Hello Boys!

I've got a couple of those Gossard Wonderbras. They are so brilliant, I swear, even I get cleavage with them.

- Kate Moss, 1994, New York Times Magazine

These days, it's the oldest trick in the book. Slip on a push-up bra; wear a skin-tight, low cut shirt, pull it down lower; a bit of lipgloss and a flutter of the eyelashes and everything will be yours - an extension to your assignment, a promotion at work (good luck with that one), sex, a discount at your local mechanic... Since its early incarnation from 2 handkerchiefs and some ribbon in 1913 - designed by New York girl about town Mary Phelps Jacob after discovering her run-of-the-mill corset just would not do with her lovely new sheer evening frock - the simple bra has fulfilled the desires of many a woman (and man, I suppose - although I wonder if their hopes aren't just a little bit dashed once the garment in question is removed?): they hide nipples, they give shape, they create cleavage where cleavage never was before - they can even hide cleavage. But don't be deceived by the apparent simplicity of these creations - the first wonder-bra, when its patent was registered in 1963, had 54 elements! Somehow, these 54 features did what no bra had ever done before - the chest became a smorgasboard, a talking point, the bigger the better, your hidden duck promising to lay a golden egg of opportunity.

And so the bra is redesigned, reshaped, re-angled every year - each promising more lift, shape and general cleavage enhancement than the next. It's exhausting. (But wonderful - I do love a good bra). But what do I love more than a good bra? A pretty array of lingerie. And who else better to deliver on this than the queen of burlesque and dancing-in-her-underwear herself, Dita Von Teese?

Dita Von Teese has just launched - in collaboration with WonderBra - her own range of vintage-inspired lingerie. The Teese range includes:

• Multi-Teese: Described as a sexy multi-way set, handy for kinky bedroom antics and burlesque-style performances.
• Spot-Teese: A saucy set decorated with casino chips.
• Satin-Teese: The classic vintage look: glamour by the bucketload.

I have no idea if we'll get the range here in Oz - but it launches in the UK later this month. Lucky London ladies!

Dita's style rules
* Have items tailored to fit you. Most dry cleaners provide that service and it doesn't cost much. Everything I have has been taken in. If something fits you fantastically, it instantly looks designer.
* Don't punish yourself by putting on ugly lingerie just because it's for "everyday" wear.
* Go through your lingerie drawer and throw away anything with a blown elastic or underwires poking out. Have a little self-respect.
* Don't throw something away just because you haven't worn it in a year, like people tell you to do. I've rediscovered wonderful stuff that has been sitting around in my wardrobe for longer than that. (I love this piece of advice!)

Completely gratuitous shot of Kate Moss in Agent Provocateur. My favourite lingerie by far