Triumph Inspiration Awards 2011!

Triumph (a personal favourite of mine for lingerie) is a brand founded in 1886 with only 6 sewing machines and machinists, in a barn in South Germany!
Since then, it has grown into the global lingerie company that it is today.

Every year, Triumph hosts the Triumph Inspiration Awards (TIA), and this year it's huge!
Aimed at design students worldwide, the competition is done in two stages; national and international. Winners of the national competition are entered into the international competition where they can win up to 15,000 Euros.
Each year, a theme is given for the entries; this year its "125 years of celebrating women".
A grand final victory is a huge career boost for the winner, and could take them just about anywhere in the industry!

You can win something yourself by visiting the Triumph website and voting for your favourite design from all the finalists. The link to do this can be found here.

1st prize is a trip for 2 to Berlin, and it includes travel, accommodation, sight seeing, as well as a trip to see the grand final of the TIA, to see all the final designs on the catwalk!
9 runners-up will also get a surprise lingerie set from the Triumph collection!
It doesn't take long to vote, and it's well worth it, considering the prizes that are on offer!

As an aside, Cheryl Cole wore last years (2010) Singapore designed competition entry in her video for "Promise This"

Anyway, it's well worth getting over there, if for no other reason than to look at the gorgeous designs thought up this year!

Haych x

Shape-tailored swimsuits - by popular demand!

And so, by popular demand, I'm extending my feature on this seasons swimwear for all shapes and sizes. I've had suggestions of including swimsuits in the feature, so I shall take heed!

I'm sticking with the same categories, as this is in essence an extension of the bikini feature!

Booty Babes


For those on a budget...

This gorgeous red swimsuit by Lepel at Figleaves.com is a mere £35 and comes in sizes 32B to 38FF, making it a must-have for all sizes!

By Mantaray at Debenhams this bikini is £32 and is available in sizes 8 to 18

The Taylor swimsuit by Panache  at Bravissimo is only £45, and is available in sizes 30D to 38G. The stripes around the waist give a 'cinched-in' appearance, and enhances your curves!

If you're going for a blow-out, try these beauties!

By Seafolly, this vintage style swimsuit is £92 and comes in sizes 8-14 which unfortunately, may not be suitable for everyone. It's gorgeous all the same, and can be bought at ASOS.com

Again from ASOS.com this Marc by Marc Jacobs swimsuit is £156 and comes in sizes small to extra large:

Curvy Girls

At New Look this swimsuit is designed by Kelly Brook and costs £24.99. Coming in sizes 32B to 36DD, this is one for all, and with padded cups, a cute design and halterneck strap, what could be better?!

From ASOS.com this swimsuit has detachable halterneck straps and padded cups, and can be yours for £30. It's available in sizes 6 to 14:

This Isla swimsuit by Lepel at Bravissimo is available for £35 and comes in sizes 32D to 38G:

On a bigger budget? Check these out!

The Soprano by Hoola Swimwear at  Bravissimo is £65 but is well worth the money! Again with halterneck straps and underwired cups, this swimsuit also has a bra back fastening!

The Pin Point Oceanus Control swimsuit by Miraclesuit is available from Figleaves and is £134. Available in 2 colours (black and pink) and sizes 16-20 (shame they don't do smaller though)

Sexy Straighties

Named 4 your curves by Triumph at Figleaves, this swimsuit is fully lined to enhance your curves, and is £38. It is available in sizes 34DD to 42E, and in 2 colours:

At Freemans.com this swimsuit is fully lined, and costs £30 in sizes 12 to 28:

From New Look this swimsuit is a halterneck, with a feather print. Priced at £22.99, it is available in sizes 8 to 16:

For those with a bigger budget:

By Ted Baker at House of Fraser this swimsuit is gorgeous! It is priced at £65 and is available in sizes 32 A/B, 32 C/D, 34 A/B, 34 C/D and 36 C/D. Not the best way of sizing, but it really is yummy!

Again from House of Fraser this swimsuit is by Pistol Panties and is priced at a staggering £180. Available in sizes 8 to 14:

Lean Queen

From New Look this Floral Frill swimsuit is £21.99, and is available in sizes 8-12:

By Floozie by Frost French at Debenhams, this swimsuit is adorable! Cleavage enhancing frills and detachable halterneck ties, and a price of only £34 make this a must-have for everyone! Sizes 8-18:

From House of Fraser this swimsuit is by Linea and is priced at £40. It is available in sizes 10-18:

Got more to spend? Try these!

By Seafolley at House of Fraser this swimsuit is £95 and comes in sizes 8-14. With the detailing on the front, this is a must-have!:

Again by Seafolley at House of Fraser this swimsuit is bandeau style, and features crossover straps at the back. It is priced at £90 and comes in sizes 10-16:

And now, the second part of this tailored swimwear post is complete!
This swimsuit section was by popular demand, so I hope it's helpful. I would definitely say to go and check out these sites, as there really are some lovely swimsuits for all shapes and sizes!

Haych x 

The Fitting Room!

A lot of people are put off by the thought of being fitted into a bra in a store, and it took me a long time to work up the courage too!
Your experience of being fitted does depend almost entirely on where you go to be fitted; some will fit you with entirely the wrong size, while some may find you the perfect bra you just have to buy! A lot of people worry about it being awkward, and feeling uncomfortable, but this isn't usually the case, as these fitters are professionally trained and have seen hundreds of pairs of boobs way before you came along!

So if you want a professional fitting, the first thing to do is find a store that offers this service. The best 4 that I (and my bigger-boobed assistants!) have found are:
La Senza
Bravissimo
Debenhams
Selfridges

You should also choose a retailer that actually stocks what you think is roughly your size (to get a good idea, check out my self-measuring guide, coming soon!). If you have a small bust, yet go to somewhere like Bravissimo, chances are they're not going to stock your size!
Curvy girls, choose Bravissimo and Debenhams, as these sell fantastic ranges for larger-breasted women.
'Little women' can choose just about anywhere, as long as that store doesn't cater solely and specifically to the larger sizes.

Unfortunately, sizes do tend to differ between shops, though this should absolutely not be the case. In most instances it's not by much, though sometimes this can make all the difference. Just as a heads-up, La Senza tends to have back sizes that are smaller than other retailers.

I'm in the process of putting together my own self-measuring guide, and am testing out online fitting guides to find the best! Check them out soon!!

Haych x