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I've been following a debate that was started recently on The Lingerie Post over a clear "copycat" garment featured in this story. We as a brand are obviously biased, but maybe not in the way you'd expect. I absolutely understand the inspiration and sharing of ideas that takes place between designers that starts trends and gets people shopping. Now there are cases where a design is a clear copy/knockoff and in some cases these copycat designs can be detrimental to the small firm with an inability to spread the word about their style and collections before a bigger faster fashion house, but in many cases the originator can use their unique lifestyle perspective and "signature look", so that no one else can truly replicate their "brand aesthetic". To keep it short you can duplicate a garment, but you can't duplicate a brand. The real trick as a designer and entrepreneur is to find a way to market and create a brand that has a fingerprint that goes deeper than the clothing.
I came across this video a month or two ago and thought it was a great time to share.
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Well, our summer styles were here a while ago, so have you kicked off your shoes and taken some time to relax? Our "Come Out & Play" intimates are perfect for those lazy, hazy summer days. Dream away, nap, slumber, jump back into bed. My favorite relaxing moment is to curl up with a book or cup of coffee in bed, not needing to get out or do anything is such a special feeling, so I try to hold onto those moments even after I get out of bed and get on with the day.
Here we styled the collection with some fabulous summer accessories for the beach or poolside this summer. Clothing that goes from the bedside to poolside, could you ask for more?
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There's always a touch of your basic black and white in any urban environment, and in NYC black and white is worn year round as a uniform. Here we take our favorite pieces from Between the Sheets Collection that are sure to be far more comfortable being loungewear and style them as trend appropriate for the city's weekend warrior.
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We've been so inspired by the freshness of coral and turquoise accesories paired with crisp ivory/white and navy. Throw in some basic denim and you have a formula for a look that's bound to bring out your desert diva!
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I don't care whether it's holiday, valentine's day, or labor day- red lipstick never goes out of style! There is no better way to update your look and totally change the way your face looks than to throw on a gorgeous shade of red.
To start you will need:
*A red lipstick in a shade that's right for you (Ask someone at the makeup counter to help you find the right shade for you, and always make sure to walk outside and check it in the daylight too!)
*Matching lipliner
*concealer, liquid foundation, or some sort of lip primer
Here I used Mac satin finish lipstick in "MAC red" and Mac Lip pencil in "redd" with a touch of MAC Dazzleglass creme in "Do it up", and I think it's the perfect shade for a wide range of skin tones and to get that fresh "pin-up-y" look!
If you have chapped lips (and right now it's the middle of a blizzard here in NYC so many of us might!) a good way to prep your lips and get rid of any flakiness is to brush them, yes brush them with a toothbrush! Not to hard but just enough to bascially exfoliate your lips.
Apply your primer/foundation/concealer. If you are putting on foundation anyways it's easy just to cover your lips as well, and what this does is give a dry base to prevent cracking in the color
Next line your lip with a red liner to define your lips edge and also to help prevent the color from bleeding
Apply lipstick, and you can do this with a brush or from the tube. A brush will layer on the color whereas straight from the tube will go on thicker.
Blot between your lips with tissue, and run your finger between your lips like a lollipop (this takes out any lipstick that might've gotten on your teeth!)
I usually go back and add more color if blotting took too much off, and also a dab of gloss to the pout to accentuate
Another neat trick I picked up is to add a highlighter like Benefit's HighBeam to the outside corner of your mouth, this emphasizes the sharp corners you've drawn in
Now get ready to break some hearts!
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I think people are surprised to find out that I do the hair and makeup for our shoots, but I'm too much of a perfectionist to keep my hands off!! I've spent years tackling my own persian mane, and also getting friends and roomates to sit still for me to do makeup has been a much loved past-time. I've had to lend a hand to fix or touch up hair on shoots in the past, and also am no stranger to the fashion show backstage, and along the way I have picked up the tricks of the trade and developed my own technique for that perfect sexy tousled just slept in look.
To start you will need:
Blow Dryer
Strong Hold Hairspray
Large Barrel Curling Iron (1 1/2 to 2" should do it!)
