La Magia

Britain's Missing Top Model  By Vicki  05 Jul 2008

This new series follows 8 beautiful women who live with a disability and they are challenged each week to see if they have what it takes to be a model. The girl who wins the competition will also get 1 year contract with one of London’s top model agencies.

La Magia was asked to provide lingerie for a pin-up style photoshoot and we supplied a variety of gorgeous pieces. The show is being aired Tuesday 8th July at 9pm on BBC Three, so keep your eyes peeled for some of our items. We have already seen a sneak preview of one of the girls wearing the Kiss Me Deadly Delacroix Bralet, Suspender and Briefs.

Visit the Britain's Missing Top Model website.

The Thong Bandits!  By Vicki  07 Jun 2008

We spotted this on the BBC news website today and couldn't resist writing about it...

Colorado police have caught two suspected robbers - aka the "thong bandits". The duo used skimpy underwear as masks, but clearly didn't think it through very well as much of their faces remained visible in CCTV footage. Both men turned themselves in.

One wore a green thong and the other wore blue. Yet another case where big knickers would have been far more sensible...

Introducing Cervin - Guest Post by Kiss Me Deadly  By Catherine  27 May 2008

La Magia have very kindly asked me to write you something about Cervin stockings - because Kiss Me Deadly as a brand very much came out of being a stockings fanatic. As some of you may have noticed we use quite a few of Cervins classic styles in our photo shoots, so I'm really pleased that you'll now be able to buy them here. Some of you might find their products very familiar - Cervin manufacture for many brands that are currently more well known than them. They are a French brand with a very long pedigree and are the leaders in the field where knitting silk, pure nylon, and complex patterns are concerned.

The main reason I love Cervin so much is their quality - mainly their durability. I am a very clumsy person, and Morgana moves about more than you might think during photoshoots (the world of fashion is never as glamorous as it looks), and yet we both find we can wear them over and over again. Cervin use a very tight, glossy weave that seems to be a great deal more resistant to laddering than most, especially in the pure nylon stockings.

I also love that you can buy really authentic 50's styles from Cervin, modern classics, and high fashion extremely technologically forward styles. Take their fully fashioned stockings (the Tentation here). Before the 60's, we didn't have circular knitting machines, so stockings were made flat, with stitches dropped or added to make them fit the leg, and then sewn up the back. This was of course incredibly time consuming, which is why this style is so valuable and rare now. You can tell the difference between a fully fashioned versus a cosmetic seamed stocking by the finishing loop (a sort of keyhole shape) in the welt, and if you get up close the small dots left in the weave on the calf that help to shape it to the leg.

If you are less worried about authenticity though, you can try the Esprit Couture - knitted on a circular machine, with a seam added afterwards, but still very beautiful. Both styles have a classic point heel and reinforced foot. I love the black with red - we've sold so many of these to go with red Alouette styles at shows!

Interestingly, French made pure nylon stockings run shorter than UK brands. In the 50's we tended to wear our stockings on the mid thigh, and this is still the fashion in France, but UK trends have been towards wearing the stocking as high up as possible. If you want your stockings to be long you can go up one size, but don't go up more than one, or else they will be very wrinkly! Nylon alone can be tricky to fit but once you know your size it is fabulous - it feels silkier and makes the kind of swishing noises you associate with films where saxophones play when you get out of a car.

Another style we use in picture often is the deep lace tops, which are as sensual as their name. The leg is a simple, shimmering stretchy mix of lycra and nylon, but their super deep lace top is lovely when you want something that feels great but isn't necessarily obvious and on show. You can get them as stockings that need a suspender belt, or you can get the hold up version - I promise it has more than enough rings of silicone to stay up!

View La Magia's Cervin selection

View the entire range of Kiss Me Deadly

Kiss Me Deadly Vargas Girdle Dress Now In Stock!  By Vicki  23 May 2008

The wait is really over now as the Vargas girdle dresses have been delivered to us and all the pre-orders have been dispatched.

These are so popular that some sizes have already sold out, and many are low on the ground. Stock will be replenished in September.

View the entire range of Kiss Me Deadly at La Magia.

Delacroix Silks from Kiss Me Deadly now in stock!  By Vicki  17 May 2008

The sumptuous silk Delacroix from Kiss Me Deadly have arrived and are now in stock for immediate dispatch. Spring/Summer 2008 brings the new colourways of ivory and black to this range, which consists of camisole, bralette, french knickers, briefs and 6 strap suspender belt.

They arrived yesterday and I eagerly retrieved my personal order from the delivery to try it all on. All I can say is I am smitten. I think my favourite is the ivory which is a kind of creamy vanilla shade, contrasted beautifully with the black lace trim. The french knickers are cut in a very flattering and sexy way, and are very comfy and luxurious. The bralette looks great with a push up bra underneath, or on its own for a more relaxed look, and the camisole is definitely something I will wear out and about once the evenings are a little warmer!

Because the sizes are S/M/L/XL these are great for gifts. You can't beat a luxurious set of silk lingerie. For the whole ensemble, wear with the Lulu and Lush silk kimono.

View the entire range of Kiss Me Deadly at La Magia.

New Corsets for Summer from Eternal Spirits  By Vicki  09 May 2008

Wonderland is the new collection from Eternal Spirits for Spring/Summer 2008. Inspired by quintessential English eccentricity and traditions of luxury and tailoring. The feel of the collection is Afternoon tea in an English Garden with The Mad Hatter and The Queen.

An eccentric mix of silks, tweeds and laces with details such as silk covered buttons, pleating, Swarovski crystals and hand embroidery offer an exquisite and timeless collection.

View our selection of Eternal Spirits Corsets.

20% Discount on Velda Lauder's Embroidery Silk Underbust  By Vicki  01 May 2008

For the whole of May we are offering a 20% discount on the Embroidery Silk Underbust Corset, as shown in the photograph. From Velda's stunning bridal collection this underbust corset features ivory silk embroidery on a sumptuous ivory silk background.

Click here to see Sarah Brightman wearing Velda Lauder in the video for her latest album “Symphony”.

View our selection of Velda Lauder Corsets. Offer ends 31 May 2008.

Vargas Girdle Dress - the wait is (almost) over!  By Vicki  15 Apr 2008

The much anticipated Vargas Girdle Dress is back! This sell-out item by Kiss Me Deadly is available to pre-order at La Magia in all black and all white. We expect to take delivery of the dresses in late May 2008, and limited numbers are being made in each size. We've already taken lots of orders so if you want one of these we would strongly recommend that you put a pre-order in ASAP (especially if you are one of the more common sizes - 34B/C 36C/D) as these will sell out first.

This dress will be a continuation style for Kiss Me Deadly but stock will not be replenished until the Autumn, and that's a long time to wait if you are coveting one of these!

The Vargas dress combines flattering vintage coverage and shaping techniques with modern prints, colours and convenience. It can be worn beneath your clothes for smooth and discreet foundation wear, but it is sexy enough to be worn in the bedroom. The black dress is available from a 32B up to a 38DD and the white from 34B to 38DD.

Pre-order now !

20% Discount on Velda Lauder's Drill Cotton Waspie  By Vicki  07 Apr 2008

For the whole of April we are offering a 20% discount on the Drill Cotton Underbust Corset, as shown in the photograph. The matching skirt, tie and hat are also available if you would like to make a complete ensemble.

This is a bestseller from Velda, made from drill cotton in khaki or red, with contrast bindings and a stainless steel front busk. It is steel boned throughout and features a gorgeous buckle front.

View our selection of Velda Lauder Corsets. Offer ends 30 April 2008.

Leicester Charity Burlesque Event  By Vicki  28 Mar 2008

We are delighted to be sponsoring a fabulous burlesque event, entitled Guys & Dolls, in Leicester on 26th April 2008. The event will raise money for ProstAid, the prostate cancer charity and will be held at Quebec, a venue in Leicester.

With burlesque performances from a host of lovelies including Meg La Mania, Amelie Soleil, Emerald Ace and Fifi Fatale and music from Erwin James and Friends. On the night, La Magia will be giving a £150 voucher as a prize for the best dressed guest, so put on your glad rags and come along!

The event is ticket only from 8pm, so if you would like tickets please send us an email and let us know how many you require. Tickets are £10 and this includes a delicious buffet. We'd love to see you there!

Angelic Weapons Debutante Collection  By Vicki  27 Mar 2008

Debutante is the stunning new collection from Angels Carrying Savage Weapons. A decadent mix of steel boned corsetry, boudoir panties and glamorous bustle skirts. Taking its influence from the 18th Century and the palace of Versailles, with all its richness of colour and texture, but with a contempory twist.

The collection of 10 corsets with matching boudoir panties is an extravagant blend of luxurious fabrics in gold, blue and cream, including satin, raw silks and brocades, with a hint of lace, crystals and pearls.

