Hidden Agenda

For some girls, plain old panties just don't cut it. And forget the frothy variety of "special occasion" underthings where function is all but an afterthought. British artists Lisa Z Morgan and Melanie Probert have been on the case though, since they happened to notice that most of the lingerie and panties available to them seemed to have been created for the benefit of partners and not the women who would actually be wearing them. As a result, Strumpet & Pink aims to offer a unique and exquisitely designed collection of unmentionables that make a woman look and feel beautiful. Kate Moss is already a fan.

In producing their line, the designers put the same attention on detail that a traditional designer might apply to a dress or a fine tailored suit, from the carefully chosen mix of fabrics to the classic French seams. Their "couture" panties are then dyed, sewed, and finished all by hand, making it feel like such an incredible shame that they have to be worn underneath your $300 pair of jeans.

In addition to the naughtily named Mrs. Robinson and Cheer Leader designs, Strumpet & Pink's most recent collection includes the Dress Shirt, which is essentially the designers' take on the beloved granny panty. Ultimately, the designers sought to overturn the notion that knickers can't be beautiful, sexy, and comfortable. "We make our knickers with [everything from] exquisite fabric, colors, and details that create a garment that is beautiful, playful, naïve, and sensuous," says Lisa. "And somehow, our knickers seem to embody the many contradictions that make up most women." Perhaps when it comes to panties, it's what's underneath that counts.

For more information, go to www.strumpetandpink.com.

British label Strumpet & Pink gives lingerie a bespoke twist.