Basic Hair clips (bobby pins will work if you're in a pinch but are harder to handle and can leave a crease)
Large Velcro Rollers
Shine Spray/Serum
-You want to start with semi-straight hair
*do not use a flattening iron or you'll never get the volume back in!!** so blow dry your hair straight and dry or let it air dry
-Next you're going to section your hair off into 3 parts
1. The hair around your neck below your ears
2. The hair between your ear's and the crown of your head
3. The crown (by the crown I mean just where a crown would sit on your head, simple right?)
- Pin the hair above your ears up so you have room to move, and moving around your head start curling your hair by wrapping sections around the curling iron
TIP **To remove frizz run the curling iron along your hair from root to tip like a straightening iron before wrapping
**For fine or super straight hair spray the hairspray on your hands and run over each section
-You know when to release the hair from the iron when you touch it and it feels hot, not warm (this may singe your fingers a little depending on the temp your iron goes up to, but it's worth the end result and also keeps you from over-heating your hair!)
-When you release the curl, don't let it fall open! Keep the curl wrapped as it was around the barrel and pin it to the scalp like in the picture. This may take some practice, but once you get the hang of it you can work through sections rather quickly.
-For the hair on the crown I like to "smooth curl" the hair, and then roll it over BIG velcro curlers. Running the curling iron over it heats it up so it takes the shape of the velcro roller better, and the velcro keeps itself in place without any pins that could cause lines.
- At this point it's important to let your hair SIT & COOL, if you don't the curls will fall out much faster, once the hair cools the shape gets set in and you'll have springy bouncy curls! So do your makeup, read a magazine, relax until your hair gets cool
-Remove the pinned curls and rollers, and at this point you can spritz with shine serum or apply a small amount of a liquid shine serum to your hands. Run your hands through the curls, breaking them up and evenly distributing the shine which returns luster that hairspray can take away
-Finally you may want to recurl the front of your hair from your crown to blend in and define depending on your hair's length you may or may not need to.
VOILA!
(To get Jaime's look here, take the hair at the front of your crown and smooth back and push forward until you get a "pouf", anchor with two criss-crossed bobby pins at your crown.)
Now you too can be ready for your moment in the spotlight, and no matter who your partner is they will be sure to want to reach out and touch your seriously sexy locks!
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"I painted these as I was starting the brand, & I wanted to visualize the girl I was designing for. I was just starting to work with watercolor and it took a couple of tries until I found a way to keep the color where I wanted it, and in the end I was so happy with the images that I decided to use them for my namesake brand & site. I think there's something so ethereal about images in watercolor... the way it bleeds in some places, the way the colors run together. I'm going to make a point to do more as I move the brand forward, because on the night's before a photoshoot or in dreaming up a new collection I keep picturing a moment in my head before it even happens and something about putting it on paper puts me at ease. I hope you enjoy them!" xo Layla
all images copyright Layla L'obatti
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There is a special place reserved in every woman's wardrobe for the finer pieces she splurges on, and the debut collection of Layla L'obatti for Between the Sheets will find it's way into that spot. Contemporary versions of lingerie, from an era where handcrafted pieces were a way of life. Like a wedding dress, or an collectible scarf or bag, these pieces are rare Specimens of Seduction.
Our friend Bob Nittoli who you might remember from one of our previous posts. In a lightbox shoot that we teased earlier in an interview with Layla, these ethereal pieces took on a spirit and life of their own. Now finally we are able to share with you these delectable, collectable objects of lust. They will be available in December and stores will be posted on www.laylalobatti.com as they get shipped. If you wish to purchase individually you can also contact sales_at_btslingerie_dot_com before our online store launches in late january! The perfect gift for the discerning fashionista this holiday, valentine's, or special occasion.
For more images and for store listings: www.laylalobatti.com
lightbox photography & close up photography: bob nittoli
model images: larry baglio featuring johana
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I want to take a moment to thank a couple of the people who have touched my life along the way, and share it with you here for Thanksgiving.
1. My boyfriend & partner in crime Josh, he's always first in my thoughts because we spend day in and day out coming up with new ways to take over the world ;) or just make it through the day. Either way, having him in my life has given me a rock to hold on to when it's stormy.
2. My talented friends- to name a few:
Vincent Welch, who's good at wii bowling but even better at editing a killer video, and never scoffs at the crazy ideas I throw at him! Also a fantastic chef and abbreviator of words.
