Peek-a-boo semi-transparency and lingerie effects are one of the hottest trends spied on autumn/winter 2010/11 catwalks. Close-up Lingerie & Beachwear brings together a selection of the most exciting proposals from women’s pret-à-porter collections and from the most prestigious lingerie and beachwear labels. Femininity, sensuality and elegance are the key ingredients of seduction. Long tunics, slip dresses and kaftans in light voile are studded with tiny sparkling appliqués and diamonds for luxurious evening wear. Black, punctuated by flesh tones, dominates the scene, creating blouses, tops, tube dresses and jumpsuits in tulle and lace, veritable items of lingerie. Lolita dresses and strictly see-through Charleston tunics are embellished with giant sequins, tiny metallic mirrors and coral elements and are designed to be worn with jackets and coats in masculine fabric for contrast, as seen in Antonio Marras catwalk shows. Gucci meanwhile serves up figure-hugging bodies and boob tubes in gold and silver lace which create surprising tattoo effects. Updated Burlesque styles are very exciting, offering a tongue-in-cheek variety of seduction that combines fun and glamour. With its retro flavour, this style has recently been brought back into fashion by striptease artist Dita von Teese. Scarlett red and bunny girl white are the colours for corsets and stay-up stockings that are outrageously cheeky but never vulgar. High-end collections include the new La Perla proposals presented in New York by the deluxe Italian maison, featuring satin culottes, suspender belts, silk dressing gowns in white, black and blue inspired by the intimate apparel flaunted by the divas of the film Noir genre of the 1940s. Balcony bras, sexy baby-dolls and high cut contour-hugging control briefs simply ooze elegance and sophistication. Beachwear fashion too is influenced by this more refined style. One-piece bathing costumes and bikinis are reminiscent of those donned by the lovely Ester Williams for her mesmerizing synchronized swimming routines. Crossover models, front fastenings, zips and layered lingerie details all adorn one-piece costumes for women determined to be fashionable on the beach too. Lilac, camouflage and Hawaiian prints are the preferred choices for bikinis and two-piece outfits that are fun and easy to wear. images: more than 600