Collectors item Vivienne, featuring an image from Cupid and Psyche, a painting by Lionel Noel, is a numbered piece with only 35 being produced. Once 35 have been made the artwork will be archived and never used again making Vivienne a very special piece.

See our selection of Angelic Weapons Corsets.

Spring Sale!  By Vicki  23 Mar 2008

It's that time of year when we all need to clear some space for new collections, so we are offering very deep discounts on key pieces from a variety of designers and brands.

We have the dangerously seductive Sirena range from Kiss Me Deadly, the bra is marked down from £33.50 to £20 with matching brief, thong and suspender belt also available with up to 40% off. Lots of other Kiss Me Deadly goodies as well, including Mae, Lili and the much-coveted Vargas Girdle Dress.

All items from Ayten Gasson's Autumn/Winter Collection are discounted, as well as selected pieces from Naturana, Angels Carrying Savage Weapons, What Katie Did, Boobie Trap and Eternal Spirits.

In most cases there are only 1 or 2 pieces left per size so it is a case of first come first served. View our Special Offers now, and treat yourself to an unmissable bargain!

Oh and don't forget that until the end of March we are offering 20% off the Velda Lauder Dita Corset, time is running out!

What Katie Did New Collection  By Vicki  13 Mar 2008

We are delighted to present the Spring/Summer 2008 collection from What Katie Did. The new ranges are inspired by the first half of the 20th century, mostly focussing on the burlesque heyday of the 1940s and 1950s.

The new collection introduces us to the gorgeous Harlow range, made from vintage peach satin, organza and powermesh it includes their signature style satin bullet bra, a deep suspender, knicker and thong. The set is so perfect for the springtime. Prices range from £12 to £30.

There are lots of other exciting designs which we highly recommend you take the time to discover!

View all our What Katie Did items.

20% Discount on Velda Lauder's Dita Corset  By Vicki  03 Mar 2008

If you missed our fabulous Velda Lauder sale in February, fret not! For the entire month of March we are offering a 20% discount on the 'Dita' corset, as worn by Dita Von Teese. The matching skirt os also available if you would like to make a complete ensemble.

This is an absolute classic corset from Velda, made from a cool silver/grey fabric with a contrasting devore panel (concealing a stainless steel busk) and sumptuous satin bow to complete the look. It will accommodate all cup sizes up to and including F, and really shows off your curves to full effect.

View our selection of Velda Lauder Corsets. Offer ends Monday 31st March.

Ayten Gasson Spring Summer 2008  By Vicki  17 Feb 2008

Its no secret that Ayten Gasson is one of our favourite labels and so we are thrilled to introduce the Spring Summer 2008 collection. Inspired by vintage candy and penny sweets, the collection includes a palette of candy colours such as cream, baby blues, pinks contrast with stronger colours such as cerise, purple and black combined with vintage French laces and ribbon details with complimentary button and bow details.

The exciting new bridal range, Sherbet Bride is perfect for luxuriating before the big day or for some seriously glamorous lounging on the honeymoon! Made from soft cream silk with gorgeous 'something blue' lace trim you can choose from a loose teddy, bra and knickers and even an adorable garter and cuff set. It was actually a photograph of the Sherbet Bride bra and knicker set that first attracted us to Ayten Gasson back in 2007.

This entire collection has the playful elegance that has become the signature style of Ayten Gasson, with each piece hand finished by the designer. We can't recommend it highly enough.

View our selection of Ayten Gasson silk lingerie.

La Magia Introduces Boobie Trap Corsets  By Vicki  06 Feb 2008

For the last 3 years Boobie Trap have been making custom corsets for ladies of all shapes and sizes. We found them on MySpace and just knew straight away that we had to be able to offer these corsets to our customers. We were sold as soon as we saw their name! We actually added the corsets to our website in late 2007, and they were an instant hit. We thought it was about time we formally introduced them via the blog.

Kirsteen Ross, the talented corsetiere who runs the business and makes all the corsets has a great eye for fabrics and patterns, her designs are subversive and fun, different and edgy.

All corsets are handmade from start to finish by one corsetier using the finest materials with great attention to detail, with fabrics and trimmings from all over the world. These corsets are also affordable starting at just £95 for an underbust corset.

In terms of quality, comfort and fit - the low comparatively price does not reflect any of these factors. The corsets are not at all heavy or cumbersome to wear, they are very comfortable and supportive doing all the things a good corset should do. With the pre-requisite steel bones and busk you can expect to achieve a 2-4 inch reduction in your waist measurement.

We even have a limited edition cherry print corset which is exclusive to La Magia. With only enough fabric for 10 corsets it is unlikely you will find another woman wearing the same corset as you. Several have been snapped up already so the roll is getting thinner!

View our selection of Boobie Trap Corsets

Kiss Me Deadly Sand Cincher Review  By Vicki  05 Feb 2008

Following on from yesterday's review of the Alouette Sand Bra, here we have my thoughts about the matching cincher.

Generally speaking, shapewear ain't sexy....this is one of the reasons why the Alouette Cincher is so exciting because it is incredibly sexy. With its sheer mesh and lace overlay front panel, it certainly makes for a very stylish undergarment. Wearing it makes you feel sophisticated, sensual and very feminine.

In terms of comfort, the mesh is very soft against the skin, as is the front panel. The bones are soft and unintrusive. This cincher is never going to reduce your waist by 3 inches in the way that a spiral steel boned cincher corset will, but it certainly defines your waist and supports the stomach. It works great to keep your stockings up as well, you never feel that it is being pulled down at all. Notice the signature style 'proper' metal suspender clips, these mean business!

I am a UK size 10 (or 12 if the cut is on the small-side) and I wear the small size in this garment to give optimum support and shaping. Wearing this beneath your clothes is effortless, it disappears from view and is so comfortable you can forget about it. The detachable suspenders mean you can wear it with or without stockings. Need I say that it is also a winner in the bedroom, teamed with stockings, the matching bra and thong or briefs.

All in all an absolutely fantastic product from Kiss Me Deadly, versatile and exciting. If you scroll down you can see it worn (and removed) by Morgana in her burlesque debut!

Buy the Kiss Me Deadly Alouette Sand Cincher at La Magia.

Kiss Me Deadly Alouette Sand Bra Review  By Vicki  04 Feb 2008

It is so important that I wear the lingerie we choose to sell, I need to know how it fits, feels and performs so rigorous testing is always carried out. This can vary from wearing a corset to a 3 course dinner to assess comfort, to jogging in a soft bra to measure support. Its all part of your everyday job when you run a lingerie website, I know it sounds tough doesn't it?

So when it came to trying the Alouette Sand bra I was expecting the following; a fantastic cleavage, a comfortable and supportive cup and, of course, a great deal of sexiness. I had very high expectations and I was not disappointed.

The bra features a half padded cup, padded at the bottom to create a real uplift. The resulting cleavage is as good as any Wonderbra I have ever worn, and gives a wonderful pert, full shape under clothes. The geometric lace is smooth and unobtrusive so you can wear the bra beneath thin fabrics without showing any bulk or fussy patterns.

The fit is also spot-on and this means it is a very comfortable bra to wear. The result of all this is that, since first trying on the bra a couple of weeks ago I have worn it almost every day - with adequate hand-washing in between I hasten to add! The matching thong and cincher have naturally found their way to my knicker drawer, and I will write about the cincher tomorrow because it definitely deserves its very own post.

This bra is so versatile, it is pretty and sexy with its lace and chiffon bows yet it is a full-on, properly supporting bra that will cope with even the bounciest of bosoms and also looks gorgeous on a smaller cup. Every girls knicker drawer should have an Alouette Sand Bra, you owe it to your cleavage!

Buy the Kiss Me Deadly Alouette Sand Bra at La Magia.

Fantastic February!  By Vicki  01 Feb 2008

February is going to be an exciting month here at La Magia and the first bit of news is that for the entire month of February we are offering a 20% discount on all Velda Lauder corsets. This means you could pick up a bestselling Dita Corset (as worn by Ms Von Teese herself) for only £192 saving a massive £48! Or a gorgeous drill cotton corset as shown here for only £176!

Velda is one of the world's most talented corsetieres, with celebrity fans a-plenty. To name a few Velda has worked with Dita Von Teese, Marilyn Manson, George Michael, Robbie Williams and the Sugababes. So, if you've had your eye on one of Velda's creations for a while, now's your chance to snap up a bargain.

View our selection of Velda Lauder Corsets. Sale ends midnight Friday 29th February.

New Items from The Mistress Collection  By Vicki  21 Jan 2008

Some stunning new designs from The Mistress Collection have just been added to the website. As well as adding a gorgeous new 'Lipstick' colour to the silk knicker range, Julia has designed a classic kimono made from 100% silk and an adorable halter neck nightdress.