Bob Nittoli, who's been involved with BTS since my very first show, and who has helped capture some of the most amazing images. Also a beer connoisseur, and a wonderful drinking companion to enjoy the lovely beer gardens of our Astoria neighborhood.
Lauren, who has modeled for me since the first BTS show. She is an amazing muse, such a sweethearted soul, and her smile can light up a room. To many more shoots together my dear!
To Larry Baglio, who I met through Lauren and who has captured our first collections in images so perfectly!
3. To my family, who believed in me enough to support me coming to New York in the first place, to studying fashion of all things. I know there were many things I could have done, but because of their support I am able to make this dream come true. Not only through an education but through supporting me in the early stages of turning my business dreams into a reality. My uncle and adopted father, an entrepreneur whose tireless nature lives strong in me. My aunt, who is always striving to make life more beautiful, and which I believe I am also honoring when I create lovely lingerie to beautify a woman's form.
4. To Isabela Marchesa III, otherwise known as "Izzy", she has kept me sane during the crazy moments. Plus, she's fuzzy... and I can't get enough of her diabolical antics!
5. And this may come off cheesy and grandiose, but to the US of A, because we are so lucky to have the opportunities we have here. My mother came from Iran, which you all know is not a place of great freedoms now. When she left it was just the beginning of it's fall from grace so to speak, and I am so lucky that I have had the opportunity to be raised and educated here. I would rather not contemplate the alternative, but instead I am purely thankful for the machinations of fate that keep me here.
Thank you to the many more friends, family, colleagues, and fans who have also supported BTS and me along the way. Happy feasting, happy shopping, and happy thanksgiving.
xo
Layla
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BTS guy: Everyone loves the name Between the Sheets, tell us where and how did the name come to you?
Layla: Well the first year we did the show, I wanted to come up with a good name. At first we said we wanted it to be all about New York fashion, and then I said, "It's New York fashion- Between the Sheets". Eventually it became just Between the Sheets, and then BTS… it’s all history from there!
BTS guy: Why start your own company? What made you want to leave your job and start this as a manufacturing business, did you not like designing for other people?
Layla: Not at all! I loved working on the brands I was working for, but there was always the dream of following my gut and making it on my own. I don't know if I have something to prove to anyone else, but I definitely had something to prove to myself. I always pictured starting this being a lot of work... and investment, and oh my god it is, and more.
BTS guy: What was hard, I mean we watch shows on TV where they make evening gowns in a day or two, what’s the difference?
Layla: Well first, making headway with vendors and suppliers was a totally different experience on my own than as a representative of a big company. I’ve been so happy to have found the vendors that are willing to work with me, I mean it’s not like I don’t pay for what I get, but you’d be surprised how some will nickel and dime you for a sample of a bow for your library! I have to spend money to make money, but it was hard at first finding a lot of people wanted me to spend money where I knew it wasn’t needed. My experience in the industry definitely helped weed out which ones were serious about selling and would make good partners for future production.
Second, the steps you take to design a collection and bring it to production at a large fashion company are totally different than what you do as a small designer. Especially as a startup! I worked on start up brands where it seemed like the resources poured in were so out of sync with what the sales were in the first season, and even in the first couple of years. (really my only experiences in the industry were on start-ups or re-launches, I guess my entrepreneurial spirit worked well in that type of environment) In starting my own business I have done so much more myself and utilized all my skills to the fullest. I design, merchandise, pattern, drape, sew… and this has been a huge asset. My education at FIT was what gave me that ability. I don’t think everyone necessarily got that experience, but I definitely challenged myself throughout school by starting the BTS fashion show I committed myself to making a full 10 look collection while taking 22 credits and interning! I look back and don’t always know how it all came together… and I’m sure I’ll look back on these days and think the same.
Finally, I think emotionally it’s been hardest, especially with such a product development heavy industry where you work up to a year and a half out and don’t see any return! I mean, the emotional toll of that is in managing the stress. I knew it would be, but it’s another thing to almost be at the proverbial finish line and know you have to speed up and run to make it across… digging deep and finding that energy somewhere within. I don’t think there’s ever a true finish line in fashion, the moment you are done with one season you move on to the next! AND in reality you are really working on at least three seasons at once (design on one, sales on the next, production on the closest to shipping). As an entrepreneur you also have to deal with the numbers of how you’re going to keep it all growing… it’s daunting sometimes. I’m one of the hardest parts right now, the waiting/prep in between showing our first season and getting around to the first round of production, some days it’s just crazy busy, others agonizingly slow- makes life feel like a roller coaster!
