An army of empowered breast cancer survivors, pregnant fembots, plus size models, female skateboarders, dominatrices, burlesque artists and more took the stage at the SS15 season of Lingerie Fashion Week® last weekend in New York. The pioneering event’s fourth consecutive season showcased 25 designers from around the globe, joining the stage from Istanbul to Poland, Chile to Japan, the UK to the U.S.
The Suite debuted at this edition, a Holiday + Spring Press Preview housed on-site and running concurrent with the two days of shows. Brands included Affinitas & Parfait, Andrée Ciccarelli, Fruit of the Loom, GemPicket, Harlow & Fox, Layneau, Lola Haze, NaïS, Nevaeh Intimates, Play Out Underwear, Secrets in Lace, Soak Wash, Suzy Black, The Giving Bride, Tia Lyn, Toru & Naoko, You! Lingerie and Zumruduanka.
Ones to Watch once again showcased emerging designers from around the globe including Bella Petite (U.S.), Bunny Blanc (Poland), Suzy Black (U.S.), The Lilith Collection by Olivia Danielle (U.S.) and Toru & Naoko (Chile); while the sister Ones to Watch: British Invasion exhibition exposed emerging UK labels JANAY Intimates, Kocolala and StephieAnn.
Returning for a second season, pin-up powerhouse Secrets in Lace showcased their collection as well as Dita Von Teese Stockings by Secrets in Lace, followed by BRADELIS NEW YORK which offers luxury lingerie for everyday wear, combining the best of American function with Japanese craftsmanship.
A multi-designer Made in the USA Runway Show opened day two, exposing independent designers Andreé Ciccarelli (New York), Lola Haze (New York) and The Giving Bride (New York/Chicago), pictured below.
Fellow Lingerie Fashion Week veteran You! Lingerie stormed the runway with an army of Fifth Element inspired pregnant models-turned-fembot warriors, showcasing the brand’s fashion-forward maternity lingerie and loungewear, and was followed by gender neutral underwear brand Play Out Underwear which displayed its new collections.
Counting a cult following of Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Kesha and Taylor Momsen, to name a few, designer Stephanie Paterek of NYC Sex Trash debuted lingerie-as-RTW concept Love Cage at Lingerie Fashion Week®, via a BDSM-inspired presentation including models-as-dominatrices, a plethora of bondage props, and a masked voyeur.
Closing the season Saturday night, the Official Closing Benefit returned as the only open-to-the-public event held at Lingerie Fashion Week® which was attended by over 300 guests. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this season 20% of all ticket sales went to benefit PinkChoseMe Foundation, a non-profit organization working to educate, uplift and support women whose lives have been affected by breast cancer.
