Dame of the Month - Ms. Liza Minnelli

Liza Mennelli in Cabaret, 1972

Liza in Parade Magazine, 3/2008

Liza in Cabaret, 1972

Liza in Parade Magazine, 3/2008

Liza on Porta a Porta, Italy 10/2008

Given the incredible energy, infamous voice, and stunning body she has been showing off in shows around the world, we would never know Ms. Liza Minnelli has battled through formidable health problems. For her courage and ability to conquer the odds while still staying sexy, we are proud to call Ms. Minnelli our July Dame of the Month.

Who She Is: Born in 1946 to entertainment celebrities Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli, Ms. Minnelli is an actress and vocalist well known for her role in 1972 film Cabaret. She has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Actress, several Tony awards, an Emmy and a special Grammy.

Why We Love Her: Her many awards speak to her formidable talent. The youngest women to ever win a Tony Award for leading actress, Ms. Minnelli has a lot of practice in the limelight (she was the baby in the last show of In the Good Old Summertime in 1949). Yet, no one can say she hasn’t worked hard for her career. From working as a nightclub singer to juggling roles in film and theatre, Ms. Minnelli continues stunning audiences with her enthusiasm, her songs, and her dance abilities.

Her body is another thing to love. At 62, Ms. Minnelli is not afraid to bare her body, shocking Italians with an energetic TV performance while clad in a partially transparent black top and tights reminiscent of the classic Cabaret look she coined. After all, who will ever forget her legendary dark helmet of hair, her big eyes, and her extravagantly fabulous eyelashes?

We heartily approve her outfit choice (which would look fantastic over this set by Tra La La), and only hope that we will too can maintain a body that will pull off an outfit like that.

Extra Credit: Ms. Minnelli serves as an inspiration for people everywhere for her dedication to theatre and her ability to beat seemingly insurmountable odds.

After suffering through viral encephalitis, Ms. Minnelli brushed aside diagnosis of life in a wheelchair, and continues to dance despite “two false hips, a wired-up right knee, two crushed discs and scoliosis.”

Ladies, with a role model like this, how can we continue to languish on the couch?

Trivia: Members of Ms. Minnelli’s family on her father’s side were actually circus performers.

You are a fearless role model to us all, Ms. Minnelli. Your huge personality both on stage and off coupled with your determination to succeed, make us love you, and your fabulous body and willingness to show it off is just icing on the cake. Your classic, yet daring Cabaret style fit perfectly with our Playful Promises lingerie from England. Try this Miss Showgirl set or this Miss Beauty Queen set. And while we don’t have fur for you, we do have animal print.

Hugs and Kisses,
Dames and Broads

Broad of the Month- Kim Kardashian

We love her for all the wrong reasons--- Cheers to the Ms. Kardashian, our Broad of the Month....

Who She Is: Kimberly Noel Kardashian is the part Turkish-Armenian/ part Russian /part Scottish/ part Dutch daughter of OJ Simpson attorney Robert Kardashian and Kris Jenner (who is married to Olympian Bruce Jenner). She is also a former friend to Paris Hilton. But our fair Kimmy made a name all her own when she starred in a home made sex tape with Z list pseudo-rapper Ray J ( better know as Moesha's brother).

Why We Love Her: Most of us would have ran and hid under our bed for a grazillion years after having to admit to doing the dirty with Brandy's little bro, but not our Kimmy. This chick stood proudly, posed ass front for pics, and got herself a reality show.... and a second season of said reality show, and a third, and a clothing line, and a million appearance fees, and the coveted cover of Playboy, and a nice little $5 million settlement from aforementioned sex tape scandal. $$$KA-CHING$$$
It took Jenna Jameson and Tracy Lords years of tenacity and back breaking work (pun intended) to crossover from porn glory to mainstream. But for Kim the transition was complete in less than 18 months. Talk about landing on your feet...

And who in god's name rebounds from Ray J with Reggie "Please never put your shirt on again" Bush (pictured above alongside his love)? Did we mention that Reggie signed a contract that could be worth 62 million smackers in 2006 with the New Orleans Saints? They are discussing marriage...
Why buy the cow if Ray J milked it for free???- Because clearly she has some unworldly "gifts".

And the body... All breast, lips, hips and thighs, she is a beacon of hope for voluptuous women everywhere.

Extra Credit: We have seen the sex tape. And if we were stupid/crazy/drunk enough to humiliate ourselves, embarrass our families and shame our dead father's good name by making a sex tape with the wackness himself Mr. Willie "Ray J" Norwood, we hope, NO PRAY, we look half as fabulous as she does in it. Who the hell has that type of lighting in an amateur porn? Did Kevin Aucoin himself rise from the dead to do her makeup? Not our fav bra and panty set in the very beginning- but hey, we all make mistakes... Say what you want about Kim but she is photogenic.

