Body beautiful: Local designer’s feminine, curve-hugging underthings long overdue

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/05/2015 (4009 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I’ve often written about how refreshing it is to wear something that makes you feel like the prettiest girl in the room — something no one else owns, something unique, something that defines you.

I think that something is even more special when it’s locally designed and especially personal when you know you are wearing it for yourself. That’s exactly what came to mind when some super-sultry, sexy photos popped up on my Instagram via @luckygirlpopup, featuring the pretty lingerie by March & August.

“Designing underthings was not something I thought I would be doing,” says March & August designer Alesha Frederickson. “I have a background in apparel design, but I learned how to make undies a couple of years ago, and I haven’t stopped since then.”

We ‘Peg City gals are lucky she made that decision — the feminine lingerie by March & August is the kind of thing that can make you feel gorgeous while lounging around your abode watching a rom-com avec a glass of bubbly, enjoying a quiet evening solo or snuggling up with that someone special in your life.

Reminiscent of something ’50s pin-up Bettie Page might have worn, March & August lingerie is meant to accentuate the curvaceous form of a femme fatale.

“I became completely obsessed with making undergarments and how they sit and work so closely with the body,” explains Frederickson. “Our bodies are really impressive, and it’s so nice to slip into something comfortable yet beautiful and to appreciate all that our bodies can do.”

Picture, if you will, high-waisted panties with sheer panels, paired with delicate, sheer bras adorned with lace and ribbon, or hand-dyed, silky, matching panty-and-bralette sets.

“I think what people love the most is that they are comfortable, yet specially designed. I had a couple people tell me that it’s so hard to find soft bralettes that have unique design elements but are just easy to throw on,” says Frederickson.

What I find most intriguing about the March & August underthings is the way Frederickson has seamlessly mastered creating and sewing a garment most designers wouldn’t dare to undertake.

How many times have you ventured into a mainstream undergarment store only to find the underwire digs into your sides, the panties just don’t seem to sit right on your tush or — heaven forbid — you can’t find your size (let’s face it, last time I looked in the mirror, a Vicki S. supermodel wasn’t staring me back in the face).

“I have never been a lingerie person, because I felt like it was always trying to push or contrive my body into something it was not, or make me look like I was a big gift wrapped in a bow. It always made me feel awful. I love that my pieces are gentle and they appreciate (my body), not tell my body it’s not good enough,” says Fredrickson.

A sentiment I think all of us women can totally appreciate.

March & August is available at marchandaugust.com and at Edward Carriere Salon.

 

Got a suggestion for a future column or trend worth following? Email Connie Tamoto at connietamotofashion@hotmail.com.