Freshpair Blog: The Underwear Observer

You’ve probably all heard, but here’s the latest buzz again. Dita von Teese has signed on with Wonderbra to design and model three new lines of bras. Von Teese (top) is the latest in a long line of international beauties including Eva Herzigova (middle) and Adriana Karembeu (bottom) to have modeled for the iconic push-up bra brand. Known for her Classic Hollywood look, Dita’s new designs will be inspired by 1940s stylings and vintage lingerie.

So okay, she’s known for her burlesque dancing skills - can she design bras? I’m thinking yes. The woman has great personal style and even has her own expansive collection of lingerie. She also looks very put together and “supported” whenever she’s out or on the red carpet (especially in the definitely-need-support dresses she’s always wearing), so she probably knows what it takes to make a stylish yet functional bra.

She says, “I’ve been passionate about beautiful lingerie my entire life, so to team up with Wonderbra, a brand that is known for undergarments of exceptional quality and beauty is a great privilege for me, and I am immensely proud of the collection. I really hope that with this new range I can share my passion for sensual, wearable lingerie that will add a touch of glamor to people’s everyday lives.”

The much-hyped designs, dubbed “Wonderbra by Dita Von Teese”, are expected to debut in France and the UK by September. No word yet on whether or not they’ll be making their way into the U.S.

And come on, other celebrities have attempted to expand their horizons in more potentially disastrous ways. I vote yea on this one.

I lucked out and caught part of the recent episode of The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency that featured the Andrew Christian swimwear line. I have one thing to say about it: HOT. If you didn’t get to see it, here are some clips from the show from Andrew Christian’s site:

http://www.andrewchristian.com/gallery-janiceshow.htm

Watching it reminded me how much I dig the Andrew Christian underwear line. Most of the styles have a sporty edge to them. These briefs and trunks are so fun, it’s like wearing a super-cool track jacket under your pants. And even if no one sees it but you, you know it’s there.

If I’m headed out to watch a World Cup soccer match, I like to keep my allegiances to myself but the perfect way to support your team of choice while you keep your hand close to your chest is with underwear like the Andrew Christian Italia Trunk.

http://www.freshpair.com/Andrew-Christian-Italia-Trunk-9013I.html

Or perhaps you’re a Brasil fan. No need to fret. Andrew Christian has a line for you, too.

http://www.freshpair.com/Andrew-Christian-Brasil-Trunk-9013B.html

My favorites are the most recent releases with cool graphics and hot colors. These are the underwear I want to wear when I’m heading out to a club and I know I’m going to get down with some dirty dancing (and you know what I mean) with neither Patrick Swayze nor Jennifer Grey anywhere in the vicinity. Nothing against the original 1987 flick or anything. But I’m beyond that stuff. It’s child’s play.

Here are a couple styles that make for great dirty dancing in the new millennium!

http://www.freshpair.com/Andrew-Christian-Medallion-Brief-9036.html

http://www.freshpair.com/Andrew-Christian-Gothic-Eagle-Brief-9026.html

OK, so what now? Go watch those crazy Janice Dickinson clips and then love yourself anyway even though you don’t look like any of those models! And go out dancing. That’s my suggestion. It’ll make for a good night anyway!

Hi! It’s been awhile. I got stuck in holiday mayhem, but I’m back.

I caught this picture of Avril Lavigne sporting her jeans a little low to show off the unmistakable waistband of her Ginch Gonch underwear. And I can’t quite tell from that angle, but I think I have that very same pair! Well, almost that pair!

We all remember the Britney underwear(less) fiascos from last year and the pictures of her crotch that everyone probably wants to forget. But in case you were in outer space for the past couple years and completely missed it, there are a few blogs that still have the pictures of all four, yes, we got that right, all four crotch-exposing incidents that involved Britney Spears underwear that she forgot to put on.

http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2007/08/britney-spears-no-pants-the-return/

All of this business catching celebrities with their pants down got me thinking about what types of underwear our favorite stars wear.

We’ve all seen what they wear on TV, and in case you haven’t, here are some samples.

