baby's on fire, better throw her in the water

All photos by Marikavera.

Lingerie is almost always sensual, but rarely conceptual. Marika Vera's diverges in this respect, serving up both eroticism and feminism in equal measure.  Her eponymous first lingerie collection was named for the 19th century novel, Venus in Furs, the story of a man who becomes enslaved to a woman.  The pieces give off the same sense of Victorian sensuality portrayed in the book (which happened to give masochism its name), and are all about simultaneously concealing and revealing, with lightly layered silk panels that open up in not-so-discreet slits.  Vera gives the wearer the entirety of the power, and her pieces are both feminine and delicate, while remaining modern, elegant, and entirely in control. Any subject would be entirely enslaved.

-Tiffany

Shape Up!

Last season, Cynthia Rowley got a ton of attention for her collaboration with Roxy, which unfortunately appears to be a one-time project. I missed out, but luckily, she's taken those body-con shapes and streamlined silhouettes, and translated them into a new bodywear line called Get SLIM. The small selection of pieces appear to have all the practical slimming effects of bodyshapers and control top underwear, without looking anything like the embarrassing grandma-style-girdles that are currently on the market. I imagine these will be perfect for the upcoming holiday season and all of the feasting involved. If you're as lazy as I am (I'm the human equivalent of Garfield the cat), these might be a decent alternative to going to the gym...

-Tiffany

Higher Than The Stars

All photos by Tom Hines.

If you read this blog on a regular basis, you already know that I'm a lingerie addict. I probably have enough underwear to go for at least three or four months without doing laundry, much to the chagrin of my husband who always has to take the laundry initiative. One of my favorite lingerie lines of all time, The Lake and Stars, just emailed me their Fall lookbook, and even though it's already gotten some major blog love, I can't help but share it again. If you aren't familiar with the line, designers Maayan Zilberman and Nikki Dekker create perfectly modern undergarments which are finished with classic details. The result is lingerie that has all the loving qualities of construction found in vintage lingerie, while departing from traditional shapes and designs. For Fall 2010, they have made their first foray into hosiery, with a number of crotchless stockings that highlight the wearer's derriere, as well as gorgeous metalic gray tie-dye group. Here are some of my favorite images from their lookbook--or at least as much of it as I can show without getting my blog shut down (Blogger/Photobucket seem to be decidedly against bare butt cheeks!). Enjoy!

-Tiffany

Double Trouble

Urban Outfitter just keeps on killing me with their collaborations. They recently added my favorite lingerie line, The Lake and Stars, to their list of ongoing collaborators, creating a lower priced line called Double and Brass. The name refers to when a tightrope walker would simultaneously play a musical instrument while performing, and became a Victorian expression for taking on a second job. Even though the sister line might be more youthful, and less expensive than the original, it is hardly inferior in quality. The collection features the same beautiful details you will find in The Lake and Stars, such as grosgrain and necktie hook closures, and zigzag stitching along the seams, in addition to possessing the same fun, cheeky flair. The pieces will arrive in stores on May 10th--I cannot wait to get my hands on some of these bra tops and rompers!

-Tiffany

Ces Soirées-là

The Heloise corset with two-inch spikes jutting from the hips

Since holiday season has started, my inbox has been filled with invitations to store parties and shopping specials. Last night, I stopped by Rogan's Ladies Night to say hi to Elizabeth, before heading over to Agent Provocateur to celebrate the launch of their new demi-couture line, Soirée, and view the collection presentation. What I expected to be a crowded party turned out to be a very intimate gathering, with about thirty of A.P.'s best customers (aside from myself, ha) sitting in a salon style setting. Each of the elegant pieces were paraded past the audience on models built to bring out every lingering body-insecurity you might have buried away, while the well-versed P.R. team described the rigorous handiwork that went into the creation. Highlights included the Heloise corset, studded with a plethora of two-inch metal spikes shooting out from the hips, the Fabiana sheer jumpsuit with detachable pants, and a completely open "playsuit" made out of Swarovski crystal chain. While those surrounding me debated on which piece to have custom-fit to their measurements, I watched as covetous audience member. Although I wasn't one of the lucky ladies having my measurements taken after the show, A.P. did include a nice pair of side-tie panties in the goody-bag, so I didn't feel quite as dejected about the lack of cash/20-inch waist.

The Garinia lace underwear set, crop optional, but suggested

The Elysia evening gown with plenty of cutouts is meant to be worn both inside and out

The perfectly tailored Billy jacket

The Fonda playsuit, which comes with a set of pasties

-Tiffany

New Things

Mini boater hat, $12 from H&M.  I love this silly little knock-off of the Marc Jacobs Spring 09 squashed straw hat.  The real version is currently on sale at the MJ store for around $100, which was really tempting, but two seconds after I tried it on, the elastic band that secures it to your head snapped off.  Maybe I just have a really huge head, but I think this means it's a bad investment.

I finally got my new Canon Rebel Xsi in the mail today, and have been spending the entire afternoon trying to read the dense instruction manuals etc. I have a ridiculously short attention span though, so instead of getting through it all, I thought I would play around with taking some test pictures around my apartment of a couple of new things I bought this week.  Naturally, Christina bought most of the same things, so you'll probably see them incorporated into our 66S outfits in the future.  Speaking of which, you can expect a lot more quality outfit shots, now that I have my new camera.  It's going to take a few weeks to figure out all the functions, but I'm already totally impressed with how much better it is than my crappy (now broken) point and shoot. If anyone has any suggestions, or camera tips/tricks, please share!


I picked up this VPL bra and underwear set at the sample sale last week.  I just love the flash of neon pink, not to mention the fact that it's super comfortable.  Christina and I are planning on wearing the top to Six Six Sick tonight.

I picked up this Clu patchwork tank at The News sample sale this weekend for $10. I was mainly buying presents for other people, but it was so cheap I couldn't resist.

This braided hair band from Topshop would be super easy to DIY, but I had to have it immediately so I shelled out $20 (not cheap) for it anyway.  My husband saw me wearing it and thought I had a cute new hairstyle, but completely freaked out and wouldn't talk to me when he found out it was fake.  Christina got the same one in blond!

-Tiffany

Seeing Stars

I've always been somewhat of a lingerie fanatic. For special occasions (ha), I have a drawer stocked with plenty of froth and frill-adorned Damaris and Agent Provocateur, and recently I've become a big fan of the pretty, but more pared-down designs of VPL and Araks, which are perfect for lounging around in. That's why I can't believe I've been missing out on The Lake & Stars for so long, when it strikes the perfect balance between the uber-sultriness and femme details of the first two lines, with the tomboyish comfort and ease of the second two lines (underwire, begone). Based in Brooklyn, and designed by Nikki Dekker and Maayan Zilberman, the line was named after a Victorian euphanism for a women's prowess in the bedroom. Although I can hardly imagine the staid gentlemen of yore whispering pruriently of "the lake and stars," it makes for a pretty name that is certainly appropriate for the lingerie, which is almost too beautiful to keep in the bedroom. Here are some of my favorite pieces from current and previous seasons, most of which are available on Shopbop.

-Tiffany