Trivia: In 2000, at the age of 20, Kardashian married music producer Damon Thomas; their relationship ended in divorce in 2004.

Kimmmmmmy, we love you and want to become besties. And we are ready, willing, and able to get you out of those boring black bras that you wear in every photo shoot. We have some great Turkish lingerie worthy of your heritage and some fab brazilian tangas perfect for your lovely tush.

Holding you in highest esteem,
XOXO
Dames and Broads

Our Stimulus Package-Bra and Panty sets under $50

Dechelles Savage Bralette and Thong Set

Clo Cilantro Bralette set

Blush Tresor set

Times are hard. We get it. We know you should not be choosing between bras and groceries. We know that you dont want to choose between the bra or panty. You want both. You deserve both. We agree. Above are our favorite bra and panty sets under $50. And the best thing is: There are even more where these came from.

Much love,

Dames and Broads

Affluent men like South American lingerie.... SURPRISE, SURPRISE

De Chelles Savage set

Clo Encanto Set

The results are in and they are shocking...bankers, lawyers, and brokers like lingerie made for Latinas. Ladies have another brownie and then do a few lunges because clearly he loves you curvy and pear- shaped. He loves how you look in Brazilian thongs and tangas and Colombian lingerie. We tried to tell him how hot the Turkish silk panties and Dutch mesh bras by Timpa but he was singularly focused with few exceptions.

We are packing and sending them to you now as gifts.
Act surprised when you get it ok?

Happy Valentine's Day love,
Dames and Broads

International Lingerie and the City of Brotherly Love

On Monday, Feb 9, 2008. Dames and Broads will be hosting a trunk show in the city of our birthplace, Philadelphia PA.

There will be friends, panties and drinks just as god intended...
If you want to buy V-day presents, get a lingerie makeover based on your body type, or just talk about why your Brazilian booty deserves some southern hemisphere appreciation, stop by and say hello.

We will be waiting with drink in hand....

XOXO,
Dames and Broads

Bestsellers

After months of scouring the planet for the most lovely but wearable lingerie, it is so interesting to see what people actually buy. The truth is that I was dying to see if I was right, if I should have trusted my own instincts less or should I have taken others' input more.

The answer is always in the sales right???

The very first thing to sell were the PASSPORT PANTIES. I love passport panties but that was a huge shock. I was sure the first thing to go would be a bra and panty set... But I do know the girl who purchased them and she is an always on the go, international jet setter so it does make sense.

At the very other end of the spectrum was the next purchase, the Mimi Holliday Lipe set, pictured above. The color, pricepoint, and fabric (silk and lace) is so perfect for its new owner. Though signifcantly less expensive, this set will be right at home next to all the La Perla, and Myla in her home.

Next to go was the Savage bra set from Brazilian Lingerie designer, De Chelles. The set is extremely affordable, very sexy and not at all for the faint of heart. One of my favs.

To date the most popular lingerie is by far and away are those from Brazil and it is very clear that many ladies are ready for more daring everyday bra and pantry sets ; 70% of sales came from the Everyday Extravagance category.

hmmm... It will be very interesting to see what the fellas buy for their ladies next week for V-day....

XOXO

Dames and Broads

Brazilian, Turkish, English, French body types... You are gorgeous somewhere

Ladies ,



Stop it. This one size fits all mentality will be the death of you. Most of us will never be a size 0. Most of our men don't want us to be. So why do we subscribe to one Nicole Kidmanesqe asexual standard of beauty? Perhaps it is because we don't know that our pear shaped bodies are revered in Brazil, that our generous hips and ample bosom are considered ideal in Turkey, that our itty bitties are all the rage in France. Did you know that they make something to help create waistlines in England and can fake the hell out of a gorgeous bustline in China?



But no need to go so far to be appreciated. Perhaps you should start in your living room. Did you know that everything you hate about your body is exactly what you man loves. He wants you to stop covering up the big butt, the smaller breasts, the meaty hips. If it doesn't jiggle, he doesn't want it and if he didn't want something soft, he would be dating Tom, not you.



I am not saying to let yourself go. I am saying give yourself a break and embrace the gorgeous body you inhabit.



In Feb , Dames and Broads will start bringing you lines from around the world made specifically for your body type.



One size fits all no more...



You deserve better.



XOXO

D&B

Top 10 Lingerie / Underwear Brands

Just a bit a lingerie news to darken an already dreary Friday in NYC:

According to WWD, 2008 retail sales are really hurting long established intimates brands especially those distributed by department stores.

"Battered by consolidation, depleted margins and a glut of inventory, department stores have increasingly given smaller space in innerwear departments to national bra brands, many of which are promoted day in, day out, and have a generic look."

