Ah, Valentine’s Day; an occasion that has become the target of much scorn and skepticism. Who needs a particular reason to show loved ones they care? For that matter, who needs another fluffy teddy bear cuddling a soppy message of “wuv” on a heart-shaped pillow? If you want to protest the Americanised consumerist version of the event, simply grab your nearest and dearest (perhaps a nice bottle of gin too) and watch scary movies instead of joining the loved-up couples in simultaneous hand-holding. Or since it’s a Monday simply take the day off (how Australian) to avoid flower deliveries at work and hibernate.
But if you are going to “do” Valentine’s Day, do it properly. Preferably while wearing something saucy, luxurious and designed in Australia with real love. Treat yourself with a selection of the lovely, lacey under-things below.
1.While you may not get flown regularly to France by your beloved you can at least envelop yourself in loungewear label Deshabille’s tres chic ‘Paris’ robe and eat chocolate croissants. I love the flouncy, frilled neckline to catch the flaky, pastry crumbs too.
2. The modern lingerie aficionado should look to Brisbane designer Marni Franks and her Thousand Dancers label for pieces comfortable enough to wear under their clothes. Indeed her digital print ‘Chrissie’ pieces are intended to be everyday luxuries and to peek out from beneath your summer wardrobe. Adding to the awesomeness, Thousand Dancers takes rock icon Patti Smith as their unlikely muse.
3. Amid the beginnings of a long love affair with Melbourne label Hopeless, I discovered designer Gabrielle Adamidis often draws inspiration from unexpected (ie. less than romantic) pop culture references. This ‘Betsey’ coral silk halter bralette is inspired by the Evil Dead flicks. Blood and gore never looked so seductive.
4. This Valentine’s Day you should prowl around in this leopard-print corset fashioned in red silk by Ku Shu Shu. Why? There’s a reason the label name translates to “it is hot” in the South African Xhosa language no less. Now we’re helping you have a beautiful mind as well.
5. Natalie Begg specialises in crafting hand-painted silks and creating bespoke or one-of-a-kind pieces. Designs from her mainline collection – including a pair of cute-as-a-button Broderie Anglaise briefs – are just as covetable.
6. This lace camisole with a retro vibe comes from Elegantly Scant’s vintage-inspired collection dubbed ‘Desperate Housewives’. It’s named ‘Marilyn’, presumably after a woman who was anything but a desperate housewife.
7. Enchant the object of your affection from behind this lace mask by Sally Jones. If such a piece is good enough for Audrey Hepburn to wear while robbing a museum in How to Steal a Million, it is certainly good enough for me to wear while stealing a few hearts.
8. It was difficult to choose just one piece from Pleasure State’s delicious designs; well, as hard as looking at frothy, frilly sweet nothings for hours on end can be. If I had to pick only one it would be this flirty ‘Papilio’ baby doll cami featured in their White Label line. The polka-dotted mesh design in siren red mimics the vividly spotted wings of the swallowtail butterfly.
