Thursday 11 May 2017

Love Your Legs in our Italian Hosiery

Bluebella's Italian Hosiery - only the best for your legs
To celebrate the wondrousness of Bluebella X Italian yarns we take a little look into the family owned manufacturer we trust with our own hosiery - Gizeta Calze.
The Italian standard when it comes to fashion is known globally as one of excellence, quality and sophistication. From powerful fashion houses such as Dolce and Gabbana to the infiltration of leather soled shoes that we’re inclined to associate with the cobbled streets of Milan, Italy is just the place to go when you think of quality - and hosiery is no exception!

Hosiery - Lace-topped Stockings - Black
It's for this very reason that we produce our hosiery exclusively with Gizeta Calze, a family owned manufacturing company that has been operating since 1975. The company was created due to a merging of families with a long history and deep understanding of the art of making hosiery, and that knowledge has only gone from strength to strength.
Whereas those of us familiar with the stories of Robin Hood and the idea of men in tights will know they’ve been a thing spanning centuries, in reality we didn’t see what we consider modern hosiery come into play until the 1920s, where they became a fashion item made of silk or rayon, for the ladies who could afford such an item. It was the 1940s and the production of nylon that really saw tights and stockings become a widespread commodity as an undergarment to provide warmth and, well, a little modesty. 
Aside from its very pragmatic uses, however, hosiery has also become a staple of fashion and continues to help dictate trends. Whether it be purposeful ladders to coincide with the punk scene, bright coloured patterns of the bohemians, or the placement of seams as a hark back to the rockabilly style of the 50s, hosiery still has the power to make or break an outfit, and should be treated with the utmost respect.

Bluebella hosiery - back-seamed stockings
But to gain respect from ones’ hold ups and stockings they must be made with love and care, which is why we trust the 100 direct employees of Gizete Calze and their background of Italian craftsmanship with our hosiery. Located in three separate buildings in the heart of Italy, the company is responsible for every step of the manufacturing process, including checking the standard of every item that leaves the building.

Bluebella Hosiery Factory - Gizeta Calze
Gizeta Calze

Further, where social responsibility is seeping more and more into our lives and has an impact on the choices we make, we think it’s incredibly important to invest in companies who share the same outlook, and Gizete Calze's high investment in renewable energy furthers our own investment in them.
This is just one of the many positive aspects of this charming company in the country considered the fashion capital of quality - we also love Gizeta Calze because at the end of the day they make amazing garments that continue to be classic and timeless, whilst still at the forefront of fashion.

Bluebella Hosiery
Bluebella is all about sensual sexuality and empowerment of women and our hosiery ticks all of these boxes. From hold ups to stockings and whether they’re for use exclusively in the bedroom or secretly under a summer dress, you can be safe in the knowledge that they’re made with care, made with quality, and made to make you feel amazing.

Bluebella lingerie - Emerson Bra, Suspender, Thong and Plain-top Stockings

Monday 8 May 2017

BLUEBELLA X WOLF & MOON

BLUEBELLA X WOLF AND MOON

 Lingerie and jewellery go together like two peas in a pod; they can both be simple and elegant or statement pieces that have the power to fully transform an outfit. So it was only a matter of time before we checked in on our favourite jewellery creator and fellow independent London brand, Wolf & Moon, who know a bit more about bling then we do!
Hannah David - founder of Wolf & Moon
Hannah Davis by Andy Donohoe
 Creativity is all about collaboration and so we teamed up again with the amazing team at Wolf & Moon to put together a sparkling showcase that illuminates the power of both lingerie and jewellery. Pairing our new season Rose Dust styles with their delightfully delicate pieces, the collab makes for the perfect springtime musing.
Lingerie - Laura Balcony Bra Rose Dust
Behind the scenes: Laura Balcony Bra, Rose Dust
Nightwear - Phoebe Chemise and Tie-Side Knicker Rose Dust
 We caught up with the lady who started it all, and having grown from a one woman stall in East London to a small team of dedicated designers creating and making in Hackney, the brand is on the move up. We chat to Hannah Davis to learn about her beginnings, her inspiration, and whether she’s a morning person or not…
 What gave you the idea to start Wolf & Moon?
A passion for designing, making and wanting to work for myself! I have loved making jewellery ever since I was 16. When I moved to London for university an opportunity came up to have a stand at an East London market and it all went from there.
 What inspirations would you say Wolf & Moon has in terms of its style?
We think a pared down look goes perfectly with our jewellery; I love the idea that an outfit can be made with a statement accessory. I also love a bit of colour, but not too much!
Lingerie - Amelie Body Rose Dust
Behind the scenes: Amelie Body, Rose Dust
 What's the key message behind the brand?
Our mission statement is “Graphic and modern jewellery for the curious and independent.” We believe that everyone can be creative and interesting with their style by wearing something a bit different and handmade. You can still be sophisticated whilst doing so!
Lingerie - Lyra Soft Lace Bra Black
 What made you keen to collaborate with Bluebella?
We love shouting about other independent and local brands and we really admire Bluebella’s outlook: empowering women through their sensuality.
What's the concept behind the collaboration?
Jewellery and lingerie are both the unsung heroes of every outfit so let’s showcase them together and let them shine - who needs clothes!
Nightwear - Phoebe Chemise and Tie-Side Knicker Rose Dust
 Why is jewellery important to you?
For me, wearing jewellery makes me feel good about myself. Putting on certain pieces completes my daily routine, whilst others get me in the mood for going out, like getting the lippy out on a Friday evening!
Nightwear - Phoebe Shirt Rose Dust
Accessories can often make an outfit, what do you think they mean to people?
Accessories mean all sorts of different things to people. Accessories are like objects you display on your shelf or wall at home: some pieces are sentimental, some are aesthetic, and some are both.
Either way they definitely say something about an individual. On a basic level, an outfit is an expression of you and accessories are the details that tell the full story.
Lingerie - Laura Soft Cup Bra Black Rose Dust
What other things are important to you?
I am pretty obsessed with pottery at the moment. I’ve been going to classes for over two years and have become a member of an open studio which I now go to 2 or 3 times a week! I’m starting to work on some ceramic pieces for Wolf & Moon which is exciting.
And finally, what do your mornings look like?
I turn my alarm off for about an hour, I am not a morning person! When I finally get out of bed, I have a shower, get myself some toast or cereal and a mug of Earl Grey tea. Then I put on some make up whilst watching breakfast TV before cycling into the studio.
See below for more behind the scenes action!

