoes and lingerie is so important – it’s also crucial to get the fit spot on – in both situations.. nothing worse than uncomfortable lingerie or painful shoes!
Killer black suede Gucci boots
Why is a good pair of shoes so important to you? I think I view shoes as mini works of art that I can own and wear – some really are just amazing, with such intricate workmanship and design flair – and I’m guessing that’s why shoe greats such as Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin have both been given their own exhibitions to show this off – I’d happily put some of my shoes on display in my house if my husband would let me! I think also to me shoes make an outfit – I have a very classic style, skinny trousers, pencil skirts with silk shirts and blazers – and love nothing more than putting on pair of ‘look at me’ shoes to finish the look off.
Orange patent Jimmy Choos
Tell us a story about one pair of your shoes?
My wedding shoes…
I found and fell in love with the Chloe heels before I found my dress – the heels had a black suede block heel (needed for a garden wedding), nude toe strap and a vintage style diamante ankle strap.
It was love at first site when I saw them on Net a Porter – BUT when I went to buy them – my size had sold out everywhere – managed to get the Chloe store to fly over the only pair they had left in Paris (1 size smaller than I needed but felt it was worth the risk.) It was a little bit of a Cinderella moment when I went in to see if they fitted – fortunately they fitted perfectly and the sales assistant almost cried he was so happy for me!! (well that and the fact he was probably on commission!)
Lorna in her beloved Chloe wedding heels
Lorna on her wedding day, Rupert Sanderson heels and two tone Prada heels
Is there anything still on your wishlist? A pair of Louboutin Décolleté 100 patent pumps in black and nude obviously, and a pair of Manolo Mary-Janes! My current lust-have are a pair of Gucci metallic leather and suede sandals (below).
PS – after a hard days work – I’m afraid as much as I’d love to say I slip on my marabou mules – you’re more likely to find me relaxing around the house in my Boux Avenue dove bow pump slippers…
Miss B was quite impressed to say the least… I’ve got my eyes on the orange patent Jimmy Choos - what about you? Leave me comment and let me know your favourite below.
Lots of Love
Miss B x
Bare Essentials Photoshoot: Behind the Scenes, Part 1
Posted on by Miss B in Boux Avenue, Peek-a-Boux
Before I found my feet in the world of fashion, I’d always wondered what went on behind the scenes at photoshoots of brands I loved, and what it took to produce all of the glossy images I saw on their homepages and in stores. Now I’m in the privileged position to know exactly what goes on behind the scenes, and I love sharing my photoshoot diary with you.
As you’ve probably heard before it’s not all glamour - it’s very hard work, long days, lots of waiting around and usually tired feet at the end of the day. But, seeing it all come together and getting the perfect shot is what makes it all worth it – it really is the most rewarding part of my job.
So from 8am til 2pm – here’s what happened on set of our Bare Essentials shoot…
8 am. Arrive on set, Creative Director Kim briefs the team
The story board is where it all starts
Using a giant white board, Boux Avenue Creative Director Kim J Palmer creates a story board by pinning up some inspiration shots and a collection of looks that need to be achieved during the day. This is a great time to discuss the final hair and makeup looks, a schedule for the day and to make sure everyone is working towards the same thing.
9am. Models go into Hair and Makeup
The hair and makeup station: where the magic happens
Wrapped in fluffy white Winnie waffle robes, our three stunning models head into hair and makeup to get the day’s looks created by the team.
The model’s get the ‘Bare Essentials’ look
Makeup artist Claire Ray explains how she is achieving the Bare Essentials look using a combination of cream blushers, highlighter and very little powder for that really fresh faced look. She applies rosy tints to the apples of the cheeks for a fresh flushed look, which looks gorgeous without being too much.
The models wore Chanel’s Jade Rose nail colour
All the girls’ nails are painted with Chanel’s Jade Rose colour, a beautiful and glossy nude shade that’s totally on trend for summer, as well as being the perfect match for our nude bras. Amanda, another member of the makeup team, tells me that this colour looks very expensive and chic when worn and works equally well on long and short nails. I also quiz her for a top tip for the perfect manicure – she tells me that she shapes the nail according to the shape of the cuticle for the most natural look. I’ll definitely be using that one!
10am. – 2pm. Morning shoot
It’s all go on set with the whole team, including the photographer, stylist and our Brand Director all working together to get the right shots.
Busy on set
The wind machine is blowing, the hair stylist on hand and the music is turned up to full volume. Jessie Ann does her thing on set in the nude backless strapless bra - the set is buzzing and everyone looks on as each model takes her turn in front of the lens.
Creative Director Kim selects the best shots
The morning goes by in a whirlwind made up of 6 outfit changes, 12 bottles of water, 3 bananas, 2 apples and a lot of coffee. After a productive few hours it’s time to sit down for lunch before the rest of the days shooting.
2pm. Lunch…
Find out what happened in the afternoon of the shoot in part 2 of Bare Essentials: Behind the Scenes later in the week.
Miss B xx
See the final Bare Essentials shoot and feature
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