PROFILE: Dora Lau from Curvy Couture

Dora Lau has succeeded in delivering a unique line of intimate apparel – a line that satisfies the desire for beauty and the necessary support shapely women crave. She has done this through deep insight that comes from true genuine passion, a dedicated relationship with her customer and a 20 year investment in the industry. Lau continues to pursue the latest in new development and technology which will keep her product evolving and exciting for her customer.

What inspired you to become a lingerie designer?
My family was in the entertainment business and I always worked with laces and luxurious fabrics, so it was always my intention to work in eveningwear or intimate apparel.

What makes your designs different from others? 
I am very much influenced by Hollywood glamour, costume design and inspired by the 20th century designer, Erte. As you can see, Curvy Couture, has some of the characteristics of his work. And I have combined this with full figure technologies and fit.

Are there any celebrities wearing your designs and who are they?
We have hired the Bromley Group for our PR, and they are working on celebrity seeding as we speak.

Do you wear your own products? 
Yes, of course! I love the t-shirt bra-it gives me a smooth curve and a comfortable lift. It’s my daily bra for work, meetings and travel. For evening social functions, when I want to feel sexy, with a little bit of subtle, cleavage, I put on my favorite, versatile plunge with or without the removable pad. It has side boning, which smoothes my sides without digging in.

What’s your favourite lingerie brand (not your own!) and why? 
La Perla because their use of beautiful laces, intricate work and soft triangles has always amazed me.

Do you think there’s enough choice for D+ sizes?
I always felt that this woman has been underserved. She has beautiful curves but the mass market can only offer her basic colors without femininity or glamour. Therefore that is why Curvy Couture is here!

Are you happy with the way lingerie is sized? If not what changes would you like to see? 
The offering is always in small bands. When the missy sized- brands offer wider bands and bigger cups for the full figure market, the normal grading doesn’t work and therefore the fit has been compromised.

What advice would to give to an aspiring lingerie/swimwear designer? 
Most designers only design for themselves without considering their target customer’s body, shape, comfort-level and price sensitivity. If you can marry all these things you can have devoted fans.

How do you get your inspirations for new collections? 
I travel for work, in general. I was recently in St. Petersburg, where I found the costumes of the Czar to be very inspirational. The details and colors will be my inspiration for Fall 2014.

Do you use paper and pencil to design your first draft or is it all done on computer?
Of course, I always go back to pencil and paper.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a designer?
My whole life is all about design and creativity. I would always be involved in design whether it be producing an album or doing interior design. I cannot see my life without design.

What are you working on right now?
I am designing for Spring 2013 and perfecting FGH cup fits since we will be offering that for spring.

What makes a great lingerie model?
Shape and size don’t matter. It depends on her talent-she needs to know how to flirt with the camera and bring across her personality to her audience.

See the latest collection online at Curvy Couture

Category: Designer Profile