Tiger's Glastonbury

Tigerlily Taylor, our girl on the ground at Glasto

Festival season is well under way, that much is true, but if a few of your friends have booked a whole week off work and seemed to be skulking out early doors there’s just one place they’ll be this week: Glastonbury. The festival of dreams, which takes place yearly on the Summer solstice, is taking place this week, and while your friends might just be starting their adventure, most of the crew will have been there since Monday morning.

 Almost a town in itself, Glastonbury is so big it’s almost impossible to see all of it, even if you return year after year, but that doesn’t matter. Finding yourself lost in the music of the Piano Bar or caught up in the energy the headliners bring to the Pyramid Stage makes the festival an experience in itself. Once you go, you go forever and that seems to be the case too for the delightful Tigerlily Taylor, the Bluebella babe who rates Glastonbury as her all-time favourite place to festival this summer.

Tiger in the Solitaire Body

 Who are you most looking forward to seeing play?

I am really excited to see Foo Fighters again, I have seen them so many times but they are always awesome.

Also at Glastonbury: Toots and the Maytals, Chic, Afriquoi, The Flamings Lips, Goldie, DJ Shadow... I'm sure there are many more that I can't think of right now.

 Hottest up and coming band?

The Darkness!

 Best festival for food?

I literally eat trash all weekend at festivals so I'm not too fussed about overpriced festival food! Although I did have a really good ostrich burger at Isle of Wight festival last year.

 Best festival for fashion?

I generally wear very comfortable clothes, a lot of tracksuits, shorts and t-shirts but I am looking forward to incorporating some sexy Bluebella lingerie into my outfits this year. Glastonbury is probably the maddest in terms of outfits.

Tiger in Gia Bra

 Top tip for festival season?

Always carry wet wipes, hand sanitiser, a disposable camera and water. Carry a small backpack.

 Your festival style would be described as….

Casual, comfortable, but this year I am going to step up my outfit game a little.

Tiger in the Leopard Nova Bra and Black Jamie T-Shirt

 If you ran your own festival the headline act would be…

TLC (I heard that T-Boz and Chilli just had a reunion in London), Freddie Gibbs, Action Bronson, Lil Ugly Mane, MF Doom, Wu Tang Clan, Led Zeppelin would be amazing. I have always wanted to see Rage Against the Machine, Blink 182 and Red Hot Chilli Peppers as well... that's a hard one. Too many to narrow down!

 Favourite Glastonbury memory?

Seeing Wu Tang Clan in 2011 and The Who last year with my boyfriend.

 Camp or glamp?

Camp... but glamp if someone threw a teepee my way.

 Your Glastonbury happy place?

The Rabbit Hole. It's very secret and always full of amazing music, friends and family

Tiger in Solitaire Body

 Tigerlily is a dream at creating the perfect festival look, but packing needn’t be that hard! Although Glasto is renowned for being muddy, the weather looks scorching this weekend so it’s best to pack as little as possible, and what’s lighter than a bit of lovely lingerie? Check out Bluebella for the perfect cheeky bralettes, bodies and chemises to take your wardrobe game from 1 to 100.

 Happy festivaling gorgey gang!

Tiger in Gia Bra

Tiger in Solitaire Body

Check out www.bluebella.com

Michelin STAR Pip Lacey

Pip Lacey - Head Chef at Michelin-starred restaurant Murano and Great British Menu wonder

Why is it that when we think of cheffing, images of men in white uniforms and big hats rush to our minds, often in stainless steel kitchens and shouting to be heard above broiling pots and deep oil fryers? Often doing so with cursive language if Gordon Ramsey has anything to do with it. Although the act of cooking is seen as something intrinsically feminine, pursuing a career is seemingly reserved for the boys. But one woman changing that narrative for the better is Philippa Lacey, who, having worked under Angela Hartnett as well gracing our screens on the Great British Menu, is showing everyone that girls can take on the boys and chef up a storm.

“I think men tend to find themselves in the job more because it’s a very physical profession.” Phillipa, known as Pip tells me during our conversation about food, careers and of course, lingerie. “Girls can definitely do it too, but it’s long hours of intense physical work, and naturally men tend to be stronger in that sense. I decided not to let it bother me, even though at the beginning I would wake up with my hands in permanent fists after strenuous shifts the night before.” During our conversation, Pip makes it clear that none of these physical tests made her want to stop cheffing, in fact, it was because of pure charm and a disbelief in her abilities that she made her mark in the first place. 