Justin Chambers as Alex Karev on Grey’s Anatomy wears the Calvin Klein 365 Tank.

http://www.freshpair.com/Calvin-Klein-365-2—Pack-Tank-Top-U5607.html

Even though they’re not exactly underwear, America Ferrera from Ugly Betty is often seen on the TV screen sporting her pajamas and one of the recent favorites was the Calvin Klein Kara Stripe Woven PJ Pants (and the great thing about these is that you don’t even have to be ugly to wear them).

http://www.freshpair.com/Calvin-Klein-Kara-Stripe-Woven-PJ-Pant-S0971-KS.html

Ivanka Trump has been spotted recently in a pair of the uber-hot Le Mystere No. 9 Scarlett panties.

http://www.freshpair.com/Le-Mystere-no-9-Scarlett-Panty-7439.html

But now for the fun part. What kind of underwear would you want to see your favorite stars wearing? Let’s just start with Brad and Angelina. I’m going to peg Brad Pitt for a brief guy. Not your average, everyday tighty whitey brief, but something that has more of a save-the-world, all-American movie-star-cool aesthetic. I’m going to say he’d go for something eco-conscious and low rise (and it would definitely show off his lower abs). The DKNY Eco-Tech Hip Brief would be right up his alley. It’s made out of a bamboo (the fastest regenerating plant on earth – how do you like that, Brad?) and cotton blend and doesn’t even bother with a functional fly. Face it, Brad Pitt would just pull his underwear down. I can’t see him bothering with threading the little flap when he gets to the stall.

http://www.freshpair.com/DKNY-Eco-Tech-Hip-Brief-53620.html

And what about dear Angelina? It’s hard not to imagine her in something sexy and ridiculously revealing, but I picture a stark, reasonable side of her. And no, I’m not going to put her in a 3-pack of Hanes high-cut bikinis, but maybe something like this. Sleek, seamless and laser-cut for a flawless look. Sounds about right, doesn’t it? The Calvin Klein Naked Hipster for Angelina Jolie.

http://www.freshpair.com/Calvin-Klein-Naked-Hipster-F2637.html

How about Johnny Depp? Given that these days he fancies himself something of a rocker as well as an actor, I think he might be the guy to go for the racy (while still classy) looks in underwear. The Australian brand DT Underwear looks like it’s right up his alley. And here’s a look for him, the Ming Po Low-Rise Brief.

http://www.freshpair.com/DT-Underwear-Ming-Po-Low-Rise-Brief-DT59N.html

I could picture actors and rock stars in underwear all day long. But if I do that, I won’t get anything else done. So tag! You’re it. Feel free to post comments with your star underwear ideas!

No, we’re not reverting back to the fifth grade with that title, but pictures of The Bachelor’s Andy Baldwin getting ready to run in nothing but his underwear might make you want to squeal like a little girl.

Exhibit A:

Andy was in the city of Kona on the scenic Big Island of Hawaii for the Kona Underwear Run, the traditional light-hearted precursor to the grueling Ironman Triathlon World Championship, held yearly in Kona. Just FYI, the race consists of three endurance events: a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim in Kailua-Kona Bay, then a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride across the Hawaiian lava desert to Hawi and back, and ending with a 26 7/32 (42.195 kilometer) mile marathon along the coast of the Big Island, finishing on Ali’i Drive.

There were tons of other people there in their skivs getting ready to run as well. Talk about having guts! Or not having a gut, for that matter. These people are in good shape, and rightfully so. I think I’d be finished after just the swimming leg of the Ironman. Check out this video of the infamous underwear run posted on active.com!

If you’re thinking about training for a race yourself, or just hitting the gym or yoga mat more often during the week, check out these great items for the active soul:

Women, it’s time to get some support and lift from your sports bra with Champion’s Double Dry Seamless Underwire Sports Bra. There’s no need to have the chest of an 8 year old boy when you’re working out, and on the other hand, just because you’re more well-endowed doesn’t mean you can’t run with the best of them! You’re working hard to improve your body, so look good while achieving your fitness goals. For complete comfort and support, try Enell’s renowned sports bra. This thing has popped up everywhere, from Drew Barrymore to Oprah Winfrey.

Ladies, there’s nothing worse than that sweat crescent you get on your behind after a hard workout, right? Wave goodbye to that not-so-welcome friend with Puma’s complete line of active underwear.

