(That's shanghai)
Updated: 2007-03-08 09:50

Located in a discreet alley across from the Citic Square Mall on Nanjing Xi Lu is a hidden treasure cove of salacious unmentionables. Shanghai's answer to Agent Provocateur is a spunky new boutique cleverly named Lingerie & Me.

It feels like you are heading for a clandestine meeting as you climb up to the second floor of an art deco house and are ushered into a room full of slinky camisoles, satin slips, multi-colored bras and lace trimmed panties.

Floral patterns, carved black showcases and a deep mauve carpet dominate this tiny two-room shop that has the funk of SOHO, the pizzazz of South Molten Street and the styled collections of Avenue Montaigne all wrapped in one.

Taiwanese Shiny Fang, a confessed lace addict, opened the shop with the laudable aim of bringing avant-garde lingerie concepts to Shanghai. "I wanted a place where a couple can come, spend a couple of hours, select intimates and fall in love again," she says. To achieve that, Fang custom-designed a boudoir-like fitting room (larger than the main shop itself) with a grand sofa, padded mauve velvet walls and a mirrored ceiling trimmed with lace.

Due to its uniqueness, an appointment is needed to visit this store. But it is worth the effort, for here you will find night robes, fluffy slippers, party garters and silken negligees from the likes of John Galliano, Spoylt, Daniel Hechter, Christian Lacroix, Fleurt T, Janet Reger, Cacharel and Sonia Rykiel. The store carries all standard sizes, and prices range from RMB 1,000 to RMB 4,000 for a lingerie set. These may seem a little steep until one factors in the cost of impeccable personalized service and a fitting session.

So if you're looking for something sexy to wear under your business suit, an exciting way to spend some time with your girlfriends, or a discreet place where your boyfriend can shop for you, Lingerie & Me understands your inner desires.

Lingerie & Me
Address:Rm 28, Bldg 5, Lane 1173 Nanjing Xi Lu
Tel:021-6253 3076
Websitewww.lingerieandme.com

By appointment only!