At 27 years old and nearing the end of a graphic design career that she had fallen out of love with, it was a naive suggestion from a friend that prompted her to pursue what had previously just been a passion for food. “I was definitely naive going into it” Pip tells me, laughing, “They told me to apply to jobs with the top chefs like Gordon Ramsay and I just thought, yeah I will!” But her job under Angela in Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant came as a bit of a shock. “I got rejected from a lot of places because of course, I had no professional cheffing experience or qualifications, but I had to call that last one because I had filled out something wrong on my application and I told them I could do the job despite this. They laughed, but they told me to go buy some knives and some whites and they gave me a shot. I’ve been cheffing ever since.”

Although Pip’s break into professional kitchens was somewhat of a fluke, Pip thinks giving more people with a passion for food a chance would perhaps go some way to help fix the ongoing shortage of chefs. “It’s long, intense hours for not a lot of money; to really enjoy it you’ve got to love food and love what you do,” she tells me, “a lot of the time you get a load of young kids who go into cheffing because they don’t have any qualifications, and whilst some of them will enjoy it a lot of them will wind up hating it.” Pip's advice would be to take some time out before joining the industry, something she believes really helped her grow and succeed as a chef.

Moving our conversation on, we started talking about the reason Pip decided to subject herself to the stress of professional kitchens: the food. “My favourite things to cook are the same as my favourite things to eat!” she laughs, recounting some of her favourite menu ideas, “I love cooking scallops, and definitely squid, I love squid! I quite like experimenting with fish and meat when i’m in the professional kitchen because my wife is a vegetarian, so everything at home is veggie.” Although, she’s not adverse to a little bit of fast food every now and then “McDonalds and KFC are my guilty pleasure, it doesn’t matter that I’m a chef sometimes you just really want something bad!”

Working on the Great British Menu also gave her a lot of freedom when it came to creating a menu. “I got to work with a load of ingredients I would never normally use and make things you wouldn’t normally make, it’s wicked because you meet other chefs and you’ve all got something in common so you get on, and you don’t get to meet that many people when you’re spending 18 hours in one room. It’s hard work and super stressful, but worth it.”

Being a chef can be physically and mentally draining, and spending 18 hours in a sweaty box with a bunch of other sweaty humans doesn’t always make you feel incredibly sexy, but Pip says she manages this by separating her work life and her home life, especially in terms of her appearance. “I don’t dress up for work, it’s the kind of job that takes over your whole life so when I’m not in the kitchen I like to put on make up and make an effort. I’ve walked into the kitchen before on my day off and they’ve not recognised me!” On the lingerie front however, Pip says that her nicest bras are actually the most comfortable. “Bra-wise I’ve gotten rid of my sporty styles and I wear my nice bras because I feel more comfortable in them.”

So when we asked her to pick out her favourite Bluebella styles, this is what she told us...

Claudia Shirt and Trouser Set (Cream) for after work style - 'It's often very late when I get home, so some lovely PJs and bed are very welcome'

Peyton Bra and Brief for everyday lingerie - 'I used to only wear sporty styles at work but now I mix it up with my beautiful lingerie'

Angelina Body or Bra and Brief for sports luxe - 'I've always liked sports style - the Wimbledon-themed Great British Menu was perfect for me!'

Caterina Bra and Brief for comfort and style - 'I need to be comfortable but it's nice to have great detailing too'

Check out www.bluebella.com

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!

Bluebella's 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's Back-seam 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.

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.

Emerson and Plain-topped Stockings

Check Bluebella site - www.bluebella.com

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 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.

Behind the scenes: Laura Balcony Bra, Rose Dust

Behind the scenes: Phoebe 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!

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!

Lyra Soft Cup 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!

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!

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.

Laura Soft Cup Bra, Black and 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!

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

2017 - Kim Kardashian - 36DD

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

1980s - Daryl Hannah - 34D

1990s - Halle Berry - 34DD 

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's Coachella Chica - Ashley James

Festival season has begun with the infamous sun-drenched fash' fest in the Californian heat, and we had our very own Coachella chica on the scene!

One half of Bittersweet DJs, presenter and ex-MIC star Ashley James was hand in hand with Bluebella throughout the craziness of the Coachella ride.

We caught up with Ashley between the likes of Drake and Kendrick Lamar on how she built her DJ career plus her hot tips for summer's hottest beats. Soak it in like the California heat and prepare to impress your friends with your music mastery...!

Get your hands in the air for the Tara Bra and Brief

How did you get into DJing?

I've always been passionate about music, and controlling of the music at any house parties I went to, so I took some lessons and found my favourite hobby. I now DJ as a duo with my best friend and fellow presenter Charlotte de Carle under the name BitterSweet DJs.