The kimono comes with contrasting wide sash, and features the classic full sleeves for that feminine, decadent look. Prices start at £25 for a pair of tie sided knickers and they really do make a wonderful present - perfect for Valentines!

View the entire range here.

Happy New Year!  By Vicki  01 Jan 2008

So its 2008 and we have created a fantastic sale to kick the year off with. With up to 50% off selected items there are some unmissable offers in our Winter Sale. But you have to be quick because many of the items are very low in numbers so if you see something you like our advice is to grab it quickly before someone else does!

View the La Magia Winter Sale!

Merry Christmas!  By Vicki  22 Dec 2007

After a very busy week making sure everybody's orders were dispatched in time for the big day, we are ready for some much needed rest and relaxation. From 22nd December until 2nd January we will not be processing any orders, and our telephone lines will not be staffed. We will, however, be checking our emails periodically so please do feel free to email us and you will receive a response.

We wish all our customers a very happy Christmas and look forward to another exciting year in 2008!

Kiss Me Deadly Burlesque Performance  By Vicki  17 Dec 2007

Morgana, thrilling as always, in her first ever burlesque performance at the recent launch party. Looking ravishing in Kiss Me Deadly Alouette in Sand.

Last Minute Christmas Gifts  By Vicki  14 Dec 2007

If you are like us and have been too busy to even think about Christmas presents we have a handy tip for you. We've compiled a selection of items available for Christmas delivery so you can quickly find items that are available immediately.

As ever we are on hand to help so if you have any questions please just contact us. Our phonelines are very busy at the moment so if you can't get through please email us as we have our emails open from around 8am until 11pm so its usually the quickest way to reach us.

Christmas Idea #3  By Vicki  11 Dec 2007

We have fallen in love with this: The Knickers Travel Bag. Designed by the lingerie experts over at Knickers Blog. Lovingly designed in 100% silk it is surely the perfect Christmas present for any lingerie lover! This is what Danae and Alison from Knickers Blog have to say about it...

Underwear can be practical and gorgeous, so why not an underwear bag? That’s why we designed this bag...we have a lingerie collection worth a small fortune, and stuffing it into plastic bags when we travelled broke our little fashionista hearts. We wanted something practical and luxurious, but couldn’t find anything lovely enough. So, we designed our own.

“Dirty” and “Clean” each have a hidden silk-lined pocket, which together can hold three or four bra sets (depending on your cup size). You can use it for a romantic weekend away, as a perfect storage bag for those really special sets, or as the ultimate Christmas gift bag for someone special.

Made in England from 100% silk, only 50 of these bags are available so if you like one head over to the shop now and put your order in! They retail at £50.00 per bag, a small price to pay for something so gorgeous!

Playful Promises Burlesque Performance  By Vicki  11 Dec 2007

Courtesy of the Playful Promises blog we are pleased to share with you the burlesque performance by Esme Bianco. The performance was one of the highlights of the recent Dress to Undress launch party at Madame Jojo's and is well worth a watch!

Click here to watch the beautiful Esme in action!

Christmas Idea #2  By Vicki  01 Dec 2007

It is 1st December and we are well and truly at the start of the festive season, so its time for another personal recommendation from us.

Sirena from Kiss Me Deadly was launched at the start of November and has been a huge hit, and its easy to see why. Subversive and sexual, delicate and decadent it is a stunning design that has really caught the eye of fashion writers and lingerie lovers.

It has a lightly padded demi cup with a lace overlay, a wide satin strap straight from 40’s icons and it is finished with delicate eyelash lace on the cups. More boudoir than everyday but surprisingly comfortable and gives the most fantastic shape to the bosoms!

The matching briefs, thong and suspender are equally beautiful and we think the price tag is very reasonable for something so special. This has been a bestseller for La Magia and we are holding extensive stocks right now but it is literally flying off our shelves so if you like this we would recommend you act quickly before it sells out, especially if you need one of the less common sizes.

View the entire Kiss Me Deadly Range at La Magia.

Dress to Undress  By Vicki  20 Nov 2007

We are back from a fabulous party at Madame JoJo's nightclub in Soho hosted by Kiss Me Deadly, Playful Promises and Fairy Gothmother.

We were entertained by the cream of burlesque and circus performers including the talented Esme Bianco and the dangerously divine Morgana (who can be seen by viewing our Kiss Me Deadly collections). Louise Watts, from Britain's Next Top Model, also made her burlesque debut and gave a fantastic performance!

Under the title of 'Dress to Undress' the party showcased the outfits from recent and upcoming collections and the girls looked absolutely amazing. It was fantastic to see the lingerie and corsetry on show, and working with a variety of figures from the very tall and slim to the tiny and voluptuous!

The audience consisted of friends, lingerie professionals and press and it is fair to say everybody was impressed so we look forward to reading lots of good things in the fashion mags over the coming weeks!

View the entire Kiss Me Deadly Collection

View our selection of Playful Promises

Christmas Idea #1  By Vicki  12 Nov 2007

Well there is no hiding from it, the gift-buying season is well and truly here. We are busy fulfilling lots of Christmas orders and as part of this we are often asked for personal recommendations or advice about what to buy.

For the next few weeks we will be highlighting some gorgeous gift ideas, and explaining why you would want to give these some space under your Christmas tree this year.

We highly recommend anything from the Ayten Gasson collection, as well as being beautiful the garments are easy to buy as gifts because they come in 3 easy sizes. We also include a matching silk eye mask with every order of £50 or above from our Ayten Gasson range.

Anything from Ayten Gasson would be a wonderful gift but we have picked the Josephine Slip with matching knicker as the ultimate treat from her collection. It is the bestseller but by no means a common item because like all Ayten's garments numbers are limited. Once they have gone, they've really gone.

With vintage-inspired stretch lace and cream ribbon tie details, finished with little cream roses it is the ultimate in luxury and teamed with the gorgeous matching knickers this makes a perfect gift.

We keep as many of these in stock as possible to ensure quick delivery but in rare cases we may need to have it made to order so the last order date for guaranteed Christmas delivery is Friday 30th November.

Eternal Spirits Midnight Collection  By Vicki  10 Nov 2007

We are delighted to introduce our customers to a selection of Eternal Spirits Autumn Winter Collection, known as Midnight.

We have added an assortment of new corsets in sumptuous colours and fabrics; rich emerald silk with swarovski crystals, rich black velvet, indulgent cream with black lace...the palette of colours used is perfect for the season.

Eternal Spirits corsets are beautiful, and versatile enough to be worn in the bedroom or for a special night out paired with a pencil skirt or a pair of skinny jeans. Made in England, each corset is crafted by hand and delivered to you in a stunning corset box. The emphasis is on making you feel pampered.

View our selection of Eternal Spirits Corsetry

Kiss Me Deadly Sale!  By Vicki  07 Nov 2007

To make way for the fabulous new collections from Kiss me Deadly we have heavily discounted the beautiful Lili (pictured) and Mae.

Once these are gone they will ever come back, and we can highly recommend both sets. Lili is my personal favourite and takes pride of place in my lingerie collection.

So now is the time to snap up a fantastic bargain, with prices starting at only £9. Either of these sets would make a perfect Christmas gift, or simply a treat for yourself.

View our current special offers!

Velda Lauder New Jewel Collection  By Vicki  22 Oct 2007

We are delighted to introduce our customers to Velda Lauder's New Jewel Collection, launched for Autumn/Winter 2007 at the Harrogate Lingerie Exhibition.

Its a tough call but our favourite would probably have to be the Scarlet Glitter Under Bust Corset shown in the photo on the right. With its vivid red glitter and gorgeous red bows it would be the perfect evening attire this party season.

Velda has also created a beautiful bridal collection, including a truly beautiful silk embroidery under bust corset in white and ivory.

View our entire selection of Velda Lauder Corsetry

La Magia Gift Vouchers Available Now!  By Vicki  19 Oct 2007

With Christmas shopping just around the corner we are pleased to be able to offer all our customers gift vouchers from £50 to £500. The perfect solution if you love what you see but can't decide what she'd like the most, or don't have her vital statistics easily to hand. With one of our gift vouchers she can choose for herself!

And these vouchers will not be a let down when you give them as a gift, presented in beautiful gift packaging with an optional handwritten card, a tape measure and measuring guide she'll have everything she needs to choose from our delicious range of lingerie and corsetry.

View our gift vouchers here, and don't miss our Gift Guide for handy hints.

Donate to Breast Cancer and win a Sirena Set  By Vicki  09 Oct 2007

We've teamed up with Knickers Blog to support Breast Cancer charities in the UK and US during the month of October.