BTS guy: WOW, well I’m not surprised, I knew what you do I get to see it everyday! ;) What do you do to relax?
Layla: Huh?! What’s that? Lol Sadly I think focusing, buckling down, and working make me feel relaxed. I think I’m officially a workaholic. I think when the worst is over I’ll enjoy just reading, watching a movie, going out to brunch once in a while.
BTS guy:: Where do you find inspiration for your designs, what were your thoughts behind the brands? And really… why two brands?
Layla: For the shows I took inspiration from a lot of sources, for creating the lines I took a totally different approach. For Between the Sheets Collection I started with fabrics that I knew would be amazing to wear, trims that would feel good against the skin, and colors that were wearable across a wide range of skin tones. Then I worked on merchandising the line with a range of styles that would fit & flatter a wide range of body types. I wanted Between the Sheets Collection to really hit the widest audience/consumer.
I think the Layla L’obatti for Between the Sheets range was just an opportunity for me to show what I could really do, with amazing ingredients and smart design I think I’m proud of the crafstmanship and ingenuity of this range. I was really inspired by vintage pieces I had seen at a show here in New York a while back, and really lace is inspiring, knowing all the ways it can be applied and showed off is how I got started on designing these pieces. Each one is truly unique, and I think they will end up being heirloom pieces that are passed on. They really are unique.
Really the line I hope most women will wear/afford is Between the Sheets Collection. I really live in loungepants, shorts, camis, and soft bras, but I wanted things that were neither ruffly nor the basic black. I think I came up with a fun line that can mix and match and that won’t overpower your own beauty. One thing I learned from working with so many great designers and models during the Between the Sheets fashion shows was that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
another great shot of Lau from our S/S 10 shoot by Larry Baglio
BTS guy: Why not go plus size then?
Layla: I wish I could go to larger sizes, but it’s hard to justify those up front costs when just getting started. Also, if I were to do it I would want to do it right, meaning develop a line that was cut to fit plus sizes specifically. The shapes and lines are different, and I definitely see myself doing that in the future.
BTS guy: Why call yourself BTS girl… why not just write as Layla.
Layla: : well, this brand it’s really not about me. Maybe that’s another reason I started the Layla L’obatti range, because that is more personal… but for Between the Sheets we are all different “Between the Sheets” and this is just the voice/name I use to convey that personality on the web. I’m kind of obsessed with social/viral marketing too, and in doing that I think a good name does wonders.
BTS guy: I know you have big dreams for this… where do you see it going?
Layla: Ha, if I could only begin… I see soaps, candles, what else… I don’t know! The possibilities are endless, but let’s just get through this first step! I want people to be excited at each turn to see what we’re doing next. As a designer I have many more tricks up my sleeve, many new ideas to share. As an entrepreneur I’ll make sure to keep it all making sense within the larger scope of our brand… and if the brand isn’t big enough to handle all my ideas I’ll just start another one!
behind the scenes with a new shoot from Bob Nittoli...
we'll show you closer to the holidays when this designer range hits stores!
BTS guy: We’ve had people asking for product now, what do you want to tell them?
Layla: Don’t worry!!! We’ll be out to you soon enough, I know it won’t be in time for the holidays and trust me I’m disappointed about the timing too, it sucks to hear people say they want it now and not to have it! I hope you’re all around in late January and ready to snap it up as soon as the stores put it up on the shelves! I’ll be traveling and doing trunk shows for whoever will have me, and I want to hear if you love it, hate it, or whatever! So be patient, we should hit stores as early as late January/February. Oh, and we do have some earlier deliveries of Layla L’obatti scheduled… I’ll keep you posted!
BTS guy: random question of the day- what’s your biggest underwear pet/peeve?
Layla: Well since I started shopping fabrics for the line I am sort of annoyed at how thin lounge pants are! I mean, no girl is totally cool with her body, but those thin materials are not flattering… not to mention when coupled with VPL [visible panty line]! I think I would say thin/see through lounge pants.
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