This month, cue your partner to stuff your holiday stocking with something that’s sensual and useful – Cosabella’s holiday collection of lingerie. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, right?
The collection, “La Dolce Vita Act Two,” from the family-owned Italian lingerie company, takes its inspiration from the old-school glamour of New York and pairs a sense of sexy sophistication with the lavishness of fine Italian details such as lace, cashmere-blended fabrics and even soft metallic designs. Cosabella, with its frills to thrill, is for the Sophia Loren in all of us.
This season’s rich offerings are anything but ordinary. From Cosabella’s exclusive Neiman Marcus cozy leopard-print pajamas ($130) to the Never Say Never Foxie lacy black chemise ($117) to the New Soire Push-Up Bra ($94) in shell pink, variety is abundant, while a feminine, stylish storyline is clear.
With the emergence of luxurious inner-wear as an increasingly important part of the wardrobe, lingerie companies, which actually predict color trends ahead of fashion houses, are keying in on the couture possibilities. Cosabella accommodates the trend of low-cut shirts with the lacy straps of soft bras like the popular Never Say Never Sweetie Soft Bra ($52.50). Or you can match this season’s wine-toned shirt to a plum-colored Thea Bandeau Bra ($90) and Hi-Cut Bikini ($36.50) at Cosabella’s downtown Manhattan flagship store or at major department stores.
According to public relations coordinator Shanon Kogler, many customers collect Cosabella, hand wash their lingerie (an essential step) and keep it for 20 years.
“Because of the high quality of our laces and fabrics, there is really value in that rather than buying something elsewhere for half the price,” Kogler says. “It’s an investment and it’s worth it.”
Like the sexy push-up bra. Cosabella’s co-founder Ugo is a fashionably forward engineer with a high-tech approach to design so that shoppers can decide how much push-up they want and in exactly what places before selecting the style that suits their desires. This season, New Soire Molded Bra ($67.50) comes in sophisticated, jewel-toned colors and the New Soire Demi Cup Bra ($90) is a favorite, too.
And with leopard auditioning as the new neutral, Cosabella offers the sleek leopard-print Anouck robe ($140), featured in Neiman Marcus’ Christmas Book, which would benefit a woman of any age. Pair it with the peekaboo black Kitty Soft Triangle bra with leopard straps ($72) and a black low-rider thong ($22.50). Va va voom.
“An animal print is one of those things where it’s a print that’s not a print, so anyone could really wear that,” Kogler says. “So our customer that’s 22 will come in and buy a pair of animal-print pajamas and then our customer who’s 50 will buy it. …It’s a great seller.”
For a mature and gorgeous take on this year’s sparkle and shimmer trend, ask Santa for the Cleope collection of black lingerie with either silver or copper lace-in-lace details that don’t feel stiff like so many metallic appliqués. It would make for a beautiful way to celebrate the new year in sexy style. For the full look, get the Cleope Soft Bra, $70; Brazilian minikini, $42.50; and baby-doll negligee, $179.50.
And don’t forget to indulge yourself this season with the luxurious silk chiffon Valeria collection. Pair the Valeria three-quarter sleeved black sheer chiffon short robe with the seductive black and blush Elise Soft Bra ($72.50) and Elise low-rider hot pant ($47.50), which features a decorative shadow-effect black lace overlay in the front and a totally playful blush sheer backside that hugs just right.
Cosabella has earned many devoted customers over the years, whether it’s by offering hidden luxuries like soft, natural fibers or cashmere blends or showcasing opulence with winter-worthy velvet details on a Narini collection negligee ($154.50) and matching low-rider bikini ($43.50).
Gearing up for holiday season and Valentine’s Day, Kogler says, “We definitely get a lot of boyfriends and husbands in here and luckily in the New York store, our staff is so educated and knows our whole product range so they can give a brief personality description and they’ll know, Is she more of a pajama girl? Is this the kind of guy who’s getting a girl 20 different colored thongs?
“Sometimes people can be shy, but when you walk by our store” (or department store sections for that matter) “it doesn’t scream ‘Super Sexy Lingerie Store.’ It’s open, bright and fun.”
Cosabella lingerie is available at Cosabella’s flagship store at 220 Lafayette St., Manhattan, and at select department stores, including Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom at The Westchester in White Plains, Saks Fifth Avenue in Greenwich and The Stamford Town Center and online at cosabella.com, neimanmarcus.com, nordstrom.com and saksfifthavenue.com.
