BRAND CRUSH: CARINE GILSON
When I think of Carine Gilson, I think of extraordinarily well-crafted lingerie, exquisite floral prints, sumptuously soft silk, delicate lace and timeless designs. It really is the epitome of luxury amongst lingerie brands.
I first discovered the Belgium designer’s work while roaming around Saint-Germain-des-Prés in 2011. Their door was discreet but beautiful. I rang the bell and a lady came to let me in. I still remember my awe till this day. It was like roaming into Eden’s garden (which is emblematic of their house) where the magical trees and flowers take the form of robes, slips, chemise, bras and nickers. I was just a fashion student studying in Paris at that time so the price tag was absolutely beyond me. I politely thanked the lady and left.
Fast-forward 4 years, I revisited Paris and purchased my first two pieces of couture lingerie by Carine Gilson. It was like a dream come true to own such luxurious and well-made pieces of lingerie. I got a floor length robe and a slip from the Jubilee collection the designer launched in 2015 as part of their 25th anniversary campaign. I have featured the robe in a previous post, Reimagining Erotic Fantasies: The Handmaiden.
Having taken a Lingerie Design course during my time at Parsons as well as a short course at London College of Fashion, I truly appreciate the attention to detail and the craftsmanship involved in every unique piece produced by the house. The stitches holding their signature Lyon silk and Chantilly lace together are so delicate they can barely be seen. Each seam is clean finished with French seams (or as the French call them – couture Anglaise) – a traditional sewing technique used for high-end clothing at couture houses.
In my opinion, although every piece is lust-worthy, the most investment-worthy pieces are their silk robes. They certainly do not come with a cheap price tag but offer all the luxury and comfort you could ask for. I purchased this blue printed robe on Matches Fashion during the website’s Thanksgiving sale and I couldn’t be happier with this purchase. The robe is lined along the neckline and sleeve openings with red silk to match the floral print. It also comes with a wide satin sash that is red on one side and printed silk on the other, offering variety in styling. Their floral prints are unlike any other on the market. The word I would use describe their prints is “ethereal”.
If you would like to own a piece of couture lingerie by Carine Gilson, the best way to shop is to visit one of their beautiful boutiques either in Paris, Brussels, London or Taipei. The stores are exquisitely decorated with hand picked items and are totally worth a visit. Feeling the fabrics and shopping in person also offers a completely different experience to receiving their products in a mailbox. If you are not within close vicinity to these places the best places online to shop are Harrods, Net-a-Porter, Nancy Meyer and Matches Fashion. They do go on sale during big sale events or at the end of each season. Alternatively, you can find designs from past seasons on The Outnet. Also, remember to sign up for the sale alert at Shopstyle (which I have already done a long time ago) to receive email alerts if any of their pieces go on sale.
| Photography by Austin Donohue |
Gowns and slip by Carine Gilson
Red Sensu Bra by Bordelle
– SHOP CARINE GILSON –
