handmade lingerie

As someone who works day-in, day-out in the lingerie industry, I see a lot of underwear that looks very much the same. But part of the reason I stay so interested is that about once a year or so, I’ll stumble across an independent brand that’s just so utterly and refreshingly different. This year, it’s Elyse On Mars.

Handmade in Málaga, Spain by Bohemian Soul Lingerie, these pieces have some of the most fabric I’ve ever seen on a nightwear garment. Just metre upon metre of fluid lace, chiffon or cotton voile that drapes down to the ground and puddles around your feet.

I love that even after almost a decade of blogging about lingerie, I am still discovering new styles to covet. One shape that I’ve been seeing rather often lately is this type of bandeau bra with underwires that are separated from the overlaid fabric, and visible through it.

I am delighted to be delving into my local Barcelona lingerie scene today by introducing you to another fabulous indie lingerie brand: ai!culotte by Paula Botana. This ethically-produced, slow-fashion label creates underwear which comes in vibrant colour schemes and uses fun and unexpected combinations of prints.

Alice Acreman Silks isn’t the type of brand I usually feature on the blog; it’s not a lingerie label, but rather a fashion and furnishings one whose designer just happened to turn one of her signature printed silks into a cami set. And isn’t the result just delightful?

I particularly enjoy the colour scheme here, which feels both playful and luxurious. Ruched lilac satin wraps around the neck and ribcage, connected by a multitude of draped, metallic cords that cover (well, partially cover!) the upper chest and bust.

I have been a Patreon supporter of Maude Nibelungen for 3 months now, as well as for 5 months back in 2019. If you aren’t aware of the brand, Maude Nibelungen is a Canadian-based knitwear designer who creates incredibly unique lingerie designs using knitting techniques and interesting fibres.

SADA by Sarah is a relatively new brand to come to my attention, but that I hope to see featured a lot more in the years to come. Designer Sarah Dawson creates her signature pieces in Brooklyn, New York, after realising her passion for designing intimate apparel while studying the city’s Fashion Institute of Technology.

Have you ever been so excited to receive a parcel that instead of tearing into it the moment it arrived, you actually waited a day or two, because you wanted to savour the anticipation of knowing you were about to unwrap something truly special? That’s how I felt when my Love & Swans package arrived.

I’ve been following Primrose & Pixie for years now, ever since I first discovered this “lingerie and sleepwear for modern daydreamers”. The designer behind the brand, Sarah Richards, creates beautiful, unapologetically-girly lingerie inspired by nature, fairy tales, magic and Gothic styling.