Day Four: Sexy Chic in Paris

You may be saying to yourself, "How could a trend in lingerie be sexy chic?" Isn't that an underlying theme for everything designed in the panty world? Au contraire mon frère! There has been all kinds of interpretation of this provocative styling. There are lines that are dedicated to sweet, fun, basic, romantic, classic, or trendy. The good news is, every designer put a version of the sexy chic in their line. The idea is to seduce the eye without being vulgar.

Menswear has also been a big push because stats say 62% of guys undies are bought by women.

Menswear has also been a big push because stats say 62% of guys undies are bought by women.

This fun interpretation with hand cuffs was genius on Aubade's part. The ad campaign Aubade uses in French is called lessens in love. This ad says "Double Check His Attachment". Flo, the male model in the ads was there to sign autographs as well as to show off the new line. Do you think Jeanie and I are having any fun?

Life at Sol just isn't complete without tights. So ... guess what lovely things Le Bourget did with the trend?

The last 2 little numbers are from a new company we found on the last day of the fair. Both are special in their own ways. The first is Revanche del la Femme, a new collection of bustiers from Germany. The other is my special love: Silk. It is a line out of Lebanon called Lala Rose. I am shown here in the Hollywood sexy chic gown and robe, but she does lots of looks in both long and short styles.

Enjoy all the glam! Ladies, let's make our lives just a bit more sexy just for ourselves!

 

XO,

Cindy

Day Three: What's cool in Paris

 Well, let me start with the weather. It snowed more the week we were there than it has in most Parisians' memory.  

The weather was sort of a coup for the folks that plan SIL ( the largest lingerie fair in the world) because the theme for the show was snow.  They went all out this year.  Every person associated with the fair was dressed in white and could have fit right in as a local Colorado girl. (maybe just a little more chic) 

We were greeted by stilt walkers dressed all in white. We soon found out that the costume could inflate to make them look like huge snowmen.  

The snow ballerina from Aubade stopped to say hello to Amanda and to give her a preview of the new male model for their new men's line. ( just a picture on a card, but wait 'til you see him!)      

The Nordic trend was in everyone's line as well.  Not a big surprise that SIL knew the trend was coming since it had been planned by forecasting companies two years ago.  It takes about two years for the laces and fabrics to go from imagination to product.  The designers visit the fabrics portion of SIL which is located in the same building but this section is called Interfiliere Paris. www.interfiliere.com

 Even our Paris tights from Le Bourget had a fun interpretation. Le Bourget actually did a combo with the Nordic theme and the ceiling of Galleries Layette ( http://www.galerieslafayette.com), the world famous department store. Take a peek!

Galeries Lafayetteare is celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the glass ceiling and had Le Bourget make a special design.  You have to check out this website of the glass ceiling.  It is amazing!
http://www.360cities.net/image/galleries-lafayette-paris#729.48,-84.11,70.0   

See you tomorrow for my other favorite trend from SIL!

XoXo,

Cindy

Day Two in Paris: Flowers & Food

If there is one other thing that I love as much as panties, its flowers.  For me, Paris is just magical when it comes to all the flower shops. I can barely make it a block without wanting to pop into a shop just to inhale all the lovely fragrances.

We are always so lucky to have our apartment company greet us with flowers but halfway through the week Jeanie and I pick out another bouquet. 

This year  it was Moulie' on Place du Bourbon. http://mouliefleurs.com/ We left with stargazer lilies, freesia and huge amaryllises.  So cool to walk home with a big bundle of flowers wrapped in brown paper.  

No trip can be complete without special dining experiences.  

This year we tried out a new restaurant on the recommendation of Marc Metzger.  We loved Citrus Etoile http://citrusetoile.com/ We were well taken care of and really... A restaurant that decorates al in orange.  My thing gals. 

 

Next if you haven't had chocolat chaud at Angeline's http://www.angelina-paris.fr/ , y'all get in there.  Jeanie and I stopped in on our way to the Empreinte store and had lovely breakfast omelets and crouque Madam to accompany our hot chocolate.

My last shout out was the udon restaurant that Jocelyn found for us. www.kunitoraya.com/. Kunitoraya was just a block away from our apartment and was incredible.  There was a line from 12pm until  they closed every night.  We tried the beef curry and the duck.  Amazing.

I could go on forever but really let's get on to the pretty panties and fashion shows.  Tune in tomorrow... 

Xoxo,

Cindy

Day One in Paris: Becoming French

 It is always such a joy to see my sister tear up when we spend our first day in Paris.  She is such a Francophile (French lover for those wondering) that she nearly bursts on arrival.  I must admit, I too have grown very fond of Paris as the years of traveling to the SIL fair have grown to 10.

For each of us there is something very special.  I adore all of the divine lingerie and I think Jeanie just loves the language, architecture and everything about the city of lights. While we are there we transform ourselves into Parisians.  We speak quietly, eat divine food and walk everywhere.  We pride our sense of transformation to such a degree that we are delighted when a local ask us for directions. 

I can't wait to share all of the special moments we had together last week. Stay tuned for  fun Paris topics this week in the  blog...  neat insights for fall/winter 2013 fashion collections and trends, restaurants, shopping and more!

Bon Jour all my Sol girls 

xoxo,

Cindy

An American in Paris: SOL Girl Amanda's first time in the City of Lights

SOL's newest buyer Amanda talks about her trip to Paris with SOL:

Check back soon for Jeanie and my take on this year's trip to Salon International de la Lingerie in Paris! 

xoxo,
Cindy

SOL Takes Europe by Storm: 2013!

It's that time of year once again! This year's buying trip first brings us to Schellebelle, Belgium. This gorgeous little city is home to Van de Velde, the company responsible for some of your favorite brands:Marie Jo, PrimaDonna, Twist, and L'Aventure. 

Check out our Facebook page for up-to-the-minute updates, sneak peaks, and our miscellaneous finds during our travels! 

The next step on our European adventure? Paris, the City of Lights! Our agenda includes visiting vendors and attending SIL, Salon International de la Lingerie (plus some seriously amazing food and wine!). And don't get me wrong -- I love LOVE Denver but Paris steals my heart every time I visit!

Au revoir!
Cindy