Another month has come along and this time it has brought some beautiful sunshine our way!  We love it here in the studio, with our big windows letting in the sun and our radio blasting out some tunes getting us in the mood for the summer!

The Maxine’s of London team and me have been engrossed in Mary Portas’ new Channel 4 programme, Mary’s Bottom Line.  Where she is on a mission to re-ignite the clothing manufacturing industry within Britain, focusing on one of our lingerie favourites: knickers!!

Maxine’s of London underwear is all hand-made in London, a rarity that proves to be popular as Mary heads to the streets to ask the public if they want British Made knickers.

The answer? Yes!!

We love how it’s encouraging Britain to regain its position within the industry and creating employment opportunities.

Similar to Mary we also look to take on apprentices and train them up. With so many enquiries in our inbox we know there is still passion amongst us Brits to be skilled in this area and we hope to support Mary’s plight as much as possible.

So this is the perfect time ladies and gentlemen, workshops in the art of making knickers are now available!

Interested in making your own knickers without getting them in a twist? Then we’ll show you how in a fun-filled day at the studio!  Contact us for more information at enquiries@maxinesoflondon.co.uk

Have a lovely Easter.

Until next month.

Maxine

Welcome back again MAC readers,

So after an extremely busy past few months, we have still got a lot to look forward to and bring to you!

The collection for our amazing opportunity at Coco-de-mer has finally been completed and delivered.  It’s all just a matter of waiting for it to launch in store! We are very excited so everything crossed!

With the odd free window appearing into our busy schedule, I have been brainstorming for some potential designs for a new collection, which I hope to create for January/February 2012!  Along with this forward planning, I hope to bring in some more team members to join me and my fantastic new studio assistant, who has been involved with production work and currently working on the exciting new and improved Maxine’s of London website, which will be launched very soon!

Recently, my studio location Second Floor Studios, held an opening event over a couple of evenings, allowing the members of the public to come and view all the studio members’ work and creations.  It was really inspiring and supporting to see all the other businesses and talent within the studio community, it’s great to know there’s other people in a similar business situation (self-employed based) on site and discover all the varieties of work that goes on.

So a lot of upcoming events happening very soon!  Watch this space, but don’t forget to follow on Facebook and Twitter to be the first to know!

Until next time…

Love Max x

Happy September to you all.

It’s one of the most exciting times of the year for me! The new season has begun and all the new fashion collections are now pictured online and in magazines. I simply love seeing what my fellow lingerie designers have been working on the last few months.

The bondage theme is still going strong, along with the underwear as outwear craze. I wonder how long it will stay for? A long time I hope!

A few designer brands such as Lascivious and Bordelle have released some cheekily revealing pieces, but cupless and bottomless (and the extra daring crotchless!!) lingerie are still hard to come by, especially in the designer sector.

But fortunately for the risqué yet classy woman, I plan to continue creating highly erotic lingerie within my MaXrated label.

Along with the launch of MaXrated, Maxine’s of London is currently going through big changes, which is brilliant for keeping me on my toes.

Not only have we moved to a much bigger but also our first creative admin assistant is coming onboard this month.

The new collection for MaXrated will soon be available to buy online but for now I have featured one of the most risqué pieces in the collection for you MAC readers to enjoy.

Lots of love,

Max xx

Ps. A massive congratulations to MACS Salons for being nominated for two London Lifestyle Awards. Well done!

Hi All!

July has seen me pin-tucking and quilting into the night, preparing for my third photoshoot since beginning my journey in the world of lingerie!

The shoot was to capture the erotic bedroom pieces for Maxine’s of London sister brand MaXrated!!

MaXrated appeals to the sensual, erotic personality within the sophisticated Maxine’s of London woman. Encapsulating the sumptuous detailing of its sister brand, MaXrated lingerie is sensual, erotic and just begging to be touched.

100% pure silk is sculpted into risqué bras and cheeky peephole briefs perfect for playtime!

Knowing how important playtime is, MaXrated will be launching a variety of toys and accessories for the bedroom, with debut pieces of exquisite silk blindfolds and cuffs featuring beautiful stitch detailing, shown here online for the first time in Macs Magazine.

With a few sleepless nights and lots of TLC the future is looking very rosy for both labels, with a fantastic new stockist and website on its way.

Till next time…

Maxine xx

Hi All,

2011 has flown by and we are already half way into the year, which means we have a fresh batch of design graduates entering the dynamic world of fashion.

It’s very exciting for new graduates beginning their journey within an industry that is so full of variety.

I remember how eager I was to get my foot onto the career ladder when I graduated in 2008 with a degree in BA (Hons) Fashion and Contour from DeMontfort University. However I was so passionate about all aspects of fashion I found it hard to decide on which pathway I wanted to take.

As I have always been very creative I naturally felt that I would become a designer, however, when faced with the decision I realised how much I enjoy the technical aspects as well. This is when the idea of Maxine’s of London was born.

Now I have the pleasure of being able to turn my own designs into reality whilst continuing to develop and expand on a number of skills.

With my company growing, I am really excited to scout for the latest talent at this years degree shows where I am sure to find many passionate and inspiring individuals who will help Maxine’s of London make an international mark in the fabulous world of lingerie!

There has been a popular rise in made to measure lingerie. Women are beginning to understand the importance of great fitting underwear that sculpts your figure and enhances your posture. I’m sure the likes of Gok Wan and Trinny and Suzanna must have had a big influence on this new trend.

