by Marcy Clark

Many Women’s Mafia members will fondly remember Alisha Trimble’s designs that were featured in the March 2009 Women’s Mafia Fashion Show and also in the Women’s Mafia Hamptons Designer Showcase this summer.

Alisha Trimble’s newest design escapade is a new line of lingerie, “Blanche DuMois,” inspired by “the work of Tennessee Williams, his symbolic use of white, and his complex and sensual female characters.”

Alisha Trimble Fashion Show 09.12.09 from b e a s t s o c i a l on Vimeo.

Her Spring 2010 show presented Alisha’s lingerie side project, “Blanche DuMois,” as well as Alisha Trimble Spring 10 Ready to Wear, inspired by the same theme. Guests at the downtown event, a fashion insider’s haven, enjoyed delicious cocktail dresses in the whitest whites and creams, incorporating tuxedo detailing and black ribbon with classic cuts for a preppy-rocker-prom aesthetic (in the hottest possible way). The lingerie featured a mixture of delicate white cotton separates and transparent and opaque shades of nude, with black elastic detailing. My favorite aspects of the lingerie were the fresh takes on garters – simple, well-made, girlish white cotton delicates were given fresh sex appeal with short, a-typical garters.

Says Trimble: “Williams’ characters have a raw-nerves sensitivity that is fragile, delicate, and not for this world. I want to capture that in the clothes, and for the women who wear them to really feel alive and beautiful.” Well-known in Manhattan social circles for her ready-to-wear cocktail dresses and evening gowns, Alisha’s fashion industry beginnings were actually in lingerie. “I worked my way up in fashion, starting as Merchandiser for Cosabella Lingerie, and later Regional Specialist for La Perla. Fit was always the most important aspect of any job.” Deriving her accurate sense of fit from intimate apparel, Alisha’s dresses have a body-shaping effect, which flatters any woman’s figure.

Things have now come full-circle as Ms. Trimble offers a well-edited collection of lingerie. “I took some time away from the lingerie business, because I wanted to develop my own unique approach. Blanche DuMois is special because it is a basic, yet sensual, and very comfortable line. I’m excited at the simplicity of the forms: from where I am starting, I see a lot of room to grow.” And grow she will.

Images by Nicole Marie Polec, Makeup by Sara Franzese, Hair By Rea Winter & Arrojo Studio, Jewelry by Diana Warner, fabric necklaces by Anna Marcell.