FairyGothMother are proud to be involved with ‘Models of Diversity‘, Angel Sinclair’s celebration of finding beauty in all shapes, sizes and abilities.

Angel started the campaign after appearing on Gok Wan’s ‘Miss Naked Beauty’ in 2008. A former model, she was “struck by the beauty of the vast variety of women participating in the event and how that contrasted with the stereotypical models we see in the fashion industry". The celebrity-packed event will feature a special live performance from East 17’s Terry Coldwell as well as a fashion show including items from the Alice in Wonderland collection by our very own Lulu and Lush, and a catwalk appearance by Terry’s very lovely wife Faye (pictured on the left), who’s a fan of the shop! As you know, FairyGothMother’s motto is ‘Love Your Curves’, and we wholeheartedly support Angel’s work raising “media awareness of the diverse range of people who are able to portray fashion to the world", as well as running workshops to help disabled models succeed in their chosen career.

The event is taking place on Thursday 29th July, and a few of us will be attending - will report back with pretty pictures soon!

Following in the footsteps of the infamous Harrods and East London’s Swell Vintage, Lulu and Lush have been causing a bit of a stir at Oxfam Dalston with our super-glam burlesque window! On Monday morning, we (that’s me, along with corsetry assistants Connie and Sophia) turned up with armfuls of corsets, petticoats and knickers and proceeded to cover everything in our path with pink tissue paper, pink leopard print ribbon, frilly knickers and sparkles. This was all much to the delight of passers by, many of whom very kindly took the time to pop their head in and talk to us.

Unique halter-tie and crystal overbust corset, ‘Blossom’ corset and tutus.	Lots of accessories, including pink opera gloves and ‘Burlesque’ tie-side knickers.

Situated in the coolest part of London (according to Vogue Italia, no less), Oxfam Dalston is a well-loved treasure trove of vintage clothing, obscure music and designer bargains. The shop’s managers, Steve and Kevin, update an interesting blog (where you will find more pics of the window) about their experiences as well as regularly tweeting new finds, and were very lovely and accommodating whilst were throwing petticoats around and getting in the way!

‘Lillith’ babydoll, frilly knickers and a pearl necklace from the boutique.	‘Fleur’ soft-cup bra and frilled knickers set, Lulu and Lush tote bag.	Connie and myself putting the finishing touches to the window.

The window features a mix of best-sellers, hand-finished unique pieces and items from our new collection, as well as a selection of jewellery and accessories. Oh, and a small pig.

Connie hanging up the purple ‘Jewel’ knickers	Lots of accessories - frilly knix, ‘Burlesque’ knickers and corset bags

The bright sunlight made it difficult to take photos, but you can just about make out the Lulu and Lush pink ‘Blossom’ corset, ‘Burlesque’ tie-side knickers in pale pink and fuchsia, our frilly knickers, a unique customised classic FGM-468 overbust with halter ties and crystals, purple frilled ‘Jewel’ knickers, the ‘Lillith’ babydoll, two chiffon tutus and our brand new ‘Fleur’ soft-cup bra and frilled knickers set, which we’ve recreated in pink for the summer. We also decorated the window using items we found whilst rummaging in Oxfam’s basement, as well as opera gloves, ribbon corset lacing, crystal jewellery and some cheeky sequined nipple tassels from the boutique.

The finished window!	These passers by seemed to like the display

Oxfam Dalston can be found at 514-518 Kingsland Road (next to Forest Road), and a mere ten minutes away from the Lulu and Lush boutique by bus.

The items will remain on display until Wednesday 28th July when Oxfam will be offering each item for sale at a discount price, but they’ve already been inundated with requests so head down there super-early to grab yourself a fantastic bargain whilst donating money to charity at the same time!

