Tallulah Catches Me Underwears (Groan)

In a city which sports so much grey, Tallulah lingerie boutique packs quite a punch. Extravagantly painted in vivid purple, Tallulah is utterly unmissable from the outside and if you have a taste for the exotic, the luxurious and the decadently naughty, this is boutique for you. Set in the heart of Islington only yards from the buzzing Upper Street, this funky, fashionable and fun lingerie emporium merges bold décor with antique French inspired furniture to create an eclectic yet classy style.

When Tallulah opened five years ago, owner, Nicola Rance explained her reasons for launching this unique boutique. Rance said she longed to create a place where luxury and practicality could be combined, claiming that too often one overshadows the other in the land of lacies. Tallulah, Rance hoped, would give women both comfort and opulence.

And half a decade on, it certainly provides this, stocking beautiful collections of underwear, ranging from the delicate silk creations of Ayten Gasson to the more modern upbeat stylings of Aubade and Lejaby. And with the recent increase of interest in Burlesque, thanks to Dita von Teese, Tallulah has become the London hotspot for exquisite hosiery, cheeky sequinned nipple tassels and full on 1940’s glamour.

The design of the shop itself is as striking from the inside as from the out, combining contemporary with classic. Warm red walls, drapes and curtains are off set by dark wooden floors and statement pieces. Antique armchairs, gilt framed mirrors, flamboyant vases, filled with simple blooms, contrast with the modern circular lighting. Amusing touches, like the teapots and cups on top of the changing rooms, add a comforting and understated chic.

Walking into Tallulah is almost like walking into someone’s house, which creates the sense that you can take your time and disregard the normal shopper’s frenzy. Although bedroom rather than house might be a better comparison; if there’s one major criticism of this venue, it would be that it’s simply too small to cater sufficiently to more than a handful of customers at once. Suffocating or snugly? Well that depends on the customer’s point of view.

Either way, Tallulah is certainly worth a look. Whether you’re looking for some glam sophistication or a giggle with your girlfriends, a very happy but blushing boyfriend or a private appointment so you can make like one of the glitterati, this fascinating franchise has lots to offer. And after a browse through the silken splendour, you can always go and cool-it-up on Upper Street with the rest of the hip young things (discreetly wearing a pearl string thong underneath your sensible suit.)