As a result most are cutting advertising, marketing and merchandising budgets drastically. Heavy hitters like Victoria Secret are still doing OK (formaldehyde bras notwithstanding) due to the teen focused PINK lines and international expansion.

Here are the top 10 Intimate Apparel lines by sales in the US

1. Hanes
2. Victoria's Secret
3. Fruit of the Loom
4. Playtex
5. Jockey
6. Bali
7. Joe Boxer
8. Maidenform
9. Vanity Fair
10. Calvin Klein Underwear

If you are anything like me , you looked at the above list and shook your head. Joe Boxer, Really???!!! Is the entire Unites States in 8th grade? Fruit of the Who? Well, I never...

Where does this list and this economy leave grown ups who prefer silk to rayon and sensual glamour to pink cheetah prints?

Don't worry ladies, I will not forsake you. You still deserve the best even if you now must pay less for it. No need to go to the dark side (read Hanes and ugly nude bras). The pictured Dechelles bra and panty set from Brazil (all silk and lace) retails for less than $65. It does not come in a pack of 3 and it shouldn't...

All is not lost.

Soon,

Dames and Broads

Gorgeous and Affordable imported bras and panties

Jan 2009

FORWARD!!!

"Courage doesn't always shout. Sometimes it is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says, "I will try again tomorrow."--- UNKNOWN


So traveling to Brazil to search for a lingerie manufacturer did not produce the results I thought it would... After scouring the city for 4 long, rainy days, I did not find anyone who was willing to work with me, the US dollar and my size Ds.

I have to admit I felt tired, drained and defeated. I was ready to throw in the towel and return to my normal life and hideous nude bras.

But my girl, Monica, told me that if I am going to make it, I have to be ready to adapt. The point was to bring to market affordable, wearable, but sexy bras and panties and by god, wild horses could not keep me from it... After all, they say evil triumphs when good women do nothing...

The Brazilian trade show showed me that there actually are many high quality yet cost conscious lines that we Americans have been deprived of simply because of our geography. The problem is that only a few pieces can actually be worn underneath clothes. In fact, some of the sets made me wonder if Brazilian women ever put on anything at all over these elaborate devices. No wonder thousands of men endure 10 hours in coach just to lay eyes on these creatures...

But every once in awhile I would stumble across a miracle (like the one pictured). Pretty little things that could actually be worn by mere mortals. I wondered if there were similar products in other parts of the world. Then I wondered, would I would be willing to traipse all over the globe to bring these items to American women? Yes, yes I will.
The saga continues...

Dames and Broads Version 2.0

B is for Brazil, B cups and Business Plans

A few weeks ago, I went to Brazil in search of a manufacturer who could produce affordable, wearable, and gorgeous lingerie. Yes reader, I know, I am doing the lord's work.

My plan was simple (though not particularly well thought out): fly to Sao Paulo alone, attend one of the top Brazilian innerwear trade shows and canvas the entire manufacturing district until I convinced one of the dozens of lingerie manufactures to produce my line. God this will make a great story for Oprah, I thought. It would have been ambitious for anyone to undertake but when you couple this with the fact that I spoke no Portuguese and intended to do it all over the course of four days, it becomes clear that this mission was entirely based on faith.

You see, not only were the cards stacked against me, I had been warned. I attempted to hire an apparel specialist and a translator from the US Commercial Service in Brazil and was flat out rejected.

"There is no market for this. There are several manufacturers in Brazil (A LOT... TOO MANY), but no company would work with the US designs for lingerie. Several US companies tried manufacturing lingerie here to re-export because Brazil is well-known for its manufacturing in this field, but it rarely worked out because the designs are very different from what is used and produced here."

The game seemed to be over before it began. Discouraged and traveling alone to what the NY Times calls "the most dangerous city you will ever love", I began to realize what a suicide mission this was. So I decided to seek help from higher powers. I prayed and sent out a mass email.

Subject line: Solo to Sao Paulo

And miracles happened (who knew the lord has Gmail?). My brother who owns a bed and breakfast in Bahia, suggested I call a Samba dancer he knew. She just happened to be a costume designer for the Philadelphia Opera, spoke fluent manufacturing and apparel Portuguese and owned a home in Sao Paulo. She agreed to accompany me to SP, without ever meeting me,...FOR FREE.

My girl, Khadeja, called a college friend now living in Sao Paulo. He agreed to take me in. Also without ever speaking to me. also for free.

And so I went. And after many Nos, crazy looks, and discussions about how the US Dollar was now relatively worthless in Brazil, we actually found some people who were at least willing to speak to us. I could almost see Oprah’s couch in front of me.

And that is when I was told that Brazilians only makes B CUPS. Yes, you read me right. They have somehow convinced an entire nation of voluptuous, plastic surgery loving women that they are all Bs. How can I make a product I cant even wear?

Jeez, I guess need to work on plan B…