Photos by Sophia Mosol and Oxfam Dalston

If you’ve a budding photographer who’s ever wanted to try their hand at corsetry, you could follow in the steps of FairyGothMother’s very own Sam, who spent last weekend on a course with the very lovely Damien Lovegrove, picking up tips and techniques for photographing lingerie and eveningwear. Here are a couple of pictures from their shoot…

More photos from the shoot can be seen on Damien’s blog.

Playful and exquisite, Lulu and Lush’s Alice collection captures the essence of the elegant and curious little girl, who finds herself drawn down a rabbit hole and into her own Wonderland. The sumptuous powder blue satin, delicate spotted mesh, luxuriously soft tulle and twinkling charms delight the eye whilst spiral steel boning and powermesh provide structure and shape.

The collection features an underwired plunge bra, a http://fairygothmother.co.uk/fgm-alicecorset.htm, a longline powermesh girdle, a http://fairygothmother.co.uk/fgm-alicebustle.htm, a unique waterfall bed jacket, calf and ankle-length tulle skirts and two matching briefs.

L-R: Alice in Wonderland plunge bra, 32B-34D, £29. Alice mesh and heart cut-out knickers, S-XL, £18. Alice mesh and frill knickers, S-XL, £18.

With padded heart-shaped satin cups, the underwired plunge bra is both flattering and functional. The ruched white straps are adjustable and elasticated, guaranteeing a perfect fit. The bra features sheer sides in baby blue spotted mesh, and closes at the back with a hook-and-eye fastening. Complete the set with either the matching soft mesh and satin heart knickers, or sheer frilled brief.

In floaty, spotted mesh, the collared bed jacket with gathered frill detailing is as perfect on the beach as it is in the boudoir, and adds extra glamour to the lingerie set.

Alice in Wonderland bed jacket, S-L, £45. Worn over Alice plunge bra and heart knickers, as above.

The corset in powder blue satin is fully steel boned to comfortably reduce the waist by 4″ whilst shaping the hips and emphasising the bust. With a front metal busk closure and fully adjustable back lacing over a modesty panel, the corset is available in sizes 20″-30″ (suitable for 24″-34″ natural waists) and is trimmed with matching blue spotted mesh and tiny heart-shaped charms which catch the light beautifully.

Designed with curves in mind, the Alice girdle sits just under the bust and comes down over the hips to create a smooth hourglass silhouette. Created from powermesh and stretch satin, the girdle features a spotted mesh overlay and satin inserts on either side of the centre pannel to draw the eye to the narrowest part of the waist. Four detachable white suspender straps are provided to keep stockings in place, and the girdle is finished off with a satin ruffle and adorable ribbon bows.

L-R: Alice powermesh girdle, S-XL, £49. Girdle worn over plunge bra, as above. Alice overbust corset with heart trim, 20″-30″, £210, suitable for natural waists from 24″-36″.

The powder blue prom skirt reaches just below the knee whilst the pure white ballet skirt flares out to the ankle, emphasising the waist and picking out the satin bow detail of the corset. Both skirts feature layers of soft tulle netting lined with satin, a hidden zip and a satin waistband which enable the skirts to sit perfectly when worn with the matching corset.

L-R: Alice tulle prom skirt, UK 8-18, £150. Alice ankle-length ballet skirt, UK 8-18, £160 , also available in ivory and black. Worn with Alice corset, as above.

The full bustle gives Alice a burlesque twist, featuring lashings of hand-draped, beautifully soft satin and mesh. With front ribbon ties, the bustle can either be worn around the waist or lower on the hip and tucked underneath the corset.

L-R: Hand-draped Alice bustle, S-XL, £155. Worn with Alice corset and heart cut-out knickers, as above.

The collection was exclusively previewed on the catwalk during Old Spitalfields Market Fashion Week and at the Corset & Diamonds party in May where classically trained pianist and international burlesque starlet Chrys Columbine debuted the collection with a piano-playing striptease act.

