handmade lingerie

As September winds down, I can’t help but feel sad that summer is basically over, and with it those seaside days that make the season so special. Then I realised: why let the beachy vibes fade with summer?

When Impish Lee launched its customisation tool in 2015, it was a totally new concept in the lingerie world – getting to pick your own fabrics and colours, plus make design changes such as adding or removing bows, all without having to spend time communicating back and forth with the designer.

Nowadays, there is a ton of lingerie on the market that draws subtle inspiration from kink culture, whether it’s strappy knickers or bras with attached collars. And while it’s awesome to see these styles trending, let’s not forget about the many incredible, independent designers creating lingerie that is more ouvert in its kinkspiration.

Rapture and Repent immediately caught my eye for its darkly original, fetish-inspired designs. The designer, Monika Cibulskis, first started selling lingerie and accessories while studying fashion at Ryerson University in Canada.

Solstice Intimates is an independent, American lingerie brand based in Arizona. Bright and whimsical, it brings deliciously retro patterns to contemporary lingerie styles. Thanks to their unique designs and their prominent use of velvet, I’ve been a fan of Solstice for a while.

An independent lingerie brand launched in February of 2016, Ellesmere Lingerie has since carved out a reputation for itself in the lingerie blogosphere for romantic designs with a contemporary twist.

When I initially discovered the brand Evgenia Lingerie, my first thought was luxury. The designer behind the brand, Stephanie Bodnar, has an exquisite eye for gorgeous, luxe fabrics. Her pieces wink at vintage undergarments, but she brings a unique modern flair to her designs.

Some lingerie-themed-but-not-actual-lingerie ideas. A great way to treat the lingerista in your life when you’re unsure of their size or preferred style! Many of them are also budget-friendly (prices start from around £5) so they’re perfect as stocking fillers or for Secrets Santas too.

I interviewed Jessica Ding to learn more about her creative process, how feminism impacts her work, and how trying to start a small business while working full time can sometimes feel like a long-distance relationship.

Brighton Lace is an independent lingerie brand based in, you guessed it, Brighton in the UK. With the motto “enjoy being you”, it’s all about celebrating your natural beauty, no padding or push-up required.