To enter the giveaway and be in with a chance to win the beautiful Sirena set, worth £47/$100, just donate to the US or UK fundraising page during the month of October - it’s that simple! US visitors can support the American Breast Cancer Association by donating in dollars, and in the UK, you can donate to Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Both are fantastic charities, The American Breast Cancer Association is a small grassroots organization who provide free mammograms for uninsured women and run support groups for survivors. Breakthrough Breast Cancer is a research and education organisation who have launched the UK's first dedicated breast cancer research centre.

The target for each charity is $100 and £100 respectively, lets thrash it! Follow one of the links above to be taken to the page where you can donate, every little helps. Spread the word to all your friends and be sure to include your e-mail when you donate, otherwise Knickers Blog will have no way of contacting the lucky winner!

Knickers Blog Feature Sirena  By Vicki  07 Oct 2007

Our good friends over at Knickers Blog fell in love with the Sirena bra set from Kiss Me Deadly and so it seems have many of the Knickers Blog readers because we have received lots of pre-orders over the weekend.

Danae says "We’ll forgive you if you’re finding it difficult to read the words beneath these pictures - we can’t even stop drooling over this bra set long enough to actually write about it.....This is Sirena, part of Kiss Me Deadly’s brand-new collection launched at La Magia today, and Sirena is very, very lovely."

We also received news from Kiss Me Deadly that only limited numbers of Sirena and the Vargas Girdle Dress are in production, and so we are urging anyone interested in these items to place orders early to avoid disappointment.

You can view the entire article here and if you're not already a subscriber why not?! Sign up here for regular updates on all things lingerie.

Kiss Me Deadly New Collections at La Magia  By Vicki  03 Oct 2007

We are very excited to launch the new collections from Kiss Me Deadly, and to be the first boutique to make all of these fresh offerings available to order.

First we have Sirena, a vampish and intricate style combining midnight blue satin with black eyelash lace. The set comprises of a padded quarter cup bra, four-strap suspender belt and a choice of thong or brief. This is probably my personal favourite of the new bra sets.

Next there is Alouette in Sand, (pictured to the right) an update of the most popular Kiss Me Deadly style with an elegant floral lace overlay on a golden sand colour. The bra style is new too, its a padded plunge bra and is available in an expanded range of sizes from 32A to 40E. It is accompanied by a gorgeous waist cincher, a six-strap suspender belt and a choice of thong or brief.

Also new to the Alouette collection is the garter dress, in essence this is a plunging bra top, and then a very short dress part with six wide detachable straps at the base to hold your stockings up. Stunning

A brand new look for Kiss Me Deadly comes in the form of the luxurious Delacroix, pure silk in a striking teal shade which is flattering to all skin types. This set is made up of their signature style six-strap suspender belt, a midi line soft cup bra, a structured camisole and a classic pair of French silk knickers.

And finally we have the Vargas Collection, consisting of a roll-on girdle available in a variety of styles and a breathtaking girdle dress or corselette. The roll-on girdle is simple and easy to wear, enlivened by wonderful lace and floral prints. Four metal garter tabs can be used to attach any sort of stocking, but of course we would recommend the matching sheer or opaque printed stockings! The Vargas girdle dress in White and Aqua also rolls on and its double layer mid-section gives a superb waistline. The bra is lace over mesh with a strap that elegantly swoops from the base to the shoulder.

So many new designs, so many choices. We will keep much of these items in stock and will be taking our first delivery some time in November. Until then we are accepting pre-orders and any customers making pre-orders of £50 or more on the Kiss Me Deadly range will receive a free pair of stockings to complete their look. So be one of the first to take delivery of these gorgeous items and buy now from La Magia, no funds will be taken until we send the goods to you in November.

View the entire Kiss Me Deadly range at La Magia.

New Corsets from Maya Hansen  By Vicki  30 Sep 2007

We have added some fabulous new corsets from the endlessly talented Maya Hansen, and we couldn't slip them on without giving them some attention.

My personal favourite is the Pink Kitties Corset as modelled by Maya - yes, as well as designing and making her own corsets she also models them!

The new styles from Maya are more casual, great fun and very fresh looking. They can be teamed with a pair of jeans or dressed up with a satin pencil skirt, the point is you will really stand out wearing one of these designs - and for all the right reasons!

The other designs include an underbust corset with a Hawaii Pin Up motif, and a waist cincher carrying the classic skull and roses print.

View the entire Maya Hansen Collection here.

A Little Lingerie Company  By Vicki  21 Sep 2007

We first became aware of US-based A Little Lingerie Company (we call them LLC for short) thanks to our friends at The Lingerie Post. They have a good eye for what's up and coming and we totally understood their enthusiasm for this brand.

Run by Jennifer Michelle, a wonderful lady with a very interesting background; she used to be a epidemiologist until she suddenly one day decided, 'All I really want to do is sell lingerie.' (We're with you on this one Jennifer!)

She has created a fabulous range of Pin-Up style lingerie that gives the womanly, curve-flattering fit of vintage lingerie. But its not all about the look...she has created a unique underbust design that gives support without underwires or molded cups, perfect for all bust sizes and especially flattering for women in their 30s and 40s, or those who have had children.

Jennifer Michelle is passionate about the celebration of women's bodies, in every way from health to sex appeal, and this passion shows through in all her designs.

View the LLC range at La Magia.

A Personal Recommendation   By Vicki  14 Sep 2007

Last week we introduced our customers to the Autumn/Winter collection from Ayten Gasson, and today we have received our first delivery of stock. We make no apologies for being excited and passionate about what we do, we always enjoy stock delivery days - especially from a designer who is new to us.

Today's delivery was something really special though. The box was so light it was as if there was nothing inside it, this is because it contained garments made from 100% pure silk, which is light as a feather. And having opened the package, well I don't have the words to describe just how beautiful this lingerie is. Here's three that spring to mind...delicate, feminine, luxurious; the attention to detail and quality is outstanding.

We highly recommend anything from the Ayten Gasson collection, as well as being beautiful it is easy to buy as a gift because it comes in 3 easy sizes. As an introductory offer we are giving away a matching silk eye mask to every customer who spends £50 or more on anything from our Ayten Gasson department.

What Katie Did Autumn/Winter 2007   By Vicki  11 Sep 2007

We are pleased to present the brand new What Katie Did Autumn/Winter 2007 range, including the Cabaret Collection as well as other new goodies from Katie and the team.

The Cabaret Collection includes luxurious velvet corsets, a shimmering glitter corset, and an exciting range of sheer black organza lingerie.

And don't miss the new range of tulle hosiery, including hold-ups.

View the entire What Katie Did range.

The Blue Angel Collection from Angelic Weapons  By Vicki  05 Sep 2007

We are delighted to announce that the new Autumn/Winter 07 collection from Angels Carrying Savage Weapons, entitled 'The Blue Angel', is now available at La Magia.

This truly decadent mix of steel boned corsetry and glamorous clothing harks back to the days of the Kit Kat Club and 1930’s Berlin. Influences of the great Marlene Dietrich and the 1930’s screen sirens exude from this beautiful collection.

Browse the entire collection at La Magia.

La Magia Introduces Ayten Gasson  By Vicki  04 Sep 2007

Whilst open-minded, we are very picky about which brands and designers we will work with. Each one has to have a certain magical quality that we instantly know will be perfect for us, its not something we can describe in words but we know it when we see it.

Ayten Gasson has absolutely everything we look for, and then some! Amazing design using beautiful materials like silk and French lace, fabulous photography and brand image, and realistic prices. Each piece is individually hand made in the UK using traditional methods, and the vintage-inspired designs are irresistibly feminine and elegant.

We did promise you some wonderful additions to our brand portfolio, and with Ayten Gasson we are really living up to our word!

Browse the entire Ayten Gasson Autumn Winter 2007 Collection at La Magia.

Read an interview with Ayten here, courtesy of our friends at The Lingerie Post.

Planning Ahead  By Vicki  01 Sep 2007

As much as we hate to say it, Christmas isn't that far away now and so we wanted to remind everyone that some forward planning may be necessary for gift-buying.

Some of our lingerie and a lot of our corsetry is hand made to order, and can take anywhere between 2 and 6 weeks to be delivered. Due to busy schedules, these timescales can become longer from September onwards so we do urge our customers not to leave their gift-buying until the last moment.

As a general rule, if you are planning on buying a corset from us for a Christmas present we would strongly advise that you place the order with us before the end of October to avoid disappointment.

As time progresses we will specify the notice required for each brand/designer, and we will be as efficient as possible by holding as many items in stock as we can. As always we are on hand for any questions you may have about delivery times, or anything else! Just contact us for a speedy reply.

Patrick and Skinner Scrumptious Lingerie  By Vicki  30 Aug 2007

When Michelle Patrick contacted us and introduced us to her beautiful lingerie label it was love at first sight. Launched in February 2007, the first chocolate themed collection is merely an appetiser, a decadent hint at what's coming next.