Friday 5 May 2017

Women's Changing Bust Size

The changing shape of women’s breasts

We know that since the 1960s women’s bodies have changed dramatically. You only have to look at the arguments surrounding Ms Monroe’s ‘true size’ to see that what was considered the average back then is vastly different to today. But how specifically? According to new statistics obtained via a report by Bluebella, women's breasts have been the most dramatic to change. Whilst 34B was considered the average back in the '50s, and is still widely regarded as being such today among the fashion world, in reality a woman’s average size of bust is closer to 36DD.
Why is that? Well according to the report, our lifestyle choices are largely the cause. In 1970 the level of health had improved rapidly due to balanced diets and a better understanding of medicine. This saw the bra size average rise slightly from a B cup to a C cup, but stay steadily at a 34 inch bust. With time British Women’s lifestyles have changed dramatically; with health and fitness becoming incredibly fashionable as well as obesity becoming an issue in the early 2000s the average size for a woman in the UK rose from a 34 to a 36D.
But this all seems quite a dramatic change if we’re just looking at the lifestyle choices of British women. In reality, the growth of breast enlargement surgery and it becoming more accessible is a large contributor to the growth of our boob size. In the 1980s, breast enlargement surgery was in its infancy and therefore becoming an option for those who could afford it. This is what brought the average up to a D cup from the 34B we had seen in the '50s and '60s. During the '90s plastic surgery then entered a boom period due to its medical advancements and idolisation of beauty icons such as Pamela Anderson and her coveted role in Baywatch. This is when a cup size DD became the average for women, not to mention what was considered the ‘best’ size for many societally.
"The way women's busts have changed over the last 50 years has been remarkable”, said Bluebella CEO Emily Bendell, on learning about the changing shape of women over this course of time. "Better health, diets, improved fitness and the trend towards bigger and often surgically enhanced busts make Miss Average from today barely recognisable from her 1967 counterpart when it comes to her figure.”
But with all these numbers and statistics, it can be quite hard to visualise what all these remarkable changes actually look like. Well, what was considered average back in the '60s was a young Jane Fonda at 34B, back when she was starring in Barefoot in the Park and other sixties smashes. Nowadays we’re much closer to the surgically enhanced breasts of everyone's favourite reality star Kim Kardashian, who is a 36DD.
1960s - Jane Fonda - 34B
Bluebella - Jane Fonda
2017 - Kim Kardashian - 36DD
Bluebella Blog - Kim Kardashian
But we didn’t just go from one to the other! Scarlett Johannsen’s 36D breasts and enviable figure are similar to the average from the Noughties, whereas Halle Berry’s 34DD boobs were standard of the Nineties. The slight changes from the '60s to the '80s moved from Barbara Streisand at the peak of her seventies career, with classics such as The Way We Were and A Star Is Born. And star of 1984 classic smash, lovable mermaid Hannah Daryl claimed the spot as national average with 34D breasts.
1970s - Barbara Streisand 34C
Bluebella Blog - Barbara Streisand
1980s - Daryl Hannah - 34D
Bluebella Blog - Daryl Hannah
1990s - Halle Berry - 34DD 
Bluebella Blog - Halle Berry
With all these rapidly changing breast sizes, the lingerie industry has had a hard time keeping up, but nowadays “bras for bigger breasted women have never been more comfortable or looked better,” according to Bendell. To accompany the need for bigger, better and sexier bras for British women, lingerie has had to adapt. Bluebella’s MORE range does just that, encompassing 32-38 and DD-G, the range is filled with contemporary styling and exciting design elements but still maintains an effortlessly feminine feel.
2000s Scarlett Johansson - 36D
Bluebella Blog - Scarlett Johansson