Dare To Be ~ Marlies Dekkers
I wrote my senior thesis in college on Vincent Van Gogh. The major theme was the impact of vivid color and the intensity of his brushstroke. Was he mad as the pundits claimed? Or did he, in fact possess a confident audacity to defy the artistic traditions of his time and risk acceptance in order to make his own personal statement. My obsession with Van Gogh began in 1970 at The Philadelphia Museum of Art while viewing a retrospective of his work. So it is very interesting that this same bastion of fine art is currently showing another perspective of these extraordinary masterpieces,Van Gogh Up Close. In this exhibition, his creative genius is defined by the individual elements of his work. When we look at the details, we understand their contribution to an entirely new vision of the world.
Just as Van Gogh experimented with painting, Marlies Dekker’s UNDRESSED Collection dares to expose lingerie with a groundbreaking attitude. Not only does it clearly embrace the innerwear as outerwear credo, it presents the bra as a dynamic piece of body art. The bras and panties created for this brand are meant to be seen. What makes them so powerful is not only the bold colors but also that they are engineered for all day comfort and support, with certain styles available to an F cup. Personally, it is a welcome and unexpected addition to my own intimate wardrobe. However, it is the distinct and innovative details of these pieces that catapult these designs into a class by themselves. Witness here the sexy, seamless Triangle Push Up Bra (16291). When Marlies Dekker’s first entered the North American foundations market, her collections were interpreted as edgy high fashion. But dig deeper and you will find a stylish basic with uncompromising fit that is gaining fans in every store willing to take the leap. Sometimes you get much more than you bargain for.

“What Would Life Be If We Had No Courage To Attempt Anything?” Vincent Van Gogh
Available At:

Lida

Inside Story Fine Lingerie
107 Reynolds St., Oakville
905-845-1210

Inside Story II
1900 Dundas St. W., Miss.
905-855-8880
Sherwood Forest Village

Just finished an unbelievable workshop on the history, fit and evolution of the fabulous Marlies Dekkers brand. It was held at their flagship Paris store in St. Germain. I was wearing my favourite Triangle bra and felt right at home! Marlies Dekkers is truly an artist – the best part is she knows how to fit a woman’s breasts like a glove.

My first day at the famous lingerie trade show in Paris has been nothing short of extraordinary! Every year I wonder how will they be able to ‘wow’ me and so far, the collections I’ve seen have been absolutely exquisite. PrimaDonna, MarieJo and Aubade collections were breath-taking…..Fantasie and Freya so very pretty and feminine. The atmosphere at the Salon is very upbeat with fashion shows going on every half hour. Can’t wait to start day 2!

2 more sleeps and I’m off to Paris to see the newest collections, for, believe it or not, the 2012 Fall and Holiday collections! I’ll be updating you from the Chantelle factory and a wonderful workshop at the flagship Marlies Dekkers store where the designer herself will be sharing her creative ideas. Very excited!!!

The Best of Intima Awards
The Best of Intima Awards, for the first time ever, were open to Canadian retailers in the lingerie industry. To clarify, these are like the Oscars of independent lingerie boutiques. Inside Story Fine Lingerie located in Downtown Oakville was nominated in the “European Flair” category. Lida Lisney, owner of the lingerie boutique said this nomination is quite the honour. The awards gala also coincides with the CURVE show in New York City. CURVE is the clever name given to the bi-annual lingerie trade show that Lida makes her yearly pilgrimage to the mecca of lace and knickers to see the seasonal collections. In this case, the August trade show, in actuality, is when the buying for next Spring and Summer 2012 begins. Congratulations Lida and Inside Story on your nomination! Visit Inside Story Fine Lingerie at
107 Reynolds Street and now OPEN a second location at 1900 Dundas St. West in Mississauga in Sherwood Forest Village.

We are proud to be celebrating 8 years in Downtown Oakville
Visit us on Saturday November 26th between 10:00 am-6:00 pm for our 1-2-3 Sale! Buy 1 item at regular price, 2nd item at 20% off and 3rd item at 30% off!
Enjoy light refreshments while you shop

BRAS, BUBBLES AND BLING…….

Bras:  fittings by Lida, Marilyn and Eva

Bubbles: Prosecco

Bling: Michelle Merizzi  – MM Crystal
Gift with purchase.

Sunday, October 16th – 3-6 PM

RSVP is mandatory.  Limited amount of space so reserve quickly. Email kelly@insidestory.ca to reserve your spot

This is my 7th trip to Paris in January.  Every year, I look forward to this beginning of the year tradition.  Every year it gets more exciting.  I never want to leave once I touch down in this magical City of Lights.

I’ve stayed at the same hotel in St. Germain, not a shabby part of the city at all!  The same staff greet me very year as if I am a member of their family.  For the first time this year, I was given a room with an exceptional view of the Eiffel Tower.  Every hour, it starts to sparkle for 5 minutes – absolutely breath-taking!

Over the years, the Salon de la Lingerie, has evolved with the changing economic climate.  This year, the show was scaled-down, but the energy was electric.  It seems, after a difficult recessionary 2009, everyone was highly optimistic.  After all, attitude is half the battle, they say.

As a buyer, you observe the lingerie houses that have weathered this economic downturn intelligently without ever compromising the quality of the fit and structure of their product.
There are quite a few:  Chantelle, PrimaDonna(MarieJo), Simone Perele, Antinea, Freya and Fantasie and Empreinte are the brands that have consistently come up with a mezmerizing collections.  I am confident in their fit because over the years, they have proven themselves.

Seeing the collections on models bring them to life as opposed to seeing them on a hanger.  The atmosphere of a live fashion show inspires and allows me to think of my customer.  After, 6 years, I feel very confident in what the Inside Story customer is looking for in her underpinnings.

And so, I reluctantly leave this beautiful city only to be very excited to be bringing these collections across the Atlantic to the boutique.  Alas, I have to be patient, as the collections I’ve viewed are for Fall 2010!

Then I remember, excitedly, that the Spring collections are arriving as I am flying back to beautiful Oakville.