Mint Choc-Chip was designed with all the naughty-and-nice elements of chocolate in mind, adorned with mint diamante sprinkles. Inspiration for the collection was drawn from the Victorian and Edwardian periods of British elegance, using luxury fabrics cut to lady-like patterns. Crafted from luscious silk, lace, ribbon and diamante the mint chocolate concept is carried through the entire collection with great style and flair.

Browse the entire Patrick and Skinner Collection at La Magia.

Nostalgia Retro Collection from Naturana  By Vicki  23 Aug 2007

We are pleased to announce that we have added a new brand to our portfolio. Naturana is a family-run German brand celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. To celebrate this, the brand has launched Nostalgia, a retro-inspired range of classic Naturana styles revamped with contemporary fabrics to give them a fresh, modern twist.

The range includes the sumptuous 'Satin Glamour Bullet Bra' which more than lives up to its name. Cut from the original 1950s pattern it is woven in contemporary cotton and satin for comfort and luxury. It comes with matching knickers and is available in black or caramel.

The caramel colour is divine and makes this bra so wearable. In classic fifties style the bra is not underwired, but is designed to be supportive and give great shape. The gentle conical shape is achieved by the breast filling the cup naturally.

There are two other retro-inspired bra styles with coordinating knickers and a suspender belt. With prices starting at only £12 Naturana offers unparalleled value for money.

View the entire Naturana Nostalgia collection here.

Harrogate August 2007  By Vicki  22 Aug 2007

We're on a high having spent the weekend at Harrogate, a beautiful place any time but even more beautiful twice a year when the Lingerie Expo comes to town.

We are very excited to have found several new designers to add to our ever-growing portfolio, and it was also fantastic to see the quality of the latest De Montfort graduates. The catwalk show was truly breathtaking and gives us so much hope for the future of the industry.

There will be so many additions and changes to the website over the coming months as we continue to grow, so keep watching this space!

Some Interesting Facts and Figures...  By Vicki  15 Aug 2007

Courtesy of Lingerie Buyer, the leading UK trade magazine for the lingerie industry, we found some very interesting results from a recent survey relating to bras carried out by Invista, the company behind the Lycra brand.

The report revealed that 25 per cent of UK women still do not think they have found the right bra size, and a disappointing 34 per cent find their bras uncomfortable. Northern Irish ladies appear to own the most bras with over half the respondents owning more than 10.

It wasn't just women who were involved in the survey, 50 per cent of British men have no idea what size their partner wears, with Welsh men being the least knowledgeable. Interestingly, it seems the older men get, the more likely they are to favour romantic lingerie over raunchier styles.

Playful Promises Alice's Party  By Vicki  13 Aug 2007

We are pleased to announce the return of Playful Promises to La Magia! We met with Playful Promises designer, Emma Parker, at the Intimate Show in London back in July and fell in love with her current collection, Alice's Party. This collection delivers the seductive bras, basques and thongs we have come to expect from Playful Promises, and now Emma has included some gorgeous suspender skirts and garter dresses for those of us partial to stockings.

We love Playful Promises as a brand because Emma is passionate about delivering the designer lingerie look at an affordable price. Playful Promises is a contemporary fashion brand with a flirty side, and places itself firmly in the boudoir with its unashamedly cheeky and coquettish designs. Sizing is easy as well, which makes for easy gift-buying!

There are more delights to come with the next collection entitled Doll Face. You can expect more garter skirts, some gorgeous silk camisole sets and lots more knickers! Keep checking our website for the new collections, we'll have it online just as soon as it becomes available.

View our current selection of Playful Promises lingerie. More items are being added as they become available.

Maya Hansen Bloomers  By Vicki  07 Aug 2007

After so many enquiries this is just a quick note to let everyone know that these gorgeous bloomers from Maya Hansen will be exclusively with La Magia from 1st September 2007, and are available for pre-order now!

Made from soft, sheer organza with a lace and satin ribbon trim, they are the perfect accessory for the boudoir. They come in a choice of pale rose (as shown in the photo above), nude, or black.

Browse the Maya Hansen Pink Porcelain Collection at La Magia

La Magia Exclusive - Introducing Maya Hansen  By Vicki  26 Jul 2007

We are delighted to introduce Maya Hansen to the UK! Maya is a Spanish designer specialising in corsetry, costume and couture. She graduated from Madrid Fashion Design Institute in 2002 and launched her brand in November 2003.

We are always on a quest to find new and unique designers, so when Maya contacted La Magia earlier in the year we absolutely were delighted. Maya has a very distinctive style and you can really see the Spanish influence in her designs. We love all the flourishes and fine details of each corset, ranging from satin bows to jewellery.

The Maya Hansen brand has a cult following in Spain, and we can see why! The designs are eclectic; spanning many different trends (goth, fetish, punk, rockabilly, fashion, traditional) and have a thread of creativity and flair running through them. All the corsets are steel boned and made from the highest quality materials.

Each corset is made to order and much of the work is carried out by hand.

Maya launched her new collection, Pink Porcelain, in June 2007. The collection is exclusively available in the UK at La Magia and we will be adding more corsets and accessories very soon.

Browse the Maya Hansen Pink Porcelain Collection at La Magia

Stockings: Sales Slipping?  By Vicki  24 Jul 2007

According to research published by Mintel last week, stocking sales plummeted 50 per cent ­ from £10m in 2002 to £5m in 2006, making up just 2 per cent of all hosiery sales.

According to the report: "Stockings are losing out as the mature section of their consumer base contracts and younger women turn to hold-ups as a more convenient alternative." The recent resurgence in eighties fashion has exacerbated the move away from stockings.

There is a perception that stockings are uncomfortable and inconvenient, but this just is not true. They are much cooler than tights so a must-have for the summer, and they are far more stylish. Teamed with a properly constructed suspender belt they will stay up and in place all day, and are not at all uncomfortable.

I'm pleased to report that we are enjoying ever-increasing sales of stockings and suspender belts, so we know others love them as much as we do. We are looking forward to introducing new ranges of stockings within the coming months, as well as new garter belts and girdles.

So come on ladies! Wear your stockings with pride. To give you a helping hand we are giving away a free pair of seamed stockings with any suspender belt or girdle purchased before the end of July 2007.

How to put on a bra according to Holly Valance  By Vicki  23 Jul 2007

We couldn't resist sharing this with our readers! The title says it all, enjoy!

The Pin-up Experience  By Vicki  21 Jul 2007

Here at La Magia we love to hear about other interesting businesses, especially ones that involve gorgeous lingerie and corsets! Nicole Klein is the lady behind The Hourglass a specialist photography company based in the South of England.

Nicole offers women of all ages and shapes the chance to be a pin-up for one day. This great experience takes place in your own home, and Nicole travels all over the UK. Nicole says "I chose Pin-up photography with a vintage touch, because it flatters the feminine side of women that I miss in 'ordinary' modern fashion photography."

"In fact I think that vintage pin up photography admired female beauty and put the women themselves into the spotlight instead of their sexual features. They were innocent but very erotic photos. Something that modern pin ups often lack."

For more information visit the website and be sure to check out the forum which is populated by a lovely group of ladies with all the vintage fashion tips you need!

For vintage and retro-style lingerie browse our What Katie Did collection.

La Magia Lily Corsets Out On Show!  By Vicki  05 Jul 2007

As promised, here are a couple of pictures of our Lily Corsets being worn by the gorgeous girls at a recent London promo party.

We also made the beautiful chokers out of red satin with an antique lace and bead overlay. These perfectly matched the red lacing on the back of the corsets.

The lovely Sophie, our contact at Kasimira Party Organisers, said the girls stole the show and loved wearing their corsets. They certainly look like they had lots of fun!

La Magia Eleanor Low Back Corset  By Vicki  01 Jul 2007

Eleanor is a very special corset for lots of reasons.

• Colours: Ivory or Nude.
• Fabric: Duchess Satin
• Bones: Lightweight Spiral Steel, 16 in total giving the perfect shape and comfort.
• Finishing Touches: Low Back, Smooth Front, Satin Ribbon Lacing, Satin Lining, Modesty Panel, Optional Detachable Suspenders.

We spent a long time designing Eleanor, always keeping the bride in mind. Brides can feel very weighed-down and tied-in to their dress, the last thing we wanted to do was add to this so Eleanor is light as a feather. The reason we have not included the usual stainless steel busk at the front is to increase comfort and mobility, as well as a flawless and smooth finish beneath the dress.

Eleanor is available in a pale ivory or an exclusive nude colour which we chose for its subtlety and simple beauty. Officially the colour is called Mocha but opinions so far have ranged from gold to champagne to caramel. Whatever you call it - its gorgeous!

The low back speaks for itself, and the use of satin ribbons instead of the cord/rope lacing most corsetiers use makes the laces much more feminine and easier to tuck away inside the dress. But is it strong enough? Fear not! This double-faced satin ribbon is every bit as strong as the usual lacing and so much more comfortable.

