Whether you prefer hip hugging frenchies or something seductive and sexy, finding the perfect piece of luxury lingerie is never simple. Unless you’re a lingerie designer that is. So what’s it really like living the designer dream and how do you turn your dream of becoming a designer into a reality? Is it all glamour, fashion shows and flirtatious designs? Victoria Holt, founder of the luxury lingerie brand, Fred & Ginger London tells all.
1) Did you always dream of designing lingerie?
Always! Well, from the age of about 18 when I received my first luxurious set from a boyfriend at the time. Fashion design is in my blood and this seemed the natural direction.
2) What was the inspiration for this range?
This collection was inspired by the promiscuous seductive mystique of the Parisian courtesans that Toulouse-Lautrec is famous for painting. It represents the epitome of love, romance and passion elements that I feel represent the Fred & Ginger brand. For this collection we have used a striking bespoke monochrome stripe print, with delicate chantilly lace.
3) What is your favourite piece in the collection?
Oh gosh … it’s hard to pick! I obviously love everything otherwise I wouldn’t put it in the collection. But perhaps my favourite piece is the black and white Bodysuit for it’s amazing fit and beautiful lines. It really is such a flattering piece and very unique too, it represents our designer lingerie brand perfectly for it’s glamour and sophistication.
4) Who wears Fred & Ginger London?
The Luxury designer brand Fred & Ginger is for the discerning lady who takes care in her appearance and loves quality and perfection.
5) How would you describe your signature style?
We are renouned for our 50’s glamour, harping back to Old Hollywood style where quality and elegance and panash were part of life, using only the most high quality fabrics and trims including Parisian silks and Swarovski crystalized™ trims our pieces are all manufactured in the United Kingdom to the highest standards and are worth every penny!
6) If you had one tip for lingerie lovers what would it be?
Don’t just keep your beautiful lingerie for special occasions .. be spontaneous and surprise your loved one mid week … he’ll rave about you to his friends and it will boost your mood, relationship and confidence no end!
7) When you are not designing luscious lingerie, how do you spend your time?
Well, I actually ‘quietly’ design bespoke Bridal dresses. I say quietly as I never advertise. It’s a word of mouth recommendation strategy. The rest of the time is spent running the business. However I try to discipline myself to 2 nights at the gym and occasional visits to the cinema and entertaining. I recently got engaged so wedding planning seems to be taking up a lot of my time at the moment too, which is an absolute pleasure!
8) What advice would you give to an aspiring lingerie/swimwear designer?
It’s quite a tough industry to get in to with huge competition and hard work but the pro’s certainly outweigh the con’s as it really is a lovely industry to work in, and highly rewarding.
9) Where can we buy Fred & Ginger London lingerie?
We supply some beautiful boutiques world wide including our very own Selfridges, Oxford Street. You can also buy online at our website too at http://www.fredandginger.com.
10) What’s next for Fred and Ginger London?
Well, we have so much in the pipeline I can’t tell you (watch this space!) but for the imminent future we’re launching a swimwear collection that will be available in the shops in February 2012!
