How I use a book from WWII and New York fabric scraps to create one-of-a-kind lingerie.

When I was 13 I decided I wanted to be a fashion designer (my parents disputed, and wanted me to go into Science).  So my grandmother gifted me a booklet of notes from a tailoring class she had done in the 60s, a book, and an expandable mannequin. Thanks to Grannie,  27 years later, I’m a New York based Costume designer!

Black & white pictures of vintage lingerie. From “Everyday fashions of the thirties” as pictured in Sears catalog (Dover) 

The Fabric 

Most of the fabrics that I use for tap pants and camisoles (a.k.a. kinickers) are left over gems from New York theatre shows. Either:

•  there wasn’t enough for an entire costume and so it was gifted to the costume shop employees
• or I was designing a show and had tiny pieces of fabric that were too small for anything but knickers. 

I choose to pass on the savings to my customers. This means that my customers get vintage style loungewear made from silks and other luxurious fabrics, from the top high-end New York fabric stores- without paying the price. 

The Secret from WWII: Sew and Save

Sew and Save vintage sewing book by Joanna Chase of the Daily Mail.

This book is the book my Welsh Grandmother gave me all those years ago!

 It is unique because it was a guide for the average woman to make her clothes last longer when it was hard to find and afford new pieces. (Sound familiar?) There are techniques for darning, mending, and recycling old clothes into new pieces such as slips, undies and linings. Written in the 1940s the patterns were made to salvage every last scrap of fabric during silk shortages in WWII. 

Waste not, want not.

And now you know my secret weapon. To make the full use of the luxurious remnants, I use patterns adapted from Sew and Save. 

I create the largest pair of tap pants or camisoles I can with the fabric I have to create the vintage inspired loungewear you’ll find in my store 

Women in all shapes and sizes deserve fabulous and sexy loungewear

These are one-off pieces. I am passionate as a designer about making something precious and beautiful. If there is something you love that isn’t in your size, or you wish was a little different, let’s talk! I have the freedom to create something entirely unique just for you.

• Decorated in specially sourced trims and laces each and every time.
• Tailored down if you need it smaller. 
• Or if you need it bigger I will source similar fabric and create you your own custom pair of tap pants, camisole, or both! 

Check out the store for details.

If you are ready to feel beautiful, come pick out your one-of -a-kind piece before someone else does. 

Close up shots of the detail on the simple, yet classic, Maliene tap pant.

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Lingerie for Real Bodies: Sexy Custom Lounge Wear to make you feel seen in.

As a New York based costume designer, it is my job to make performers feel amazing and comfortable in their bodies on stage. You would never want an ill-fitting garment to make the performer feel uncomfortable in any way. The amount of times I have fit a plus size actress that has thanked me profusely for taking the time to make sure a garment fits them and they feel confident in it, is, frankly, too many. I’m passionate about making sure they leave feeling seen and supported. 

Why is it so hard for curvy women to get a good fit? 

Most mass-produced modern garments are graded up from a sample size. Which means the proportions are graded up versions of the ratios of a leaner woman. Simply put, they don’t account for curves!

Most larger women I know, myself included, have problems with the ratios of smaller women, with smaller frames. If I find something to fit my bum, it will be huge on my waist. I sew, so I can customize my clothes to fit me.  I’ve made a career out of providing a custom fit for every performer that walks into my fitting room, well before the pandemic that is. But not everyone is able to do this.

“ Rosalinde”, custom sexy tap pant and camisole set in a turquoise self print floral set with black chantilly and turquoise lace

[The “ Rosalinde”, custom sexy tap pant and camisole set in a turquoise self print floral set with black chantilly and turquoise lace]

The Difference with custom made.

1930’s vintage lingerie in peach satin and tan lace

 I  know that the “ratios” change the larger the size. So rather than have one plus size tap pants or camisole pattern that I have graded up, I found an army of beautiful curvy women in all shapes and sizes to be a sample model for every size of sexy custom loungewear I sell.

Is this more costly? Absolutely. It’s worth it to me, to know that everyone who purchases vintage style custom lingerie from me, will feel as vavavoom and as stunningly confident in her body as those early pin-up models.

If you would like a piece of custom vintage style loungewear, this is the place for you! I’m happy to tailor my unique pieces to fit your curves or I will create you something entirely new in a style of your choosing. Simply put, if you want to feel beautiful, I am here for you!

http://ClaireTownsendDesigns.com/shop

the “Maliene”
a classic sexy black satin and cream cut out lace custom tap pant

We are also proud to be part of Pixelwyck, an online Ren Faire through Gathertown, this Friday 26th February, 7-11pm

Come by & chat with me there!

https://www.pixelwyck.com/

The Maliene, modelled by Renee Berthelette

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