Aubade - Lessons of Seduction Video

For the Love of Aubade

In the words of the SOL Girls:

Cindy: "Aubade is the greatest because is accentuates female sensuality in a way the women enjoy wearing and men can appreciate!"

Kirsten: "Aubade makes every American girl feel a little bit French!"

Krista: "Aubades are my flirty, sexy bras. Whenever I wear something like my La Dame de Flanders it is an opportunity to step out of my box and wink at the world, even if the world doesn't know it and my bra is safely hidden under my black t-shirt."

Jordy: "The very first lace bra that I tried on was the red Asako demi bra (and matching boy short). I had worn beige molded bras my entire life (not cute ones), so the moment I put that on, I knew exactly why SOL and their fantastic vendors existed: to make women feel beautiful, supported, and completely sexy underneath their every day wardrobe. Thank you, Aubade, for the stunning pieces you create and the passion behind the products that brighten up my life--I am forever changed and immensely grateful!"

Kendall: "Of course my Aubade bras make my little girls all roundy and feminine, but their matching panties are irresistible! I will often get a collection, simply because the panty is so fantastic. An Aubade set really makes it hard to put clothes on in the morning!"

Tracie: "I love Aubade because it beautiful and comfortable. I always think of being in Paris when I'm wearing an Aubade set."

Helen: "I feel empowered when wearing Aubade.  I know it is made with a woman in mind who is confident, independent and beautiful, inside and out."

Jocelyn: "The Aubade Geisha in green was the first set I bought when I started working at SOL six and a half years ago. Aubade is always beautiful and there is such attention to detail – why have a simple strap when you can have a grosgrain strap with a hand cut bow? Season after season they have the most beautiful embroideries, laces and color combinations. They are sexy and playful, while providing great support and shape."

Janelle: "First Date?  Aubade.  Important business meeting? Aubade.  I choose it whenever a boost of self-assuredness can help."

The last Pain au Chocolat....till next year!

Our last day was quintessentially Parisian: A Pain au Chocolat from Angelina (a delicious stop for hot cocoa and lucky for us, one of our closest bakeries to our apartment), meandering through the right bank, paying homage to Hermes, Chanel, Laduree and a quick pass by the Hotel Crillion. (Bella requested an image of the balcony where Hannah Montana woke up to Paris). And then we continued our meander along the Seine.

We found an 8pm concert at Theatre des Champs Elysees the night prior and agreed to give up a delicious dinner for a taste of culture. After grabbing our tickets we agreed that a quick pre theatre cocktail was in order. How perfectly serendipitous that Plaza Athenne was right next door. 

 A lovely glass of rose champagne, delicious bar snacks and a kind bartender who was happy to take our photo.

It turned out to be a perfect choice. We watched Lise de la Salle, a 22 year old wonder, beautifully move her fingers for 2 ½ hours straight to a rapt audience mixed with every type of person possible.  After 4 incredible encores, the audience was finally satiated and went home.

Nearly home!  Looking forward to bringing all the love of Paris back to each of you.

Love, Cindy & Jeanie

Guest Post from Paris!

Hi there, fellow SOL lovers! 

My name is Ananda De Martini and I'm a Product Development student at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. However, first, I am a SOL customer!

I remember vividly being 14 years old and already having a big chest. Can you imagine at that age - you already feel awkward - and then I prematurely developed? My mother took me bra shopping at the mall and there were only "Granny Bras" available for in my size. I started crying hysterically; I was absolutely humiliated!

Then, someone recommended SOL. Cindy became my fairy bra mother! When I first met her I was still in tears... but she guided me into a SOL fitting room and I was in heaven from that moment on. She brought me the most beautiful bras I had ever seen...in my size, but appropriate and pretty and fun for a 14 year old. 

My Fairy Bramother and me.

Thus began my love of lingerie. I like to say I grew up with SOL. The SOL Girls were there for every big moment of my teenage life. First Date. Dances. Prom. Graduation.

After high school I could not imagine doing anything besides pursuing an education and career in fashion and design so that I might someday get to surround myself with lingerie. I moved to Los Angeles to follow my dream, but I am always in touch with Cindy - I know she shares my love of beautiful things that make you feel fantastic.

Recently, while visiting home, she told me about her upcoming Paris trip and Le Salon International de la Lingerie that she'd be attending. When she suggested I go too I jumped at the chance!

Cindy and I see the new Aubade line for fall. Best. Day. Ever.