Guys, you know you sweat like dogs in heat when you’re working out, which is great because that means you’re working hard! But you want to stay cool and dry, so try Baskit’s ventilated underwear with mesh and wicking technology. They actually pull the moisture away from your skin so you can be comfortable during your workout and focus on your breathing and form instead of your sweatiness. Socks are also one of the most important and most overlooked part of your workout wardrobe. Prevent athlete’s foot and provide your feet with proper cushioning with Puma and Wigwam socks.

In this month’s V magazine, there was an entire section dedicated to some of our favorite underwear companies like 2xist, Calvin Klein, and Adam + Eve. It’s an amazing issue. First of all you have FOUR different covers featuring Mr. Pitt:

This is a blown up version of the full cover which looks like this:

That should give you an idea of what the cover actually looks like. V is an amazing magazine that really stays true to downtown culture, high fashion, and celebrity culture. Take a look at their site so you can see the awesome quality of their photographers, etc:

www.vmagazine.com

Anyway, so what really caught my eye was this huge spread of the powerhouses behind some great underwear labels that Freshpair admires and promotes. Take a look:

Since the magazine is very oversized, it was difficult scanning the pages, so though it may be cut off a bit, you get the idea…

And last but not least…

I hope all of you guys go out and buy the issue so you can read the article and about all the brains behind the beef!

Though it may have looked like Ms. Electra was chowing down on a Big Mac backstage at the 2(x)ist fashion show but I admit that looks can be deceiving. I will be the first to admit that these photos are not airbrushed…girl can WORK it. The whoola hoop was a cute touch which definitely allowed Carmen to bring out the exhibitionist from within..not that it was probably that hard. Take a look at some of the press that you know she’s got hanging on her refrigerator preventing her from grabbing that Cheez Whiz:

Ahh the good ol’ hoola hoop. Such a good old-fashioned pastime. A bit of Americana…

I had the pleasure of joining the folks at 2xist for their hot fashion week runway show in Chelsea last night and let me tell you, what’s hot is hot! If you’ve never had the good fortune to attend an underwear fashion show, you’re missing out. The underwear is only half the fun! In most shows, you don’t even notice the models because you’re transfixed on the clothing. But with underwear, it’s the combination of what the models are wearing and what they aren’t wearing that makes the show stand out. Did I say hot?

It was a bit crazy on the way in the door. Lots of people and only a certain number of seats! It was like a massive game of musical chairs, with a lot of standing room. But people were pouring in those doors to get a sneak peek at what they’ll all be wearing this time next year underneath their clothes. Plus, a special guest! Unbeknownst to me at the onset, there was a secret celebrity performance scheduled for the midpoint of the show. Ahhhh, the perks! I was enthralled!

Finally, everyone sat down or found a good place to stand and the show kicked out its first models onto the runway. They started tame. The first couple guys came out in the basics, mostly white, boxer briefs, t-shirts and socks from their Luxe Collection. Then the real fun began. The new colors in the 2xist Bold Collection. Choice pieces from the Carbon Collection and the Fusion Line. Plus, a sneak peek at the new 2xist Track Collection. I’ll be looking out for that when it comes in Spring!

But the pieces that were most impressive were the ones from the new Liquid Cotton Line. Basically, this stuff has the newest technology in ultra-fine stretch fibers. Not to mention, it’s so strong they can dye it any color, so it matches the fabric and you don’t get that shine effect when it stretches. I know that sounds like technical jargon. But I can’t wait to get my hands on some of this 2xist Liquid Cotton. They’re blending it with water-grown Shanghai cotton so it will feel like someone has just poured cotton over your body.

Sign me up!

Oh. And you thought I’d forget, didn’t you? The secret celebrity was Carmen Electra. She joined an act of Cirque-de-Soleil style dancers on the stage and did some pretty amazing dance acrobatics inside a suspended Hula Hoop. Pretty cool. What’s cooler, though, is one of the models told me (Carmen don’t hate me for spilling your secrets) that she was backstage waiting for her cue with a Big Mac and a Coke in hand. So now I know! The secret fuel of the stars.

