From The Straits Times    |

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As the Salon International de la Lingerie in Paris kicks off, the organisers of this international lingerie trade show have revealed some of the key trends to expect from underwear in the Autumn Winter 2014 season. One thing is certain: the new lingerie collections will be sexy, or even kinky, yet ultra-glamorous and refined.


Aubade’s new “Belle en Cavale” corset collection combines sexy transparent fabrics with complicated lace-up details. ©Aubade

Even more traditional lingerie brands are expected to join the “erotic glam” trend in 2014. But as the organisers of the Salon International de Lingerie are quick to point out, the “erotic” side of the new collections has nothing to do with the more trashy, porn-inspired aesthetic seen in the early 2000s. The new trend is more about glamour, subtlety, and suggestiveness than about vulgarity.

Suggestive lingerie


Cadolle presents a line of jeweled lingerie in lace, satin, and beads. ©Cadolle

While some brands are timidly exploring the realm of seduction, others have crossed over into full-fledged eroticism, accentuating the most alluring curves of the feminine form: the bust, breasts, neck and back.

The new erotic-glam trend is perhaps best summed up in the fashion sense of Burlesque strip tease artist Dita Von Teese, known for her complicated lace-up corsets and other sexy yet refined undergarments. The style is echoed in Aubade’s latest corset line, “Belle en Cavale” (“Beauty on the Run”), and in the new “Geisha” collection from Cadolle, which spans the gap between jewelry and lingerie, with pieces in lace, satin, and beads.

The return of the push-up bra


Chantelle introduces its innovative “moulé-brodé” bra, designed to be both sexy and functional. ©Chantelle

Of course, sexy lingerie implies generous curves and enticing cleavage, so we can expect a comeback for the push-up bra, which was somewhat left behind in recent years in favor of more natural silhouettes.

While worn mainly by those with less ample breasts in the past, push-up bras will be accentuating breasts of all sizes in 2014, from B to G cups, as more and more generously endowed women are shedding their shyness. Another notable trend is that women no longer want to choose between support, volume and seductive style: today’s lingerie shoppers want underwear that is both sexy and functional.

Inevitably, lingerie brands are presenting new collections to respond to these new demands. Chantelle has presented its “moulé-brodé” bra, which has a sexy transparent effect but molds or sculpts the breast into a round shape for better support. The French brand has also introduced push-up bras available in cup sizes up to G in its “Barocco” line. Finally, Maison Close, which mainly sells triangle bras, is also trying its hand at push-up bras, with at least one piece in each of its collections.

The Salon International de la Lingerie takes place at Paris Expo at Porte de Versailles in Paris from January 25 to 27, 2014. – AFP RELAXNEWS