Chrys Columbine performing at Corset & Diamonds

The girdle, bra and knickers are in stock and available for immediate dispatch, whereas the bustle, corset and skirts are made to order and take between three and eight weeks. Please see the individual item pages for further details.

If you were watching the ‘Flattering Lingerie’ feature on This Morning on ITV last Tuesday, you may have spotted one of the latest additions to our ever-expanding lingerie range, the ‘Katie’ balconette bra and boy short set by Miss Mandalay. Especially designed for larger busts (30D to 36G), the Katie bra provides great support without compromising the aesthetic, and features light padding to retain shape, baby pink bows and playful ruffles, whilst the matching boy short flatters curves. From ITV1: “A new study has found that…a staggering 73% of women are embarrassed by their wobbly bits when they strip off in the bedroom. Our style guru Jason Gardiner shows us the best underwear available on the high street for all those voluptuous areas of big boobs, small boobs, bellies and bums.” Click here to watch our ‘This Morning’ feature in full, on the ITV1 website.

Smaller busted ladies, fear not - we have comfortable cotton lingerie for you too! Perfect for the summer are the Hello Sailor and Polka set by Love Baby Grand. Hand-made in the UK, the soft-cup Polka set is available in red cotton flecked with white polka dots, whilst the Hello Sailor bandeau bra with halter tie is made in blue and white nautical stripes, with frills and contrast red bows.

Black gingham Katie D+ balconette bra and boyshort set by Miss Mandalay. 30D-36GG. Bra £42, brief £25.	Blue and white striped Hello Sailor bandeau halter bra and frilled brief set by Love Baby Grand. S/M/L. £69 for the set.	Red and white Polka bandeau halter bra and frilled brief set by Love Baby Grand S/M/L. £69 for the set.

Checked fabrics are hot this spring (thanks to Christopher Kane’s S/S 2010 collection, featured here in Vogue) and if you put a burlesque spin on the current trend, try our baby pink gingham overbust corset. Team with a full white tulle skirt to go out or white frilly knickers to stay in, unless you’re feeling daring! If you prefer underbust corsets, wear Vollers‘ black and white gingham underbust over a shirt and jeans in the day and over a black dress in the evening. Accessorise with the best-selling Donna bustle by Lulu and Lush, which now comes in red gingham and looks fabulous with a white corset and satin opera gloves.

Baby pink and white gingham overbust corset with pink trim, 20″-32″, £99. White frilly knickers, S-L, £14.	Black and white gingham underbust corset by Vollers 18″-38″. £145. Chiffon blouse by Vollers, S/M/L, £49.>	Red and gingham Donna bustle by Lulu and Lush S-M/L-XL, £35. White corset by RDLF, 18″-40″, £215.

Valkyrie Corsets have taken gingham a step further by combining baby pink checks with a delicate rose print. Trimmed with ruffles in fine white lace, this longline underbust is the perfect way to dress up a light chemise. The corset is also available in mint green polka dot cotton, with white lacy frills which match perfectly with Lulu and Lush white frilly knickers.

Pink gingham and rose underbust with white frills by Valkyrie Corsets, 18″-32″, £195. pink chemise and petticoat by Axfords S/M and M/L. Chemise £28, petticoat £38.	Mint green and white polka dot underbust with white frills by Valkyrie Corsets, 18″-32″, £195. Lulu and Lush white frilly knickers, S/M/L, £14. White full length opera gloves, £18.	Pink gingham and rose underbust with white frills by Valkyrie Corsets, 18″-32″, £195. pink chemise and petticoat by Axfords S/M and M/L. Chemise £28, petticoat £38.

It’s not only gingham which has got us excited this week… We’re finally launching our Lulu and Lush ‘Alice in Wonderland’ collection (which we’ve previewed exclusively at the here on the blog, at the Corset & Diamonds event featuring Chrys Columbine’s a amazing Alice in Wonderland piano/burlesque routine and on the catwalk at Old Spitalfields Market Fashion Week), so check back later in the week for more details!