So I stumbled upon this awesome lingerie designer that’s been around for a couple of years but has recently gotten a lot of attention and has been spotted around New York Fashion Week. Her name is Jean Yu and she launched her signature line of slinky, silky, senual lingerie back in 2001 with the opening of her atelier 31=1 on Crosby Street in SoHo. Take a look at some of her stuff:

What I really think is interesting is the lack of seams in her underwear. This is a big trend right now. Seamless underwear, or making bras and panties with as few seams as possible allows for a more streamlined look, less bunching, and more comfort. After all, no one likes stitching poking into them!

I also find a lot of her clothing very architectural. The lines remind me of those of a building and the draping of the white silk dress and victorian bustline is very sculptural.

Here’s Hilary Swank at last year’s Golden Globes in a Jean Yu little black dress with award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman:

Here’s one of Jean Yu at this year’s CFDA Awards (presumably wearing one of her own designs…)

There are so many great new underwear designers that don’t get enough attention, so I wanted to make sure all my readers got a nice bit of underwear insider knowledge.

Hello from the desk of the U.O. I’m back! I took a little break at the end of August and did some traveling to see what underwear people are sporting as I made my way from the East to West Coast. Needless to say I made lots of friends and freaked a few people out when they didn’t quite understand the importance of this research. Anyway, I’m back in New York just in time for fashion week and tonight’s Calvin Klein party celebrating 25 years of underwear domination. It’s hard to believe that it’s been that long since Calvin Klein unleashed his brand of sexy, minimal underwear upon the world and totally revolutionized now people think about underwear. Calvin Klein made underwear fashionable and spent money advertising his classic white briefs that when combined with Kate Moss and Mark “Marky Mark” Wahlberg, proved totally sexy and unstoppable. Personally, I rarely travel without my Calvins, and yes, I remember watching those commercials with Marky and Kate Moss and thinking, Wow! People in their underwear on TV! Genius! Maybe that’s when I realized my calling…dunno…Anyway, let’s take a little stroll down CK memory lane…

And don’t forget the commercial! Yes, I’m sure you all realized at this point what a bright future and promising actor Mark Wahlberg would turn out to be…LIARS!!

I better get some comments on this one!!! Let it out people!

In the recent years, I think that Calvin Klein has become more tame, but I have to say that the current ads with Djimon Hounsou are very classic in composition and style. Check out his new “Steel” campaign!

Hilary Swank, along with Hounsou, will be the co-hosts for tonights fête, which will include plexiglass boxes above the bar filled with scantilly-clad Calvin Klein enthusiasts (models). I’m not the biggest Swank fan…I mean she’s no Kate Moss…Ok that better warrant a comment or two! Give it to me people! Anyway, I’ll be reporting from NYC during fashion week so please keep posted. In the meantime, go pull out your old baggy Calvin Klein tighty whities, remenice for a few moments, chuck them, then get online and give yourself a Freshpair underwear makeover.

Bye for now. Love,
Me, Hilary, Marky Mark, Djimon, and Kate

(Yes, that is Ms. Swank, though I feel like she’s wearing hair extenstions.) Comments?

Stephanie Seymour was a huge model in the 1980s, and is probably most known for her spreads in Sports Illustrated as well as her work with Victoria’s Secret, though she did grace the cover of Vogue in 1994, the same year that she gave birth to her second baby boy. Here are some shots from her days of glory:

Now at 40, Seymour is as smokin’ as she ever was, even after four kids, she’s kept heads turning. In fact, WWD recently announced that Chantelle, a long-established French lingerie brand, has recruited Seymour as the new face of their company. Established in 1876, this venerated lingerie house has continually offered the finest quality lingerie in luxurious fabrics and utmost quality. Chantelle is sold in over 50 countries–making them the leading French atelier of women’s lingerie.

The new campaign tag line for Chantelle is “Beyond Beauty” which according to the creators of the campaign:

“Beyond Beauty refers mostly to inner beauty. At age 40, it’s not only the appearance, but also the character, the self-assurance and the maturity of a woman that makes her look and feel beautiful.”

Well, there you have it. Chantelle will debut its new ad campaign with Ms. Seymour in all the big September fashion magazines. Wait, you don’t have your copy of Harper’s Bazaar yet?! Ok, well don’t worry, I had my intern run out and we scanned one of the new ads for you so you can take a peak at what Ms. Seymour looks like in the Africa lingerie line by Chantelle. Ta Da!

I think she looks amazing. Good choice, Chantelle!!