The optional suspender straps are removable and completely adjustable. They are adorable with their 'something blue' bows and silver hearts. Made in a classic 1940s style they feature strong clasps to make sure your stockings stay in position all day!

Measuring approximately 14 inches at the front and 10 inches at the back this is the perfect length for most wedding and bridesmaid dresses. It is shaped to give you optimum cleavage, a reduced waist and a flat tummy. It will also give you the perfect posture on your wedding day, and that is so important.

La Magia Lily Longer Style Corset  By Vicki  30 Jun 2007

Lily is the big sister to Victoria and is ideal for those who are blessed with a little more height, or anyone looking for more coverage either of the bust or tummy area.

Key Features

• Colours: Black, Red or Ivory.
• Fabric: Duchess Satin
• Bones: Lightweight spiral Steel, 16 in total giving the perfect shape and comfort.
• Finishing Touches: Satin Ribbon Lacing, Satin lining, modesty panel.

16 inches in length at the front and 15 inches at the back, it has a sweetheart bust line which provides more coverage whilst still giving a wonderful cleavage. And it goes without saying that Lily will give a reduced waist measurement and a flat tummy.

For those who are below 5ft 5 we would recommend Victoria, as its shorter in length.

La Magia Victoria Satin Corset  By Vicki  29 Jun 2007

Victoria is the first of our corsets. Victoria is the ideal entry-level corset, but equally makes the perfect addition to any corset-collectors wardrobe.

Key Features

• Colours: Black, Red or Ivory.
• Fabric: Duchess Satin
• Bones: Lightweight spiral Steel, 16 in total giving the perfect shape and comfort.
• Finishing Touches: Satin Ribbon Lacing, Satin lining, modesty panel.

Measuring approximately 14 inches long at the front and 13 inches at the back this is the perfect length for most people. It is shaped to give you optimum cleavage, a reduced waist and a flat tummy. What more can we say? Victoria is a great all-rounder!

Victoria has already received lots of praise from our customers, take a look at their feedback for more information.

For those who are taller or longer in the body, or who are looking for a more shaped bustline, should take a look at Lily, our longer style corset.

Exclusive Luxury Corsets from La Magia  By Vicki  28 Jun 2007

We are very proud to announce that we have officially launched our own range of steel-boned corsets. In partnership with our very good friends Lindsay and Lee of Angels Carrying Savage Weapons, we have designed three beautiful corsets.

Each of these corsets has been very carefully designed based on feedback we have received from customers over the past 12 months. We wanted to make sure our corsets fit real modern women with realistic figures! And because they're ours we can be much more flexible with regards to custom orders and made to measure requests.

In actual fact two of them have been discreetly available on our website since the beginning of June, but we have only just finished processing our photographs from last week's photoshoot with the talented John Cleland and the beautiful Martina Goodman modelling for us.

Demand for these corsets in June has been high and we supplied 6 corsets for a recent London launch party. The promo girls looked amazing and loved their corsets, photos will arrive soon so we'll post them on here for everyone to see.

You can find these lovelies in our Corset category and we will go into more detail about each one in separate blog entries over the next few days because there is so much to say about each of them, and they are all so different.

What Katie Did Special Offers  By Vicki  22 Jun 2007

Whilst we eagerly await the imminent launch of some new designs from What Katie Did we have discounted several of our favourite items from the What Katie Did range.

We've taken 3 of our bestselling items and slashed the prices for the remainder of this month (June). You can pick up a pair of Frilly Knickers for £11.99 (RRP £14), a Maitresse Bullet Bra for £21.99 (RRP £25) or a Lulu Girdle for £33.99 (RRP £40).

These special discounts will only apply until the end of June 2007 so don't miss out! And remember, delivery is free wherever you are in the world. Aren't we good to you?!

Lily's Summer of Love  By Vicki  20 Jun 2007

Lily's Friends Invite you to a weekend of music under the full Dorset moon To Remember Lily and to raise money for "The Action for Brazil's Children Trust". June 29th - July 1st 2007.

Lily was hit by a car on the streets of Dublin where she was in her first year at university. She died shortly after on 7th December 2006, aged 20 years. Lily will always be remembered as an active, energetic, beautiful and intelligent girl and we can't let her be forgotten and we must celebrate her life.

Lily spent a lot of time in Brazil last year and became determined to do something about the standard of living of Brazil's street children. Sadly she didn't live to be able to fulfil this dream. However in her memory John and Sophie her parents found the ABC trust and felt it embodied everything that Lily wished to be involved in. They have since been out to Brazil and found two projects which they would like to support in Lily's name.

This Festival is directly supporting this cause and through it we hope to raise a substantial amount for these projects. For more info visit www.lilyssummeroflove.co.uk where you can book tickets.

La Magia are sponsoring the talented burlesque duo Chiquita Bonita and Lucrezia La Bomba. We have provided them with 2 outfits comprising of the Sophia Corset, frilly knickers and retro seamed stockings. We've been treated to some preview pics and thet look completely gorgeous! We hope to post some pictures of the girls in action after the festival.

Summer Sale  By Vicki  17 Jun 2007

If you haven't already had a look, you should take a look at our Summer Sale where there are a selection of fantastic corsets and lingerie items at fantastically reduced prices! Pick up a bargain!

Pets Exhibition  By Vicki  05 Jun 2007

One of our favourite photographers is once again exhibiting in Nottingham, this time at 17 Huntingdon Street. Natalie will be showing her new collection of photography inspired by pets, our relationships with them and self-expression.

Expect more beautiful, unusual photography from Natalie - her work is in a class of its own. You will also be able to enjoy gorgeous pin-up art courtesy of the talented Charlotte Thomson.

If you fancy going along to the Private Viewing on Saturday 9th June, email Natalie at nataliejwatts@hotmail.com for tickets. You'll be entertained by the likes of Beatrix Von Bourbon, Millie Doller and Liberty Sweet. The exhibition runs from 5th - 15th June. Click on the flyer for more information.

Angelic Skirts Now Available at La Magia  By Vicki  27 May 2007

We now have three stunning additions to our Angels Carrying Savage Weapons range. Three skirts especially made to be worn with corsets; Jezebel, Bustle Bow and Burlesque.

Each is hand made to order from the finest Duchess Satin and you simply cannot find more beautiful skirts, they ooze glamour and sophistication and will be the perfect addition to your wardrobe. Teamed with a pair of stockings, heels and a divine corset you will be dressed to kill!

The skirts are available in a size 6 all the way to a size 20 (UK standard sizes) and, thanks to the careful design, they will flatter any figure.

View the Angelic Weapons Collection.

Eternal Spirits at Cannes  By Vicki  21 May 2007

Eternal Spirits have been selected to show case their latest designs on the ‘A’ list Fashion TV yacht during the Cannes Film festival this week.

The catwalk show will take place on Wednesday 23rd May 2007 11.59pm On board the Fashion TV yacht named ‘Delphine’ Port Pierre Canto 06400 CANNES

Hosting an onboard party are Hollywood’s leading golden couple Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. Confirmed guests include George Clooney and Dita Von Teese, plus a host of other Hollywood greats including Heath Ledger, Matt Damon plus leading Fashion TV favourites!

Eternal Spirits were hand picked from hundreds of other lingerie labels all competing for a hot spot on the Fashion TV yacht. Eternal Spirits director Susi Henson has chosen to show 20 outfits from her current ‘Sundae Matinee’ Collection (SS07) and forthcoming ‘Midnight’ (AW07).

The fashion show will include a mix of classic hand crafted Eternal Spirits corsetry, teamed with boudoir inspired lingerie and bedroom accessories. All pieces from the Eternal Spirits collection are all manufactured in the UK, within their Nottingham studio.

Browse the Eternal Spirits collection at La Magia.

Kiss Me Deadly Mae  By Vicki  15 May 2007

Once again we are thrilled to be the first boutique anywhere in the world to bring you the Mae collection by Kiss Me Deadly. It is another beautiful set comprising of multiway bra, brief or thong and suspender belt.

It is worth highlighting that the quality of all the suspender belts from Kiss Me Deadly is unrivalled. With wide, adjustable straps which have metal clips these are some heavy duty belts but they look and feel so feminine. You can opt for the standard 4-straps or go for the 6-strap option which is recommended for those who favour nylon stockings.

Created from luxurious black satin, Mae has a sensual elegance with its cerise trim and delicate matching bows. A sleek, un-fussy yet very pretty set from Kiss Me Deadly.

Available now, the first deliveries will be coming out to you on 17th May 2007.

What Katie Did - Best Costume Designer  By Vicki  13 May 2007

The 2007 Ministry of Burlesque Awards were held on May 6th at the famous Pigalle Club in London. There were numerous categories, from Best Female Burlesque Performer to Best Photographer.

