Sweet Revenge is up with the times. Looking ahead to Spring 2011, we’ve come up with some basic pieces in more luxurious fabrics, which can mix and match with corsets and waist cinchers. Wear them at home, or layer them for a “going out” look, I won’t tell! The basic nightgowns/negligees are made of cottons and silks, while the corsets are made of damasks and printed velvets, all in a palette of cream, lilac, gold and white. Fresh, playful and just right for spring.

Golds, creams, lilac and white make the palette fresh for spring.

The youthfulness of ruffles (left) and elegance of silk shantung (right). Sweet Revenge Spring 2011.

Sweet Revenge's white embroidered nightie with gold cincher, jewelry by Cheeky Couture. Photo by TV Ryan

Let’s start with this: it is unbearably hot and humid in Indianapolis right now. I believe we have some rain forest birds and frogs currently living in our yard. So when you put several hundred people in two (albeit very large) rooms, the air handlers couldn’t quite keep up. But apparently we are dedicated to our craft, because we stuck it out for a very long day. A cooler full of wine, water and Diet Coke (in that order) keep me in good spirits, as did meeting a lot of interesting and creative people.

I’m including a very short video clip–which I didn’t intentionally take, because it sums up the craziness back stage. I had tucked my camera into my bra strap (stupid pocketless dress), and of course dropped it twice in the course of the night. Therefore, when I attempted to take a quick snapshot backstage I ended up with this video instead…

I’d asked Amanda to model for me at the last minute–literally about 15 minutes before we were to be backstage–because another model had a conflict (the hair and makeup used for another designer was too extreme for my items). Amanda was gracious enough to agree and we did her hair and makeup VERY quickly. Luckily, she looks great to begin with.

She’s wearing an ivory corset by Sweet Revenge made of satin taffeta, embellished with machine embroidered pink flowers. We’ve laced the corset up the back with ivory satin ribbon, which is surprisingly sturdy but also looks pretty cute. The corset is an overbust style, made to be worn by itself or with something under it, as seen here.

The slip or nightgown underneath, also by Sweet Revenge, is a sheer cotton gauze cut on the bias, with crisscrossed spaghetti straps. It has a gentle elastic across the back to hug it to your body. The cups (which you can’t see because of the corset) are ruched. The hem, which hits at mid-to high thigh, is a circular ruffle finished by a serger rolled edge. Very delicate.

Amanda’s jewelry is by a local company called Cheeky Couture. She’s wearing a multi strand faux pearl bracelet and a choker with a pearl and rhinestone medallion. Visit Cheeky Couture at http://cheekycoutureonline.com.

Four locals model for one of the vendors at Fashion Expo

Beth Bennett's display of her cotton and linen line entitled "Picnic" at the vendor area of Fashion Expo

Printed velvet corset with vintage chemise.

As part of Midwest Fashion Week’s March events, Sweet Revenge will contribute to a short fashion show preceding a showing of the one woman play, Jamaica, Farewell. We’ve decided to do an unpredictable melding of lingerie, vintage and costume pieces in an effort to kick up our heels for spring. Corsets? Check. Dressing gowns? Check. Feathers? Naturally. Silks, lace, tiaras…this isn’t about reality, it’s about fantasy. Come indulge!

Watch a preview of the show aired on Indy Style (March 15th): three models show off some pieces for the fashion show. Sweet Revenge Lingerie designer, Catherine Fritsch, talks to the hosts about her line.

Cabaret Lingerie will be at the IndyFringe Theatre, $30 admission for the fashion show and play. See Events page for more information.

Cremerie racerback and shorts set. Photo by Polina Osherov.

All fashion designers are influenced by what came before, as evidenced by the cycle of fashion. (Surely you’ve noticed that flared pants hems have come around a few times in your lifetime?) Some designers even completely copy another design from a previous era, perhaps calling it an “hommage.” Mostly, though, we take something we like and try to modernize and personalize it to become our own design.

In many ways, the embroidered cotton racerback and shorts set is influenced by the lingerie from the 1920’s. I collect vintage clothing bits (and patterns), as most designers do. I always find ‘20’s lingerie very endearing, because it’s all about details, not structure. The tap shorts were usually a very soft silk, like a charmeuse, and had a nice bit of inset lace detail. The bras tended to be completely unstructured (the silhouette for that time period is very flat chested). Twenties’ and Thirties’ slips were “sweet nothings,” soft, silky and inset with airy lace.

Since I know that lingerie tends to be given as a gift, I feel that it is as important for the lingerie to look good in a gift box as it does on the body. I want a woman to open the box and immediately notice the delicate details and softness of the materials. I decided to follow the example of the 1920’s lingerie and create a set that could be given as a wedding, Valentine’s Day or birthday gift. The resulting set, the Cremerie racerback and shorts, is made of very soft embroidered 100% cotton lawn. This fabric is a high quality fabric that feels great on the skin, and only gets softer when washed. It’s also the tiniest bit translucent, which I think is incredibly sexy. The racerback top has lovely, delicate (and soft) stretch lace at the hem that gently hugs the waistline. A narrower soft lace frames the decolletage. The cups are shaped to flatter the bust, but they are as soft and unstructured as the Twenties’ lingerie. Small hidden hooks and bars are the front closure, and provide a very delicate look to the garment.

Back view Cremerie set. Photo by Polina Osherov.

The shorts are slightly flared at the hip to flatter your upper thigh. A tiny tuck and soft lace finishes the hem. They are short, but not so short that you feel too exposed. The button fly and the delicate gathers at the waist provide some great details. The satin ribbon drawstring is functional (provides an adjustable fit), but is also very feminine and decorative.

The set is beautiful enough to give as a gift, but is practical enough to be worn and enjoyed often.

I decided on sleep wear and lingerie for several reasons, some of which were purely practical. I had worked with a three companies developing sleepwear and lingerie, and so had developed a good feel for what works and what doesn’t work. I have been unsatisfied with the sleepwear options that I have bought for myself, and decided it would be a good place for me to break into retail. Also, I simply enjoy the simplicity and pure femininity of lingerie. I’ve had a lot of fun designing these pieces, and I hope that people have as much fun wearing them!

Sweet Revenge Lingerie is meant to be feminine, comfortable, easy care, and unusual. It’s meant as a treat, something special that you buy for yourself (or receive as a gift), but that’s also practical enough to wear as an every day item. The designs are targeted at the younger crowd, college age through thirties, though I’ve noticed that the appeal isn’t limited to that age range. I think we are all younger in our hearts, and while it can be a bad thing to dress too young in your professional life, there’s absolutely no reason to curb your appetite for frills in your sleepwear.

The initial line’s palette is based on “sweet treats,” like chocolate, raspberry mousse, whipped cream. The Spring 2010 pieces are all lighter colors, but the Fall 2010 pieces will integrate the chocolate browns and café latte colors into the collection. The spring line is all 100% cottons, designed to be lightweight and soft for those steamy summer nights or spring break trip to warmer places. The print (which I am calling Flirtini), is a cherry blossom print in dark pinks, café au lait, mint green and chocolate brown. The embroidered cotton is white on white, designed as a sweet but sexy bridal set or just as a good summer play set. The logo tank is the “pirate tattoo” version of the Sweet Revenge logo printed on a pale pink baby rib knit camisole. I have included fun details that make the pieces unique from what’s available in the chain stores. Since I am a pattern maker, I like to be a little playful with vintage inspired details, like tiny ruffles or tucks. I think they add a lot of visual interest–and sometimes they can conceal flaws.

Catherine Fritsch

Launches January 10, 2010 for Valentine’s Day