The trip has been the opportunity of a lifetime and quite the eye opener! First, it is huge. As in two pavilions full of lingerie huge! It is overwhelmingly exciting to see all the different exhibitors. Some of the brands that stand out with innovative design are Andres Sarda and Aubade. They both have exquisite collections that I cannot wait to get my hands on!

I find it easy to be inspired here with so many creative people as well as people who have a true passion for the art of lingerie. Although I've met many wonderful people, one of my favorite experiences was getting to see a bra being made. Did you know it takes 45 separate pieces to create ONE bra? Fascinating.

  

The expert craftmanship that goes into a Lise Charmel bra.

This expo has been a wonderful experience and a great introduction into the lingerie industry. I can only hope to attend every year. Thank you for reading. I've enjoyed guest blogging for SOL!

Au revoir,

Ananda

Inspiration on every corner...

Incredible day! We started with Lise Charmel. Nicolas and George are always gracious hosts, New York or Paris! We were reminded of just how gorgeous Spring Lise Charmel looks but, the fun of Summer is just minutes away. Pictures of the collections weren’t allowed, but suffice it to say, the laces, as always, are magnificent! We were able to photograph an exhibit in their booth: 2 of the seamstresses who construct samples were at the show demonstrating their craft – sewing together the 42-58 pieces that make up a Lise Charmel bra. Galloons of lace and the inspiration for the collections are shown as well.

What is a galloon you ask? It is the width of lace before a pattern is cut from it to become a part of a bra.

 We zipped off to Le Bourget to bring a quintessential slice of Paris back to Denver. Great News All! More Paris tights on the way and incredibly sexy stockings for Valentine’s Day and beyond!

For instance – Ooh La La!!!

Our perennially favorite stop – spending time with Van de Velde, our Belgian friends that bring the Daisy to our doorstep – oh and all the other incredible items from Marie Jo, Prima Donna, L’Aventure and Twist. Innovations and supreme colors and laces abound! Sneak peek for FW2011 –

but don’t despair, the Daisy in royal blue will grace SOL’s doorstep soon enough! Thank you to Dirk and Inge for a fantastic afternoon and providing Ananda with great opportunities for an inside understanding of Van de Velde’s design world.

There are still many of the Van de Velde family actively involved in the business, including Prima Donna brand manager Elsbeth Van de Velde. Family businesses rule! – We are reminded of just how much fun they can be when we get to spend 3 days working together – the sisters in Paris ahhhh.

A busy, congested ride on the Metro delivered us to a sublime dinner at La Societe in St Germain des Pres with Inge Van Hecke, US country manager for Van de Velde. Lovely conversation, exquisite cuisine (fois gras, oysters, escargot, steak tartarte and perfect wine and coffee!) and off to bed we go but not without some Django Reinhardt on Itunes – if you are in the mood for a Paris moment:

Step One
Download Nuages (by Django Reinhardt)
Step Two
Pour a glass of red wine
Step Three
Snuggle up in some divine SOL silk and a Cashmere Robe (we unintentionally happened to bring matching silk gowns . . . and robes too) and you’ll channel a bit of our moment – don’t forget your slippers :)

 

Sleep tight!

More from La Ville Lumiere!

Yet another day of breath-taking beauty here in Paris!

Remember how last year we declared a "Dame de Flanders" national holiday? We honestly didn't think Aubade could top it this season...but top it they did, and how! Suffice it to say, we had better start deciding what day will be the official "Cocoa Blues Day" because it is simply stunning.

Aubade is the first company to use an extraordinary new technology that enhances lace - you're not going to believe how much more beautiful it can be! Just look.

It comes in three amazing colors inspired by the "love circus" and a French actress, Romy Schneider.

This is part of the Romy collection, shown in black.

Cindy, Ananda and the head of design for Aubade walked the inspiration area of the Aubade booth...we learned all the details of some amazingly beautiful collections that will be released for the holidays of 2011. We can't wait to show you!


After a full day of swooning, oohing and aahing, we headed to cozy and enchanting restaurant, Le Comptoir with one of our favorite friends and colleagues, Mariela Rovito, the co-owner of Eberjey.


After a dinner of Moroccan Tajines and a toast to good friends, beautiful cities and fabulous lingerie with a crisp white wine, we are ready to tuck ourselves in and dream of a day filled with more lovely panties tomorrow.


Sweet dreams! Love,
Cindy and Jeanie

Paris, je t'aime!

Live from Paris!

