pantone 18-3224 >> radiant orchid

It's official!  Pantone has officially released their 2014 color of the year as Radiant Orchid.

"While the 2013 color of the year, PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald served as a symbol of growth, renewal and prosperity, Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.  "In invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today's society."

"An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love, and health.  It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm."

Now...I myself am not a fan of purple.  I think that this Radiant Orchid just isn't a bold enough color to be made a color of the year, but that's just me.  That being said, I think this color will match beautifully in weddings that are on top of the latest color trends.  Not to mention, it would look absolutely stunning on a pair of lace underpinnings.  All in all, I will definitely be implementing it into my designs, especially for spring and winter the two seasons I see this color being a huge hit.

The reason it's so popular now and that it's been making splashes across the runway for Spring 2014?  Apparently it's the rosy undertones.  These undertones are doing great things for skin, giving the wearer an extra healthy glow, and I don't only mean the women.  Implement Radiant orchid into both your closet and make-up bags ladies, because it looks great in your beauty regimen as well.

Thoughts on the announcement?  Were you surprised?  Excited?  Loving it?  Hating it?  Leave any opinions in the comments and look out!  Because either way you feel about it, you'll be seeing a lot more of it in 2014.

naughty? or nice?

Apologies for the hiatus, no excuses, that was terrible.  For any of you that read knaked knickers, it's officially moving to be solely orissa's design journal, so check here from now on for all things underpinnings, design, and fashion (but I'll still have a focus on knickers because I just cannot help myself...)

it's christmas time, and that means some rocking knickers are coming on sale.  being a love of underpinnings, i couldn't help posting some of my favorites on the blog, oogling at pretty intimates is just so much fun!  and there are so many options too! both naughty and nice...

take a look at my faves for the good girls >>

<< PASSIONATA >>

$32.00-$64.00 | $13.00-$26.00

    

<< MARLIES DEKKERS >>

$99.00 | $56.00

plunge bra + thong available

<< FLEUR OF ENGLAND >>

172.00 | 112.00

sugar and spice knicker gift sets | 60.00

     

<< MIMI HOLLIDAY >>

coquette | 43.00 - 57.00

plunge, shoulder, maxi bras + classic knicker, boyshort available

<< BORDELLE >>

 webbed thong | 88.00

<< ZINKE >>

$72.00 | $50.00

 and let's not forget the naughty >>

<< FIGLEAVES BOUDOIR >>

$35.00

<< HUIT >>

$46.00 - $110.00

<< LA PERLA >>

$264.00 | $128.00

 

<< AGENT PROVOCATEUR >>

$290.00

<< happy holidays >>

portland fashion week & rachel rector

if you know me at all, you know that i have a ridiculous obsession with lingerie.  particularly lingerie that leans toward the out of the ordinary, but is still classy and charming.  looking through the runway shows at the portland fashion week, there were tons of stunning designers.  that being said, i do believe i found one of my new favorite fashion designers, and she specializes in lingerie.

without further ado, gawk at these rachel rector originals:

and while we're at it, why don't we take a look at her stunning summer 2013 collection??

i cannot wait to see the photos from the PFW runway.  stay close, i'll post them as soon as i can.  and while you are waiting check out her website and blog.

client wedding: ronni jenkins

August 31, 2013.  The Orissa Tallent original debuts for all in the Jenkins wedding to gawk over.  Possibly the most beautiful bride donned the original in San Diego, California.  The bride graciously handed over wedding pics for my design journal.  So without further ado, "The Ronni":

Can't wait to see more pictures of the entire wedding as well Ronni!  Congrats to you both darling!!

kim critchfield photography

three cups . twenty years

I do believe I just read one of the most ridiculous articles of news.  No worries, it is still related to knickers.  The Huffington Post just did a survey of 60,000 women to find that the new national average bra size is 34 DD.  That's right, you read that correctly, 34 DD.  An entire 3 cup sizes larger than just 20 years ago.

Now, here comes my problem with this census.  I have two.

One.  Women out there are being severely mis-informed when it comes to bra sizes.  I myself have found myself in the "lying to make the customer feel better" situation.  About six months ago, I realized that it was about time to get re-sized.  I like to do it about once a year as my weight changes or just in hopes that maybe, just maybe this time I'll have gone up a size.  {we all know that bigger boobs make us feel better, don't make that face ladies...}  Going into Victoria's Secret ( I know, shame) I asked to be remeasured.  For as long as I can remember, I have been a constant 34b, however, I had a feeling I had moved up to a C.  So, I go into the dressing room, get sized up to hear that she thinks I am a 32d.  Uh...Say what now?  Shocked at first, I found that it did fit, and if I could brag to myself that I was a 32d, then I felt kind of amazing.  If I am a D-cup though, then I am a monkeys uncle.  

