Paul Allens No 2 yacht - Octopus

My husband and I were having a discussion the other day. If for some reason we want to go somewhere and the Rolls isn’t available, there’s no real problem, we can always use the Aston, the Ferrari or even the Bugatti. But what do we do when the yacht’s not available? I can hardly be expected to transport my nightgowns in some cramped suitcase, or navigate the vulgarities of a commercial airline.

So the solution is of course, buy another yacht. I have to admit, I thought that would be quite an unusual idea, at $100 million or so each, luxury yachts don’t’ exactly grow on trees, but it seems that Paul Allen had the idea before us. In addition to Tatoosh, the 301 foot yacht he purchased in 2001, the Microsoft founder also owns ‘Octopus’  the worlds eighth largest superyacht. Clearly Mr Allen agrees with us that luxury needs backup. Octopus has two helicopters as well as two submarines, so no-ones going to spoil his fun anytime soon.

Of course the good thing about having two is that while you’re using one, the other can be earning. The eldest son of the President of Equitorial Guinea reportedly paid $600,000 to rent Tatoosh for a Christmas cruise.  Just enough to fill up Octopus fuel tanks.

Pure, butter colored silk nightgown with a halter neck and drawstring bodice.

Most striking is the sunshine – even with the news reports of doom and gloom it’s pretty difficult to feel depressed in all this sunshine – and it’s equally difficult to feel good about wearing all those sensible wardrobe ‘basics’. While navy, charcoal and black are pretty well the only colors you see in the UK, Florida sunshine seems to demand brighter, happier colors which would be regarded as pretty poor taste in Bond Street.

But it’s in attitudes that the differences become really apparent. While a European woman will dress for herself – understanding that much of her appeal lies in her self-confidence – women in the US still seem to dress for others. When we talk to women about the kind of nightwear they want they keep telling us what their husbands like, invariably something short, transparent and not for the shy. When pressed the same women admit that they actually fall into bed in an old, but comfortable sweatshirt.

Ladies of America! The pleasures of silk, satin and lace at bedtime are many and they ARE for YOU and not just for HIM. The fabric feels fantastic -you feel feminine – relaxed, elegant, comfortable, cool, in all senses of the word!

Josephine nightgown - made from double silk georgette

Designers love georgette because it’s texture gives it movement, seamstresses tend to hate it because it is difficult to sew. It is also difficult to pin, and may show pin marks or snag, so the seamstress must take extra care. The layers are slippery and may need to be interlayered with tissue paper, making the process take longer. Good quality georgette garments will usually have doubled seams, which also adds to the cost of construction. This is one reason why georgette garments tend to be in the luxury bracket and are more expensive.

Silk georgette is a delightful fabric. As silk thread is very absorbent it takes dies very well and hence is often available in a huge range of gorgeous colours, plain and print. We love using silk georgette in our luxury nightgowns and robes because of the wonderful colors and the drape of the fabric. Although silk itself can be delicate, silk georgette is not only a luxury fabric it is strong and generally more durable.
These days georgette is also created from polyester threads. Polyester georgette tends to me thicker than silk georgette but is usually machine washable and far more crease resistant, a fact which makes it more popular for everyday wear. As it is very light georgette can be used as layers without making the garment too heavy. This can result in some interesting effects where, for example, the georgette overlay and it’s lining are two different colors.

Double georgette is constructed in the same way and can be silk or polyester. It is less sheer than ‘normal’ georgette but just as drapey and may be used without a lining. Double georgette is great for luxury nightgowns because it provides the same floaty feeling without too much transparency. We also use it in the creation of some of our pajamas where double georgette pants make a great contrast with the luxury silk camisole top, giving just a hint of the leg below.

Our Jospehine blue silk nightgown is made from pale blue double silk georgette, light, floaty. Luxury lingerie at it’s best! (Note: Josephine can be made in the color of your choice and makes an excellent special occasion nightgown, for example for brides.