Whilst industry leaders are currently developing a new commercial bra sizing structure (which I’m sure Mac readers must agree is much needed), I am having a great time developing Made-to-Measure lingerie sets from my Maxine’s of London range.

Some of my favourite lingerie designers are having a fabulous time at the moment dressing the likes of Britney Spears and Lady Gaga in risqué stage costumes.

Lingerie is now a prominent force in the music industry with Icons such as Rihanna , who portrays a very strong, confident image, wearing dominatrix inspired underwear as outerwear. We have seen a real trend emerge, which doesn’t seem to be going anywhere fast.

To create the look yourself, Maxine’s of London: Bounded Belle, Quilt/Tuck Girdle looks great teamed with a loose chiffon top tucked in and tights.

Or if you’re feeling really brave you can don a pair of stockings instead!!

All for now,

Max

Hello all

Spring is nearly here and I am delighted to say that I am busying myself designing my next collection of Lingerie. I can’t reveal too much at the moment (if you excuse the pun!)….I am keeping the theme of my collection close to my chest (there I go again!)

Unlike more conventional designers who work conceptually, inspired by aspects of their environment, I take a more sensual approach, literally feeling my way into designs by conjuring thoughts of sexy curvaceous female forms embodied in the most exquisite lingerie to tantalise and tease.

Because I’m in the mood, I will share with readers that one of my techniques is to flick through an erotic novel or two. Reading seductive tales really gets my creative juices flowing and I find I am able to design startlingly provocative pieces that sum up the sexy and sophisticated women of today. Women that know what they want and how to get it, confident women who aren’t coy about their sexuality, women who have high expectations and ultimately women who just love being women!

Can’t wait to share more with you later in the year….until then……

Être bon Maxine

www.maxinesoflondon.co.uk

With January behind us we are now in February, the most romantic month of the year.
Valentines Day is the perfect excuse to spoil that special someone with love and affection.

To help do that, Maxine’s of London has a special promotion for MACS readers’ only.

To get 30% off your order at www.maxinesoflondon.co.uk please quote ‘0211molmac30’ along with your order in an email to order@maxinesoflondon.co.uk.

For prices and images of Bounded Belle please enquire at enquiries@maxinesoflondon.co.uk.

Have a beautiful Valentines Day.

Maxine xx

I hope all you MACS readers had a wonderful Christmas and your new year has got of to a great start.

Having launched Maxine’s of London in late 2009, 2010 has been the labels first full year of trading and what an exciting year it has been. I have been hand making sensual silk pieces for lingerie lovers worldwide and this festive season has seen Maxine’s of London lingerie neatly wrapped up and placed under Christmas trees as far as America, Italy and Paris.

With many new and returning customers from various cultures it has been great to assess what the key sellers are and a strong trend has emerged.

The brands signature style is incredible attention to detail with emphasis on fabric manipulations and stitch detailing. Keen to introduce variety into the collections I have ensured that each range would feature highly complex pieces such as: Bounded Belle Tuck/Quilt Girdle alongside more simplified garments such as the Quilted Balconette (available in both collections).

Much to my delight my creativity has gone down a storm, with two of the most extravagant pieces (Bounded Belle Tuck/Quilt Girdle and Contour Classique Waspie) being very popular and the Tuck/Quilt briefs (as pictured) being one of the brands best sellers.

This creates a lot of excitement for me, as I now feel free to let my imagination run wild and get really creative for my next range.

On the subject of creativity I have developed some raunchier pieces for the Maxine’s of London brand combining sophistication with erotica. Yet to be released, these lingerie sets have only been seen by a few industry insiders (and of course friends and family) but following their enthusiastic response I am now looking into developing the range and launching a more risqué sister brand in the future.

Watch this space!!

The brand sells, on-line through the company website: www.maxinesoflondon.co.uk

Hi there.
Recently I have been very busy introducing some new pieces to the Maxine’s of London label in time for Christmas.
To bring a naughty yet playful element to the brand, I have been having lots of fun designing cheeky accessories for the bedroom.
These Maxine’s of London Quilted Silk Cuffs and Blindfolds are incredibly soft and sensual for an erotic night of passion.

The Cuffs have an adjustable Hook and Eye fastening suitable for both men and women, and have two wide silk ties on each cuff enabling you to tie the cuffs together and then to the bed, or wherever you may desire.
The pieces are available as a gift box set or on their own.
Also new to the label is thigh length Negligees, featuring quilting along the top of the bust as seen in the Quilted Cami set.
All pieces are available in Azelea Pink (hot pink) or Black.
For prices or general/bespoke enquiries please email me directly at : maxine@maxinesoflondon.co.uk
Have a lovely Christmas.
Maxine.

www.maxinesoflondon.co.uk

I began laying the foundations of Maxine’s of London in Feb 2009, working from my London flat. After intensive market and competitor research, I developed the first range called Contour Classique. This was very well received by the owner of the well-known lingerie boutique: FairyGothMother/Lulu&Lush, Spitalfields, resulting in Maxine’s of Londons first stockist.

Maxine’s of London  is now retailing through on-line niche designer retailer: www.glamorousamorous.com. Founder Annabel Gatward was so impressed with the most recent collection: Bounded Belle, she selected the showpiece (a highly detailed, waist-cynching girdle with strategically placed stretch panels for the perfect silhouette) to front her online viral campaign: Why Take it all Off?

Maxine’s of London has received various peices of press including trade and trend magazines.

The brand sells, on-line through the company website: www.maxinesoflondon.co.uk

I am currently working on the next collection, which will include a real showstopper.