New York - It's the foundation of every woman's wardrobe, but lingerie designers, like their product, aren't as visible as their clothing designer counterparts
That's why Ben Yedder, who publishes intimate apparel industry magazine Contours, established the Contours International Lingerie Awards (CILA) last year in order to recognize the creative efforts and technological advances of the top lingerie companies and designers in the U.S. and abroad.
On Monday night in the Grand Ballroom of New York's Waldorf Astoria hotel, the 2nd annual CILA awards, sponsored by the U.S. Intimate Apparel Council, took place culminating in a fashion show featuring the finalists in 19 categories, who ranged from familiar brands like Wacoal and Le Mystere to smaller speciality lines like Marlies Dekker and maternity intimates label Larrivo.
This year more than 80 designers from over eight countries entered the competition, with the winners selected by an independent panel of industry members who included buyers, designers and consumers.
Some companies, like Le Mystere, who was last year's "Best T-Shirt Bra," were finalists in multiple categories.
"I thought we had the best shot at winning 'Best Innovative,' because what we have done there is come up with a bra specifically for augmented women, and we had a doctor who spent over 10 years getting it to fit perfectly, so I was sort of surprised we didn't win that one." said Michael Rabinowitz, founder and CEO of Le Mystere, whose company won "Best Bridal" this year. "I was pleasantly surprised to win for the bustier. I was in London earlier this year, and we had one of the biggest windows of Harrod's where they were displaying this one item in the window! It was quite amazing."
Other winners included John Galliano for "Best Fashion Couture," Marlies Dekker for "Best Fashion," Chantelle for "Best Technically Innovative," and Wacoal for "Best Seamless."