What kind of tunes do you spin?

I'm really into hip hop, r&b, and grime, both new and old, from Missy Elliot, to J Hus and Giggs. It depends on the crowd though, I tend to vibe off the audience, so every gig is different. 

What’s it like working with your best mate?

It's a dream! I can't believe our hobby has turned into a job and we get to travel the world together.

Wild and free at Joshua Tree in the Milla Body

What’s been your best gig ever?

I always remember our first gig as a duo in our local pub. No one danced but it was such a scary and big milestone for us. Also the Global Gift Gala is a highlight. Most recently we played in the Teatro in Madrid to a crowd including Eva Longoria; it's the second time the Teatro has been used for a private event, the first was for the Queen!

What’s been your worst gig ever?

Well, there has been gigs where we've turned up and the equipment hasn't worked! But honestly I don't think you can have a bad gig in terms of experience as you just learn and get better. 

What’s your top tip for this summer’s hottest track?

I'm a huge fan of the Calvin Harris track with Migos and Frank Ocean. I listen to it over and over! 

Who is your favourite DJ?

Charlotte of course! No, in all seriousness I'm in awe of loads of DJs. Calvin Harris and Chase & Status are both legendary live. 

Which festivals will you be visiting this summer?

Well I'm currently writing this from Coachella, which is one that's been on my bucket list for years. Glastonbury and Wireless are definitely happening this year - Wireless is literally my dream lineup. And we're going out to Fresh Island Festival in Croatia!

Palm trees, lights and Jamie Tee - we got Coachella on lock down

Any advice for budding bedroom DJs out there?

Just keep practicing and put your mixes online as you never know who might listen! Don't be afraid to take jobs where you can get them (even in your local pub), as the more you put yourself out there the most likely you are to get booked!

Enjoying the calm before the storm in Isabella Chemise

Check out our site:
www.bluebella.com

Leopard Nova - Get your claws out!

The delightfully delicate and yet still deliciously playful Nova Bra has been one of our best sellers since its inception, and so we decided to do things a little differently and imitate the prowess of a big cat with our new Leopard Print Nova collection!

In the spirit of all things wild we tasked ourselves with uncovering the secret to giving in to your animal instincts and being a jungle cat in the sheets…

How to be an animal in the bedroom

Getting down to business can be a bit nerve wracking; whether it’s with a partner you’ve known for years or a new addition to your bedroom, we’re constantly being told what’s hot and what’s not between the sheets. But to celebrate the launch of the eagerly anticipated Leopard Print Nova collection, we decided to do a little research of our own into how to put your best leg forward in the bedroom to bring out the little animal inside. Spoiler alert: it’s all about confidence!

Immerse yourself in the world of sex

And no, by this we don’t mean making your debut into adult film. One of the best ways to exude confidence when it comes to getting down to business is to be comfortable with the world of sex, which due to many things some of us can get a bit weird about. In an age where women are breaking free of the conditioning that we should be shy, modest and virginal, reading a collection of articles about sex or even picking up a copy of Fifty Shades is one way to get comfy with it, and that will show in your private life.

Focus on your breathing

Mindfulness and structured breathing works for more than just yoga, and can really help you relax and pursue the pleasure when getting down to it. We all know that relaxation is key when it comes to enjoying yourself, and stress can really dampen the mood. Some experts even swear by rhythmic breathing as the secret to an intense orgasm. Apparently there’s no formula to getting it right, the trick is to be aware of your breaths and use them to your advantage. We’ll be taking notes on that...

Talk about it with friends

Similarly to reading about it online, it’s important to remove the stigma and taboo surrounding sex, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a healthy sex life. Getting into a conversation with your best friends about the realities of love making can really help you open up and understand your own body in comparison to others, which in turn only helps you out when getting busy. Most of the time we have a fear that what we’re up to might be wrong, or that we’re weird in some way, but by chatting openly to those you feel comfortable around we all come to realise that we’re all great in our unique way, and the things we feel weird about might not be that weird at all!

Dress up

One of the sure-fire ways to make yourself feel super confident and sexy as hell is to dress the part, and that is where we come in. Whether you feel like wearing something girly and flirty with not too much effort, or fancy going all out, harness style, we have something for everyone onsite. The trick here is not to delve too far into the deep end but find something that makes you feel good, first and foremost. The rest, as they say, is confidence.

And of course, to really bring out your animalistic side go wild with the new Leopard Print Nova set, available now!

Check out our site:
www.bluebella.com