La Perla Italian Lingerie

La Perla: An Italian Fashion Icon

Sophisticated, luxurious and expensive, La Perla's beautiful lingerie has been worn by actresses and celebrities. The company's pieces have even become highly prized as collectables.

It all began in the 1950's when the company's founder, Ada Masotti, a concierge, started making corsets for wealthy women. Her fashionable, carefully-made lingerie became very popular and she started to develop the company with her partner, Ubaldo Borgomanero. She specialized in handmade lace and embroidery which is still one of La Perla's specialties.

Masotti's motto is: 'Never compromise on quality and innovation.' The company has certainly aspired to this. Some of their famous innovations include modern stretch fibers developed especially for the company and creating the first matching stretch lace sets. In the 1960's they launched two-pieces in their original colors, instead of the traditional white and black. This started a revolution in lingerie.

La Perla has continued to move with the times, creating romantic lingerie in the late 70's and more modern, sculptured underwear when the 'Power Woman' was in fashion. In 1994, for example, the company created the Sculpture bra, sculpted to fit the contours of the figure.

The company tests their silky and soft fabrics rigorously on women for comfort and wear, before they are marketed. Its reputation for innovation and beauty is rigorously guarded.

 Their latest collection features a jeweled bra made of silk and cotton with crystals and metal ornaments. Glamour and romance are also very prominent with soft, silk and satin camisoles and g-strings in pastel colors with lace and embroidery. Lacy baby dolls and chemises are some of La Perla's trademarks, although they also sell close-fitting, comfortable, stretchy underwear which is very much in fashion.

Although the company is mostly known for its stylish lingerie, it now has twenty different product lines, including Marvel which is renowned for its beautiful cocktail dresses, Maliza and GrigoPerla, the range for men. The main line, La Perla, also produces perfumes and eyewear. The home page features La Perla's stylish hipster jeans.

La Perla's pieces can cost over $300.00 but many women agree that this glamorous and chic lingerie is well worth it, especially for the dainty, floral and lacy bras and panties in the new Glamour collection.

Lisa-Anne Sanderson