We are just leaving the Andres Sarda show and it feels like leaving Heaven! The show had a very retro cool Mad Men/Hitchcock type inspiration that was perfect for the occasion. Andres Sarda is based in Barcelona, and they just celebrated their 50th Anniversary on Monday. 

The company is a family business that originated making mantillas...those beautiful lace scarves women wore in Spain over up-do's. Here's a picture of Jackie Kennedy wearing one of their mantillas in the 1950s...

 Tres magnifique, non? 

So, when the mantilla went out of fashion, Mr. Sarda had the idea to start creating lingerie, and lucky for us all he did! He just turned 80 years old and still oversees much of the company. 


This is Vicki - she's their gorgeous model - we've seen the new lines on her for the past five years, she's fantastic!

Not sure if it's the beauty of Paris or the new Andres Sarda collections, but we're fairly breathless over it all...or maybe we need more champagne!  We're headed into the VIP Gold Lounge now!

The other special treat on this trip is one of our long time customers is in Paris too. 

Cindy started fitting Ananda when she was a teenager and much like Cindy, she fell in love with lingerie and the beauty and the magic of the laces and designs.  She ended up going to college for clothing design and has decided she would like to be a lingerie designer.  She is Paris making contacts and we met up with her so we could  introduce her to a few people in the industry.  You'll hear more from her and her experiences next week as she will be our Guest Blogger on Tuesday!

Miss you!

Love, Jeanie and Cindy

Bonjour Paris!

Today, my sweet sister and I are headed to one of my favorite places in the world...Paris!  It's time for the Le Salon International de la Lingerie! It's the big lingerie show that will show us the latest trends for next fall, and I couldn't be more excited.

Besides getting to be with Jeanie in one of the most beautiful cities on earth, we will see all the newest, boldest, most amazing lingerie that we'll choose from for you!  All the big designers will be there, and they really pull out all the stops for this show.


Also? Have I mentioned Paris restaurants? Oh, the food is to die for as much as the fashion is. And the boutiques! And the flea market! And the Eiffel Tower! And the gorgeous people!


Can you tell I'm a little worked up about this? 

Would you like to come along with us?  We'll bring you along - virtually! We'll be blogging from the show and streets of Paris on Saturday, Sunday and Monday...so stay tuned! Your Paris vacation awaits!


Au Revoir!
Love, Cindy

Confession: I'm a matcher.

I can tell you the exact moment I became a matcher. I was 16 years old and was in the natural habitat of the 16 year old girl. The Mall. It was Southglenn Mall and my friends and I wandered into a big department store called Fashion Bar. Suddenly, the clouds parted and angels began to sing...I was in the lingerie department and I saw racks and racks of pretty bras...with MATCHING panties.  Heaven.

From that day forward, I have always purchased the exact matching panty for every bra I own. If they had sold out of the panty but I JUST HAD TO HAVE the bra, I would search out the closest color and style match so I'd have a set. 

Would you leave the house wearing one stilletto and one sneaker? That's how I feel if I'm wearing a panty that doesn't match my bra.  They're made in sets for a reason. They belong together. 

When I'm travelling - especially in New York - I not only wear matching sets, I choose my most beautiful. Why? In case I'm hit by a taxi, of course. Who wants to be embarrassed in front of a cute paramedic? I'd be mortified if I was laying in the florescent lights of an emergency room in a blue bra and red panty. 

When my husband and I were young and backpacking through Europe, I left my matching sets back at home. We were staying in hostels and I was petrified they might get stolen. I remember the first night there, as we got undressed...my husband was shocked! It was the first time he'd ever seen me not matching.

Another favorite European moment is when Jeanie and I were shopping in Paris. As we waited in line at Galleries Lafayette, we couldn't help but notice the woman in front of us. In her mid-60s, she was glamorous and everything you picture a French woman of sophistication to be. What was she buying? Several bras - with a matching panty for each...but not only the panty - she also had the matching garter belt! My hero.

Want to know a secret that will make your whole day better? After you shower in the morning, put on a matching set to do your hair and makeup. You will feel fierce and unstoppable the rest of the day. I do it every morning - and it's a wonderful ritual to remind you that you're beautiful, strong, capable. Sexy.

So. I want YOU to discover the joys of matching! How? SOL is offering a matching panty promotion this month!  If you bought a bra, any bra, from us in 2010, come in and get the matching (in-stock) panty in January for 25% off. Even if you bought a panty with your bra, come get another one for 25% off.  (The discount applies to phone orders too!)

Admit it, you wanna be all matchy-matchy like me!

Love, Cindy