Book Description

What do the thousands of images of bras and panties on perfectly sculpted bodies that we see spread across billboards and magazines say about our society?

Many women indulge in lingerie to please men. Yet, since Antiquity, women have always kept lingerie hidden away under outer garments. Thus, lingerie must be more than erotic bait.
Authors Muriel Barbier and Shazia Boucher have researched iconography to explore the relationship of lingerie to society, the economy and the corridors of intimacy. They correlate lingerie with emancipation, querying whether it asserts newfound freedoms or simply adjusts to conform to changing social values.

The result is a rigorous scientific rationale spiced with a zestly humour. And the tinier lingerie gets, the more scholarly attention the authors believe it deserves.

About the authors: Muriel Barbier and Shazia Boucher

Muriel Barbier is a talented postgraduate student at the Ecole du Louvre where she now teaches 17th to 19th century decorative arts. She is also a lecturer at the Fashion and Textile Museum and other UCAD museums and Curating Assistant at the Galliera Museum.
Shazia Boucher is Curator at the Musée de la Dentelle in Calais, and often contributes to exhibitions on fashion, lingerie, and lace.

Synopsis

Authors Muriel Barbier and Shazia Boucher have researched iconography to explore the relationship of lingerie to society, the economy and the corridors of intimacy.

Buy The Story of Lingerie

Koniakow, the 500-year-old village in a strongly conservative southwest part of Poland that produced Pope John Paul II, is almost totally unreachable during wintertime, particularly heavy in terms of snowfalls. For two centuries, the women have hooked thread in intricate crochet patterns to create lace tablecloths and altar ornaments coveted by royalty across Europe. It was an art taught by mothers to daughters, done at home after the daily farming chores were finished, bringing honor and income to the small local population.

Oval or round, made with tremendous patience and skilled tablecloths reached tables of kings, aristocrats, bishops and all those with abundant amounts of money to spend and a desire to live surrounded with splendor and beauty. Koniakow lace decorates tables in Vatican, Buckingham Palace, the White House and many other eminent places.

Then came G-strings. Last fall, some lace makers trying to earn money spun a racy twist to the art, deciding that underwear would sell better than doilies. Since, the town of 3,000 has been in an uproar, neighbor pitted against neighbor over lace thongs.

“Lace making has always been a way for people to earn money here,” says the 56-year-old mayor of the village, “But since the strings started, the community has been divided: about money, about morality, about tradition.”

Some traditional lace makers accuse the renegade lace makers of greed. Others say the thongs defile tradition, are indecent and promote sex. “Our lace graces Polish altars, the office of our president and that of the holy pope in Rome,” says the president of a local craft guild of lace makers who has been working with lace for six decades. “And suddenly, our lace is turning up – I don’t dare say where. How did the lace makers of Koniakow come to this?”

“Times are tough,” say their adversaries in the conflict, “handkerchiefs and tablecloths don’t sell well.”

Lace making in Koniakow began in the 19th century when young women began creating caps of white lace to don after their weddings. Soon after, say lace makers, women in the town began to weave tablecloths, altar ornaments, clergy robe collars and other ornaments that adorn Polish religious and family occasions, as a way to supplement their income. Like heirlooms, patterns and lace needles passed through generations.

During communist times, business was good. The community was supported by the state in official craft guilds and subsidized as a nationally recognized art. Orders poured in from state-run stores, prominent officials wanting to use them to present as official gifts and clergy who used the lace in ceremonies and on their clothing.

Things changed when communism collapsed in the late 1980s. The government subsidies stopped and state-store orders dried up. Borders opened to influence and products from the West. People became poorer as they lost state jobs in the former planned-economy.

The scanty underwear some lace makers already were quietly making for themselves started stirring local debate in June 2004. The suddent shift from religious ornaments to sexy lingerie was noted by major news sources worldwide. Magazines as reputable as The Wall Street Journal, The Chicago Tribune and the New York Times covered the topic and around that time the thongs have began being available online. Each pair can be made to a customer’s specifications of color and design. Although the lingerie is definitely feminine, it stirs interest among men as well, being unique and sophisticated romantic gift ideas.

About the Author:
Maciej Szleminski, Owner of http://SexyLaceLingerie.com, the major online distributor of sexy lingerie made from Koniakow lace. Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Now Christmas is over – that time of year when we spend our time and money on our family and friends. Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching – the time of year to spend time and money on yourself and your lover.

Sexy lingerie is a Valentine’s Day gift that pleases both of you. What makes lingerie such a sought after and much-given Valentine’s Day gift – more treasured than chocolates, flowers, stuffed animals and even jewelry? Lingerie says, “I love you and I want you.” It says, “You are beautiful and deserve to wear beautiful things. I think you are desireable.”

Sexy clothing is not THE only Valentines Day gift you should give her. If your lover is a chocolate fiend then you better get her some fancy chocolates too – and flowers are never a waster, but opt for two or three smaller boquets around the room instead of one big overbearing grouping. Choose different types of flowers – daisies, wild flowers, carnations – with maybe one rose tied with a ribbon. The rose will be romantic and the hardier flowers will last longer. Think about adding a slim book of erotic stories, some massage oil, adult toys or a special piece of jewelry with an encrypted romantic inscription.

Take the time to write a note to tell her or him exactly what it is about your relationship that turns you on. Don’t be afraid to get a little naughty – it will be remembered for many years to come.

From a practical standpoint, it can be hard for guys to know what kind of lingerie to choose or what size to buy. If you make a purchase at a lingerie store the clerks can often help by showing you what is popular or suggesting lines in your price range. They may even have size guides to help, but try to sneak into your gal’s dresser beforehand and check out the size on something similar to what you want to buy.

A short internet search for “Lingerie Shopping Tips” can also give you many pointers and ideas. If all else fails, a gift certificate for a shopping trip date to Victoria Secret can help you make your own decision for her birthday – or anniversary – or Christmas. You get the idea.

Many lingerie stores on the web have people qualified to help too. Try using the customer service or “contact us” buttons on a lingerie website. Usually an honest description of your gal with size ranges or measurements can help the sales person narrow down the selection for you. Most people in the lingerie business are very accustomed to helping men and women pick just the right sexy lingerie outfit from the hundreds of thousands available.

Whatever you decide to do, make it personal. Take time to think about your girl or guy and what romantic times you have had in the past or have discussed as fantasies. You do not have to spend a lot of money to make the day unforgettable. The thought that you put into doing something unique and loving is much more important than the price tag.

About The Author

Copyright 2006 Katie Rose Intimates Sexy Costumes and Lingerie

Katie Rose is the owner of Katie Rose Intimates Sexy Costumes and Lingerie at A fine lingerie shop featuring romantic Valentine’s Day gifts, fantasy clothing, leather and lace and intimate apparel in sexy, erotic, romantic and unique styles – with special attention for the plus size woman and Katie Rose Nights Adult Toy Store featuring toys, novelties, videos and books.

She also owns Katie Rose Kids An online boutique for clothing, toys and unique gifts for preemies, infants, toddlers, preschoolers and moms too. We have baby shower gifts as well as bath accessories, baby slings, books, decor, educational toys and personalized clothes, blankets and keepsake gifts. Perfect for birthday, Christmas, Easter, Valentines or just because.

katieroseintimates.com

kelli@katieroseintimates.com

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