The nominees received a total of over over 26,000 votes over March and April 2007 in a two stage, all-inclusive poll that was run from the Ministry of Burlesque website.

What Katie Did fought off fierce competition from Eternal Spirits, Bo's Tit Bits and Mint Siren to take the award for Best Costume Designer. It is great to see them get the recognition for their fantastic burlesque lingerie and retro designs and we can't wait to see more gorgeous vintage-inspired designs from Katie and her team.

Visit the Ministry of Burlesque website

Browse our What Katie Did collection.

Kiss Me Deadly Lili  By Vicki  09 May 2007

We are pleased to be the first boutique anywhere in the world to bring you the Lili collection by Kiss Me Deadly. It is a stunning set comprising of multiway bra, brief or thong and suspender belt.

Created from luxurious black satin with black lace trim, Lili has an ice-cool elegance with its aqua velvet trim and delicate bows. Truly beautiful and, of course, delivers the same great structure, fit and shape as we have come to expect from Kiss Me Deadly.

Available for pre-order now, the first deliveries will be coming out to you on 17th May 2007.

Wedding Belles - The Luxury Option  By Vicki  30 Apr 2007

One of our most precious corsets also makes one of the most beautiful wedding corsets, but this one needs showing off as opposed to being hidden under a dress.

Monique In Gold from Angels Carrying Savage Weapons is just perfect with an ivory or gold bridal skirt. Made from the finest gold brocade it has sumptuous lace and bead trim, antique gold ribbon lacing and duchess satin lining to make sure the luxury continues inside as well as out.

Its shape ensures it is complimentary to all figures, and it can be made to measure for only £70 on top of the normal price of £269.

What Katie Did at The Royal Opera House...  By Vicki  27 Apr 2007

Key pieces from What Katie Did are being used as costumes in The Seven Deadly Sins Royal Ballet production. The Seven Deadly Sins is a new ballet production and yesterday was it's world premier. It runs for only a few dates over the next couple of weeks. More info can be found here.

Under the headline 'Swan Lake it ain't...', The Daily Mail voiced their outrage (as usual) that the dancers are performing in the 'skimpiest of lingerie'. We, on the other hand, think they look absolutely divine in their Lulu bras and girdles!

If you can't make it to the Royal Opera House, or ballet isn't your cup of tea, not to worry. You can view the entire Lulu range here at La Magia!

Elegance, A Novel by Kathleen Tessaro  By Vicki  23 Apr 2007

I have recently finished reading this fantastic book, loaned to me by a good friend. Elle magazine describes it as 'an irresistible love story and self-help manual rolled into one', and that definitely sums it up.

Within the pages there is a section on lingerie which truly made me laugh out loud. The main character, Louise, is discussing underwear with her friend Ria who is showing her some gorgeous designer lingerie. Ria is trying to educate Louise in the importance of the right lingerie...

'Of course, not every pair of knickers is going to be gorgeous - you wouldn't even want that. But...everything you own should do its job with a semblance of grace and dignity. Underwear isn't just underwear, Louise; it's the true garment of your secret sexual self. And nasty knickers sabotage your sexual self esteem.'

Never a truer word spoken as far as I'm concerned!

My Angelic Night Out  By Vicki  13 Apr 2007

Today I am recovering from a fantastic night out in Soho. Lindsay, the designer/corsetiere/goddess behind Angels Carrying Savage Weapons has been working very hard* to provide cabaret duo 'The Germaniaxx' with costumes for their performances, and last night they appeared at a full-to-bursting Soho Revue Bar.

The costumes included red corsets with sequin trim and sexy dipped bust designs, trouser suits with gorgeous cropped jackets, skirts straight out of a fairytale and some ultra-cute high-waisted shorts. The girls looked amazing in their new outfits and were bowled over by the quality of the garments.

The Germaniaxx are a unique anglo-german cabaret duo conceived in 2006. Their act is made up of a collection of cheeky, naughty songs from 1920s and 1930s German cabaret scene including numbers from Kurt Weill, Threepenny Opera and Marlene Dietrich to Zara Leander and the Comedian Harmonists, as well as some other well known tunes which are sung both in English and in their original German language.

I'll add some pictures of the girls in their outfits as soon as possible.

* To give you a small insight into what I mean by 'working very hard', Lindsay was sewing sequins on corsets and trouser suits in the back seat of the car while we drove to London! Lindsay's commitment to perfection never ceases to amaze me.

Kiss Me Deadly April Offers  By Vicki  09 Apr 2007

While we eagerly await the launch of the two new designs from Kiss Me Deadly, Lili and Mae, we are giving all our customers a great discount on the Alouette range currently in stock at La Magia.

For those who have not yet encountered Kiss Me Deadly, they are a boutique label based in London inspired by the silver screen, retro-chic and all things glamourous. The Alouette range includes a multi-way bra which is lightly padded to enhance and support the bust. It is classic in design and gives an absolutely beautiful shape. It even includes pockets for extra padding if desired.

To complement the bra we have a deep suspender belt with a curve-flattering control mesh panel to the front, sumptuous lace overlay and some of the best made straps we've ever seen. It manages to be sexy yet functional all at the same time.

And then of course the knickers, you have the choice between a full brief or a thong. The thong looks particularly good with the suspender belt.

With up to 15% off the retail price and free shipping anywhere in the world, this is a truly fantastic offer, open to all customers until midnight Monday 30th April. And every customer who spends £30 or more on our Alouette range will receive a gorgeous pair of retro seamed stockings for free (RRP £4.49).

La Magia Reviews: What Katie Did Lulu Girdle  By Vicki  06 Apr 2007

As it was my birthday on 31st March I decided to treat myself to the rather lovely Lulu Girdle in black and pink. Some may think 29 years old is a little young to be wearing a girdle, but this girdle is something a bit different...

Made from firm control powermesh it is designed to hold you in and, with some shapewear, this can result in discomfort but the Lulu Girdle delivers a pleasant hugging sensation. The other pleasing feature is that it does not ride up or roll up as you wear it. It stays put, and to be honest I totally forget that I'm wearing it once I'm dressed.

In terms of keeping your stockings in place this beats any suspender belt I've ever worn. This is not only because of its figure-hugging design, but also because it has 6 metal suspender clips, and they are there to work very hard for you. And they do!

And when it comes to looking good, all I can say is it certainly seems to have the desired effect on my better half! And wearing it makes you feel elegant and sensual, what more could you ask for?

Available in black and pink or black and red for only £39.99, and you should also check out all the matching items to complete your look.

What Katie Did on Wags Boutique!  By Vicki  04 Apr 2007

The fabulous What Katie Did range was featured on Wags Boutique this week when they were faced with a burlesque challenge, overseen by the fabulous burlesque artist Kittie Klaw.

Not only did the Wags have to sell the items in their boutiques, they also had to put on a burlesque performance at the Soho Revue Bar, and we think they did rather well! They looked gorgeous in their chosen items and it was great to see how much fun they had.

Cassie and Michaela were transformed into Burlesque artists, showcasing such delights as the must-have frilly knickers, seamed fishnet tights, the Sophia in cornflower blue (one of our real favourites) and the Pigalle underbust corset teamed with a Lulu Bullet Bra and Pigalle nipple tassles!

For all these and more visit our What Katie Did department and enjoy!

Ooh la la!  By Vicki  23 Mar 2007

Today it was my pleasure to attend the Ooh la la! burlesque-inspired art exhibition at View From The Top Gallery in Nottingham. The exhibition showcased burlesque-inspired photography, artwork, corsetry, accessories and more.

The exhibition space itself was great and the atmosphere was good. I am not an art-exhibition 'type' and often feel initimidated in such surroundings, but felt totally at ease here. The first exhibits to grab my attention were the huge prints of Natalie J Watts' photographs (all of which can be found and purchased on her website/myspace profile). I picked up this gorgeous print (albeit a more modest A5 size) which I absolutely adore. I have promised myself that one day, when I have more space, I will treat myself to the full size version!

I don't know much about art, but I know what attracts me and Natalie captures this in her photography. For me her photographs ask questions, and every time I look I see more. I find her work subversive, dark and dangerous. She also has the gift of illuminating beauty even if the subject matter is not conventionally beautiful.

I also enjoyed the work of Nancy Farmer who has created a portfolio of artwork called "Fetish Dollies". Absolutely hilarious and so refreshing to see someone not taking their work too seriously. You can tell Nancy has great fun and you can find out all about it at her website www.fetishdollies.co.uk, although the easily-offended should probably give this one a miss!

The exhibition closes Monday March 26th, anyone interested should visit www.oohlala-art.co.uk and take a look at Natalie's work at www.nataliejwatts.com. Take your purse with you, there are lots of attainable lovelies to tempt you; postcards, picture frames, fascinators, bags...the works!

