Is Lingerie Booming or Failing In This Recession?

Two stories broke last night that contradict each other. The first was the news of Harwayes, the lingerie company, which will be closing its doors after 50 years of trading. The lingerie chain is inevitably the latest victim of the recession.

The group will be closing all 23 of its stores after the rent was increased and sales went down. The combination of the two caused the company to make a decision to close down. Unfortunately, Harwayes had 120 employees across the country, many who have been there for years.

The second story that broke last night was of Lingerie sales booming despite the recession. According to industry reports, sexy underwear and lingerie are defying the recession and growing by leaps and bounds. The catch? These sales are mostly going to basically unknown or small online retailers or established and popular brand names… not brick and mortar small businesses.

One museum is taking advantage of the lingerie boom, London's Fashion and Textile Museum, has a new exhibit entitled Under-cover which will portray how lingerie uniquely has shaped and controlled women's bodies for years.

Sources: Metro Co. UK, Spalding Today

Sponsored by: Skin Tone Lingerie

Natalie Suliman Bring Online Gold to M&S Lingerie

The new face of the Mark & Spencer lingerie billboard campaign is 23 year old Natalie Suliman.

The 5 foot 8 goddess has turned Marks & Spencer online lingerie store into online gold. The campaign advertised by her has increased 163 percent despite the global economic shutdown.

The most interesting part of this story comes from Suliman, who has an interesting story of her first time seeing the billboards. The beauty told the Sun:

“I nearly crashed my car when I saw the advert for the first time. I was happily driving to a shopping mall with my music blasting when I suddenly saw a 20-ft picture of my chest on the horizon. "It was shocking to see my boobs looking so huge, but I guess that’s not something I can complain about! I’m just happy the advert has been such a success."

According to the M&S marketing Chief Steve Sharp:

"The ad has caused quite a stir. Not only have we seen a real uplift in our bra sales, but we have also received hundreds of calls asking who the model is. In the near future Suliman has her sights on becoming a Victoria's Secret lingerie stunner.

Suliman confirmed the statement by saying, "I’m hoping to go to America and model for the Victoria’s Secrets catalogue."

Sponsored by: MySkins