Two.  Breast implants.  I understand that this is indeed the national average, and this takes into account all boobies, real or plastic.  However, that they took into account fake breasts steams my broccoli just a wee bit.  An average woman does not have implants, and I feel as though putting a 34 DD label as the national average will just further the obsession with breast implants and that a woman needs to have giant knockers to be average.  Next times, lets take the census and ask what they're natural cup size is.

Now for my nod to lingerie makers.  The one great fact of the national size going up is that manufacturers are now making more sizes more consumer friendly!  I know so many women that won't wear the correct sizes due to the fact that they can't get the correct size in fashionable cuts or patterns.  I LOVE the fact that now women everywhere with naturally bigger breasts are getting the attention they need so that they are not only more comfortable, but that they are looking stylish while doing so.  You go ladies!

So, all in all, here's what I have to say about all this: be proud of your breasts no matter what the size or what the national census says.   Whether you are bigger than the average, or smaller, lets all remember one thing, we all know what really matters.  The knickers that cover them.

flats

If you are a designer, you know that at times flats can be the bane of your existence.  This dress was that moment for me.  Generally, I enjoy sitting back and drawing out flats...but good lord, this was torture.

If you happen to be more of a blue print kind of person, you will definitely enjoy these more than the artistic rendering of Ronni's wedding gown.  If you're looking at these, confused as to why I would even display them, it's because the flats are a vital part of the dress making process.  I sent off my flats to the manufacturer and from there, they can take them and know exactly what I'm thinking and how to create a flat pattern.  I love seeing a flat up against an artistic rendering because both parts are so important for a designer to see the entire vision, it's remarkable how dress makers can take this as well and without me even speaking to them they can understand the direction I am wanting to take.  Yeah for flats!!

final Ronni rendering

preliminary sketches

Designing for a client is never easy.  The restrictions it puts on your everyday aesthetic that makes you a designer prove difficult at times, however, that's the world of fashion until you can tell the world what you know to be fashionable!  Which every designer in the world craves and strives for.

My client this time around was Ronni, a 24 year-old who was scheduled for a August 31 wedding while giving me notice of this blessed event back in May....Eeek!  Madness I say!  But.  I would not deny myself such a challenge, and so I accepted and thus came preliminary sketches and renderings.

       

some preliminary sketches

I knew that she desired a mermaid fitting gown, incorporating lace and sparkle.  All while being effortless, comfortable and breathable as it was a summer wedding in San Diego.  Not to mention my bride wanted a more modest cut while still making her feel sexy, because what bride doesn't want to look sexy on her big day??!  As I sat sketching endless designs that I thought would look regal, stunning and take both the guests and bride's breath away, the idea of chiffon pleats making up an entire skirt came flashing through my head.  The idea of an effortless skirt that breezed in the wind caught my attention swiftly and I knew that I had to act upon the idea, and fast.



What did my client and I decide on??  A gathered organza bodice with lace appliques and subtle beading.  A mermaid silhouette with the entire skirt being pleated organza, a modest v-neck line. For a touch of whimsy and romance while still keeping in her modest restrictions, a raglan cut sleeve made out of the same appliques, a nude lining underneath and the lace to come fluttering off her shoulder as a cap sleeve.  Complete with covered buttons down the back to beneath her bum.  Viola.

final initial sketch

rompers...

Okay, so I'm not talking teddies, or body suits, or anything of that like, we're talking strictly rompers.  I LOVE rompers.  Sure, they're a little more difficult to maneuver and fit than a teddy due to the fact that you have to make sure that the length fits your torso (which I realize can be a PAIN) but I adore them.  They're adorably fun and quirky while still remaining sexy.  What exactly is the discriminatory factor between a romper and bodysuit you may ask?  I say that if there's even the slightest sign of a "short" in the garment, it's a romper.  Here are a few of my favorites:

from anthropologie

from marika vera

something a wee bit sexier at bella bella boutique

and my absolute favorite place for rompers, zinke

What do you think ladies?  Do you swoon for a sexy romper?   Or would you rather stick to a traditional teddy?  I mean, you can't go wrong with the classics, I just know that as for myself, I am a definite fan of anything new and flirty in the knickers department.  I love.