We'll be sure to keep you updated on any future events involving Natalie.

La Magia Presents Made By Niki  By Vicki  21 Mar 2007

We are delighted to have added Made By Niki to our growing portfolio of designers. After launching in Autumn 2006, Niki’s limited editions quickly became stocked in some of the world's finest boutiques in London, New York and LA.

Niki combines traditional support techniques and historic fabrics with strong, modern designs which appeal to leading women all over the world. Her collections are worn by Victoria Beckham, Gwen Stefani, Dita Von Teese and KT Tunstall along with many other women who are looking for something which reflects their individuality and style.

Each limited edition bra and waspie carries its own hand-painted number, making these collectors items as well as beautiful garments. Seven bras have been commissioned especially for La Magia, and as numbers are very limited these are seriously exclusive.

Every garment offers the ultimate in versatility - from the little knicker belts that can be worn with your outfit, to the fully reversible waspies and corsets that mean you get two for the price of one. Made by Niki was the first lingerie brand to include removable, multiway jewellery that can be worn with or without the lingerie.

So don't be misled into thinking all this talk of exclusivity and collectibles means these items shouldn't be worn! The bras fit like a dream and give fantastic support, the knickers are designed to be flattering to every shape and the waspies are just breathtaking.

Niki has so many exciting plans for the future, and we look forward to bringing them all to our customers as they become available. You can browse all our Made By Niki items here and if you have any questions or special requests please contact us and we will be happy to help.

Ask Vicki....  By Vicki  13 Mar 2007

As a hands-on team we love talking to our customers, and every day we are asked all kinds of questions. I decided to start a new feature for the blog whereby interesting questions and answers are published, with all names removed to protect the innocent!

So, on to the first question and answer which involved choosing the correct corset...

"I have a small frame but quite a large bust. I normally wear a size 30E bra and I would love to find a really supportive corset with good underwire and cup support so it lifts up and supports my breasts like a bra does. Can you suggest anything?"

Because of the way corsets are designed they do not require underwiring or cups, the lacing and the shape of the garment pushes the breasts up to create a better cleavage than any bra could ever give you! A corset is perfectly suited to those of us with smaller frames and larger busts because it gives a tiny waist and really shows off our best bits!

All the corsets on our website would give great boost and support to your cleavage so its difficult to recommend a particular one as they are all very good at it. Generally speaking, corsets with straight bustlines give a more dramatic effect (think heaving bosoms in costume dramas!!) a great example is:

Victoria Satin Corset

Belladonna Corset

Ones with a more shaped bustline would give you a more rounded, bra-type effect. We have many but here are a few examples:

Lily Longer Style Corset

What Katie Did Cornflower Blue Corset (also available in pink or black).

Any of our corsets would give you a fantastic cleavage, and you have full control over how much of a boost you get by tightening and loosening the lacing to fit the occasion. Of course, the fact your waist will look slimmer as well accentuates the bust so this helps too.

Katie Did it Again!  By Vicki  08 Mar 2007

What Katie Did have created some stunning new collections for Spring/Summer 2007. We were the first boutique online (and offline) to offer the new collections to our customers!

Both are still being made at the time of writing, however you can pre-order from us now and be one of the first people to own the new collections when they are released.

Dorothy, with its adorable polka dot motif is available from the end of March and consists of an undebust corset, knickers, suspender belt and bullet bra. All of which can be bought separately if you prefer.

And then we have the pretty Doris, my personal favourite. A gorgeous gingham design available in black or pink, the collection includes and underbust corset, soft bra and lovely knickers with an unpretentious yet playful frill. Not forgetting the pasties shown in the photo, they are handmade and available to buy at la Magia.

To celebrate the launch of these beautiful collections we are giving away a free pair of black retro-seamed stockings with every order from the What Katie Did range!

Marvellous March!  By Vicki  01 Mar 2007

Pinch punch first of the month! And what a month we have in store.

We had the time of our lives at the Harrogate Lingerie Exhibition last weekend and we are bursting with excitement because we have some wonderful designers to share with you over the next couple of months.

As well as extending our corset collection to include corsetieres who dress everybody from Dita Von Teese to Kylie, we will be introducing some truly divine lingerie collections from some of Europe's hottest and most exclusive designers. All will be revealed, but not just yet, we like to be mysterious!

Get on the list if you don't want to miss out on all the exciting developments!

Elegant lingerie for femme fatales...  By Vicki  06 Feb 2007

We are proud to add a new and exciting designer range to our ever-growing offering of luxury lingerie. Kiss Me Deadly, a London based label finding inspiration in classic retro glamour, art, burlesque, the silver screen . Designed by women, for women, the brand delivers sensual designs that are luxurious to look at yet practical to wear, modern in design yet classic in style.

Available right now is the breathtakingly romantic Alouette range in crimson or pink (we can't decide which we prefer, they are both so lovely!), and we eagerly await the launch of 2 new black satin ranges in April 2007. Lili, with its contrasting aqua velvet ribbon, and Mae with cerise velvet trim. Both are stunning and will be available here at La Magia as soon as they are released.

We love the name and the feeling of indulgence this boutique brand evokes, and we look forward to seeing more from Kiss Me Deadly in 2007 so watch this space.

Valentines  By Vicki  31 Jan 2007

Valentines is drawing ever closer and lingerie is the perfect gift. To help you along the way we've selected a few of our favourites, there's so many to choose from it wasn't easy! You can visit our special Valentines Selection or view our entire catalogue by browsing through all our departments.

If you're looking for a naughty-but-nice treat that won't break the bank why not opt for our gorgeous Tear Drop Briefs. They are made from sheer pink mesh with satin trim and flirty ribbon to the back. Ordering couldn't be simpler, there are just 3 sizes - Small, Medium and Large- and as ever we are on hand to help if you need any assistance with sizing.

Not for the faint-hearted, our Miss Naughty Noir bra and knicker set will bring out the saucy-yet-stylish side of your Valentine, and the more shy ladies won't feel uncomfortable because, although this is a peephole bra and knicker set, the satin ribbons can be left tied up to maintain modesty.

And for the ultimate in romance and luxury we have the corsets, so many to choose from. We love the beautiful Cerise Chinese Silk Corset made from genuine Chinese blossom-design silk.

We offer free gift wrapping so all you have to do is spend some time browsing our website, make your choice, make the payment, then sit back and relax. Its a hard life.....

A Dress for Cinderella...  By Vicki  30 Jan 2007

A wonderful project in Russia utilises Wedding Dresses from the UK to inspire young Russian girls who would not normally expect to see or handle such a beautiful gown to borrow one for their special day. It is just one of the many projects coordinated by NPAC (Nottingham Police Aid Convoys), a group which was set up in 1993 when a group of officers used their influence, networks and negotiating skills to procure and then deliver huge amounts of humanitarian aid to the nightmarish refugee camps in Yugoslavia.

With the support of NPAC and its contributors, the Russian Charity ‘Caring Heart’ has set up a number of salons or agencies where girls can choose a dress, shoes and accessories - all free of charge. The girls are inspired by the salons and they make such a difference to their lives, often allowing them to stay locally instead of running away to the cities. Many of them learn the invaluable skills of mending and sewing in the charity salons.

David Scott, Inspector and Chairman of NPAC contacted us and explained that they have a good supply of once worn or sample chain store dresses, but nothing in the way of decent modern underwear for the shop windows. We were delighted to contribute to such a wonderful cause, and will continue to support NPAC in the future.

If you'd like to donate to this charity, or learn more about their many projects, visit http://www.npac.org.uk.

Clearance Sale!  By Vicki  21 Jan 2007

As if you weren't already spoilt for choice with our 10% corset sale (which ends Friday 26th January at midnight) we now have several clearance offers available with up to 20% off selected items! Visit our clearance section to see what's on offer, and remember once these item have gone they've really gone! Some never to return again as they are discontinued items.

What Katie Did  By Vicki  17 Jan 2007

From today we will be offering all our customers some fantastic items from the What Katie Did range of vintage-style lingerie, hosiery and corsetry.

What Katie Did is an English label specialising in designs inspired by the 1940s and 50s, using fabrics and patterns which were available at that time for an authentically retro look and feel. Everything about the brand speaks of quality and authenticity. The models used all have a retro look about them, and carry off the brand image very well. They are always in the press and they are growing in popularity all the time.

Their customers range from vintage-hunting teens to ladies in their sixties who remember their older sisters and mothers wearing bullet bras and girdles the first time round!

Each item is made by hand by one person, from start to finish. They are a small company, extremely passionate about their lingerie and we are thrilled to be able to work with them.

Watch out for the new Spring/Summer collection which we'll be featuring from March 2007, in the meantime our top picks are the Audrey Corset, Gina Waist Cincher and Maitresse Bullet Bra.