Looking back at the 40s, it’s easy to think of the war years as a glamour-free zone, all dungarees, knotted hankies on heads and land girls in functional tweeds and chunky knits. But it only takes a glance at photos of people on a night out to the cinema, a dance or a dinner date to realise how wrong that impression is. There may not always have been a steady supply of nylons, and lipstick may have been home made, but with the smouldering likes of Joan Fontaine and Katharine Hepburn onscreen, no woman worth her salt was going to look any less than glamorous!
Kiss Me Deadly’s 2010 range is influenced not just by British women’s determination to look glam under fire – even girls on public information posters showed off perfect makeup – but also a period in history where women first truly started making their mark in what was previously a man’s world. Not just keeping the wheels of industry working in factories and offices, but also in intelligence, the armed forces, even showing the nerves of steel required to be a secret agent in enemy territory. It was also a turning point in bra development, as two were supplied as part of women’s uniforms!
Colourways for this season include sophisticated gun metal platinum and moody, seductive midnight blue – perfect for nights out on the town, or even for wearing under business wear for undercover glamour. The platinum finish features in our previously sold-out Sirena style, while the blue is the latest colour to adorn our perennially popular Alouette range. Our other big fabric for the season is a fun but stylish satin print featuring a range of beautifully drawn items from shoes and flowers to powder compacts, in a contemporary take on a retro 40s style. This fabric is used for an all new longline bra, girdle, reversible knickers and two styles of 6 strap suspender belt. All of our printed lingerie items are made in Great Britain, as is our new teddy – available in black or peach.
These new limited edition items will be released at a rate of one or two styles per month in the run-up to Christmas, with retail prices ranging from £15 to £40 per item.
At Kiss Me Deadly, we recognise that many women feel comfortable in vintage styles and seek out contemporary clothing that hearkens back to the 40’s and 50’s. But while the kitsch, colourful pin-up look is great for some, others prefer a more sophisticated, sleek look with an edge. We specialise in femme fatale glamour, with limited editions and colourways available for one season only, to guarantee exclusivity to our customers. All our items come with metal garter tabs, for all day suspense, and modern fabrics, for an easy, comfortable fit that will adapt to pretty much any body-shape.
