The holiday season is a time when we take out the fancy clothes we rarely wear all year. For women this often means dresses, and slinky ones at that. Thin fabrics on these impressive frocks might be the most body-hugging things we wear all year.

This is where CASS comes in. CASS is a luxury shapewear company. What's shapewear? Shapewear is an undergarment you wear that nips, tucks and generally smooths and tones a shape without a minute in this gym.

And in this case we're showing the Cami Slip Dress by CASS. This slip dress is the ultimate shaper as it provides medium support from the bust to the thigh. It's the perfect undergarment to wear under a dress to keep a line or bump from marring your silhouette and the CASS Cami Slip Dress won't cling to fabrics and stays put all night long.

The CASS Cami Slip Dress works on all shapes but is best for sizes 0-12 with cup sizes A-C.

December marks the Walk the Windows contest in downtown Courtenay so it’s the perfect time to talk about E. M. Interior Design, the firm behind the window displays of Secret Drawers Lingerie.

Seen above: Chantelle bra with CASS body-shaper and a Diamond Tea robe.

Estar McMillan is the woman behind E. M. Interior Design and we always look forward to seeing her monthly vignettes. She shows a deft hand in creating seasonal displays featuring our products in sophisticated and fun ways. We sat down with McMillan to learn more about her design ideals.

“I make it (the window design) exude what we’re selling… my goal is to make it sensual, flirty, but not over the top or cheesy,” says McMillan, “I try hard to make it as classy as I can. It’s beautiful product; it’s a joy to be able to work with it. And every time my client is happy, I’m happy.”

McMillan started working with us about a year ago and immediately she was a natural fit.

“I really believe in their philosophy in dressing from the inside out, so I think about that all the time when I do the windows. It speaks loudly,” says McMillan.

Seen above: Prima Donna bra and panty, Chantelle bra and panty and Naked underwear for men.

The stunning window designs show our lingerie in its most desirous light. Her creative talent really shines; and maybe most creative of all is her ability to reuse, repurpose and even create some of the stunning elements seen in our windows. This season’s five-foot high snowflakes are her latest creation.

“I use my imagination a lot in a time when the economy is a bit tricky. It’s important not to throw everything out and start over. I believe design should be affordable for everyone not just people with money.”

And it seems that McMillan is as happy working with us as we are working with her,

“Pulling all the elements together, the plan of the space, and the materials for the end product: it’s a passion; it’s a joy. Lighting, colour, everything we use… (I love) helping people see the vision and see how pleased they are with the end product, it’s the compliments when they’re thrilled with the job.”

And while her designs are always topics of conversation for both us and our clients, we’ll give McMillan and her designs the last words,

“I like to let my work speak for itself.”

You can contact E. M. Interior Design at emid1027@shaw.ca.

[Remember, voting for your favorite window display enters you to win a $1000 downtown shopping spree other other great prizes. Come by and vote today.]

At Secret Drawers Lingerie we aim to make you feel beautiful every day and in every look, be it a business suit, yoga pants or that slinky body-caressing silk dress you bought for the office Christmas party.

Enter CASS. We offer different lines of shapewear for unique looks and body types. Our CASS pieces are specifically designed for those who wish to smooth as well as shape their bottom half. The strategically placed panels and stitching lift as well as smooth the bottom. We also carry a model that slims down to the knee.

And as you can see in the image, these pieces not only look good under clothes but also on their own. These pieces aren't just underpinning, they are everyday wear.

For those looking to slim their torso or upper-half, check out the Unbelievabra or the Sveltesse line, both with superior control and shaping. A seamless shape simply no longer requires suffering.

If you're buying a body-shaper for a special outfit, make sure to bring that outfit with you and we can fit you in the perfect shaper for your look.