It’s that time of year again—the Curve Expo lingerie and swimwear trade show! Normally I write two posts about it, but this year I’m splitting it into four posts instead (plus however many Darlene writes). It’s exhausting trying to cram all the photos and news into just two posts! This week I’m sharing three brands I’ve not discussed much previously—Nubian Skin, Miss Mandalay, and Simone Perele—then the following weeks will cover Claudette, Curvy Kate, the Eveden family, Gossard, Le Mystere, Panache, Parfait, Passionata, and Tutti Rouge.


Nubian Skin

First up is Nubian Skin. Mia introduced readers to them after the February 2015 Curve show. As she mentioned, since the last Curve they’ve expanded from 30-36 B-DD up to 40 bands in the same cups. And now I’m happy to report that they’ll be adding up to size 38G in the Essential T-Shirt Bra by summer 2016.

Left to right in the bras: Berry, Cinnamon, Caramel, Café Au Lait.
Left to right in the bras: Berry, Cinnamon, Caramel, Café Au Lait.

Further, Nubian Skin has added curvy tights to their hosiery collection, offering matte 15 denier tights in sizes XL, 2X, and 3X. The tights are extra long and exceedingly stretchy, but they bounce back like a champ!

Curve tights being stretched way out.
Curve tights being stretched way out.
And the same tights after the stretching, being held by a model in the Classic Lace Boost Bra and Classic Lace Short.
And the same tights after the stretching, being held by a model in the Classic Lace Boost Bra and Classic Lace Short.

Additionally, Nubian Skin’s distribution has increased quite a bit, and is still growing. The brand can be found at ASOS.com, bluestockingsboutique.com, Bra Tenders in NYC, Busted Bra Shop in Detroit, London’s Fenwick Bond Street, Figleaves.com, Gift Ko (bengc.net), HaooyLegs.ca, the UK’s House of Fraser, Nigeria’s Jumia.com, MyTights.com, Nordstrom, Washington DC’s Nubian Hueman, Nashville’s O Bridal Boutique, and of course NubianSkin.com.


Miss Mandalay

I’ve been aware of Miss Mandalay since Miss Underpinnings wrote a glowing review of their signature Amelie bras all the way back in 2013. Then I was lucky enough to pick one up used from a swap and sell group, and it fit me much the same, i.e. really well. The one I snagged features a wonderful pumpkin orange over the black lace, and I’d love to add more colors to my collection at some point. In fact, there are two new colors being released, navy blue and a stunning pale grey:

IMG_4053

IMG_4055

I was a fan of some of the other styles as well, including:

Robin was like a padded version of Amelie. The Miss Mandalay rep referred to it as “How much stuff can we get on a bra?”
Robin was like a padded version of Amelie. The Miss Mandalay rep referred to it as “How much stuff can we get on a bra?”
The lovely yet understated Paris.
The lovely yet understated Paris.
Paris on the body.
Paris on the body.
Florine
Florine
Sheer but rigid fabric with flocked polka dots.
Sheer but rigid fabric with flocked polka dots.
Talia, featuring a stretch satin upper cup.
Talia, featuring a stretch satin upper cup.
Ava, a 3-part cup with flocked leopard spots.
Ava, a 3-part cup with flocked leopard spots.

Miss Mandalay also makes some amazing modern swimwear:

I missed this one’s name too, and it’s not in the lookbook!
I missed this one’s name too, and it’s not in the lookbook!
Gold hardware.
Gold hardware.
Double-straps
Double-straps
Subtle sparkle!
Subtle sparkle!
Icon
Icon in colorblocked light grey.
Another Icon piece, atop a photo of it being worn—looooove those straps!
Another Icon piece, atop a photo of it being worn—looooove those straps!

The Amelie I own is 30G and is a wee bit loose in both the cups and the band, but since I’m in between sizes (28G/GG to 30FF/G), I’d say it fits true to size. Miss Mandalay bras range from 28–38 C–H (UK). Swimwear tops out at GG.


Simone Perele

Finally, we come to the French brand Simone Perele. This brand was a major mystery to me up until this Curve, since at all previous shows they refused to talk to me! But this time, Darlene and I piggybacked on the appointment belonging to a retailer friend. I kept my mouth shut without asking too many questions because I didn’t want to intrude on the actual business going on, and I think Darlene will probably cover them more in depth, but there were a couple pieces that really stood out to me:

I was simply obsessed with the delicate beauty of the Wish demi bra.
I was simply obsessed with the delicate beauty of the Wish demi bra.
Secret cutouts are nearly hidden among the sheer embroidered cups.
Secret cutouts are nearly hidden among the sheer embroidered cups.
I don’t know what this pattern is, but I love it.
I don’t know what this pattern is, but I love it.
Delice, the brand’s #1 selling range.
Delice, the brand’s #1 selling range.
I thought the silver on black “Moonlight” colorway was entrancing.
I thought the silver on black “Moonlight” colorway was entrancing.

Simone Perele ranges from 30–40 B–H (French sizing, so the equivalent of a UK FF), depending on the style.

That’s it for this week! Check in next week for Gossard, Le Mystere, Passionata, and Tutti Rouge.