Page 64 - AVN May 2016

some including a matching garter, while others feature long-line bras with skirts.
Baci Lingerie is also offering a number of bra and panty sets that will be available in
the coming months, a company rep said.
“We have many three-piece sets that features a lace bra, panty and matching cincher,”
she said. “Many women are not comfortable with their tummy area, so this combination
gives you a two-piece feel that shows a little skin but with some extra coverage.”
Color is also a big trend, the rep said, so Baci has answered by adding pops of jewel-
tone colors to many pieces in its summer collection.
“People are asking for bright colors again,” the rep said. “Corals, bright blues, jewel
tones … anything that makes the pieces stand out.”
At the opposite spectrum of these boxed lingerie lines is an intriguing project called
Tragic Kiss. Launched 7 months ago and now in 10 to 15 boutiques, the inspiration for
the line came to company owner Zia about three years ago. A digital strategist based
in Austin, Zia came up with the brand concept before he even knew what the product
would be. Employing European fabrics, mostly from Italy, Tragic Kiss will offer only six
styles a year. Packaging is a gray brocade with elegant metal hang tags and translucent
storage bags. Most innovative is that each style is named after a character with a very
specific back story. Take, for example, an ensemble with a long-line bra, panties and
garter belt; its character is Charlotte, a speakeasy denizen in the 1920s.
A graduate of Texas A&M with a mechanical engineering degree, Zia went right
into software and brand strategy after he graduated. His digital strategy business,
RazorWire5.com, has done projects for telecom, fashion, home goods and computer
clients.
For Zia, the back stories are as important as the apparel. “I created the brand before
deciding what the sellable product would be,” he said. “The brand is an homage to all
the people I’ve met on my adventures.” But though the concept is king here, Zia asserts
the lingerie is not “second fiddle in any way.” And with panties alone retailing at $75, it
better not be.
“People love their pot!” Stephanie said. “Anything pot related is always in
our Top 3 best sellers.”
Another major accessory that seemed to be everywhere on the ILS show
floor was chokers. Fantasy Lingerie featured a unique take on the item, with
a lace choker that ties in the back with a satin bow and has several strands of
faux pearls that drape down at various lengths. The chokers are paired with
lace panties in matching colors (black or white).
Part of the company’s Risque box collection, the choker sets are meant
to evoke an old English feel, explained rep Primrose Boon. The black set is
named Marie, while the white is named Antoinette.
“When we do new pieces, especially in certain genres, we want to find a
way that we can do it differently than anyone else,” said company rep Leilani
Whitney.
To that end, Fantasy Lingerie entered superhero/geek culture with the
newest additions to the Play bedroom costume line. The Super Sexy (PL
1603) costume resembles a Superman/Supergirl outfit, while the Bad Girl
costume (PL 1604) is reminiscent of Batman/Batgirl and Cat Woman.
Also big for Fantasy Lingerie and the lingerie sector in general is bridal.
“People are not afraid of white anymore,” Boon said. “We have a porcelain
white for items in our premiere hanging line. People are wearing white year-
FEATURE
round. And there are so many different versions of white. Just like there were
50 shades of grey, there are 50 shades of white.”
White is featured in many of the company’s new bra sets, which is also
another big trend in the industry. Fantasy Lingerie offers a variety of sets,
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Left column, the Pastease booth; a blue ensemble from Seven ’til Midnight; nipple clamps from Bijoux De Nip.
Above, top row, new lingerie company Tragic Kiss debuted with six styles packaged in elegant gray brocade packaging.
Bottom, the Hustler Lingerie booth; Ron Jeremy in front of one of the many superhero costumes seen at ILS.