March 2026 Issue of Harper’s BAZAAR
It is sometimes said that there is never Mention the word ‘shapewear’ 20 or 30 years ago, and most of what came to mind was not exactly alluring, or beautiful: thick, bandage- like control panels, surgical beige colours and fabrics so unyielding it was exhausting just to contemplate squeezing yourself into them. The market has seen much innovation and growth since then, but none more desirable than the new generation of sculpting shapewear, BODIES by Simone Pérèle, the French luxury lingerie maison famous for both fit and craftsmanship.
High-waisted smoothing briefs, sculpting thongs, barely there lace bodysuits – this is modern shapewear for every woman who loves the feeling of comfort, with a little extra support. And don’t we all. Founded in Paris in 1948 by Simone Pérèle, the brand continues its legacy with Madame Pérèle’s granddaughter, Stephanie, serving as brand and product director. Stephanie joined the company 17 years ago and continues to uphold the family tradition. “I always have her values of the brand in my mind: elegance, quality and boldness,” Stephanie tells Harper’s BAZAAR. “Her mission was to design lingerie that allows a woman to be herself, embrace her natural shape and inspire her sense of self-confidence, and we continue to do that today".
The BODIES collection was created with the intention to rethink shapewear, for both the current customer and a new generation of women who see stylish shapewear as more than just a foundation garment. “For too long, shaping pieces were about control and concealment. We wanted to create something different – sculpting without constricting, smoothing without camouflaging, enhancing the body without apologising for it,” Stephanie explains.
The result is truly beautiful and contemporary shapewear, far too luxurious to be hidden. “We design pieces that are meant to be seen, that are part of how women express themselves: styled under a jacket, worn as a top or layered as part of a sheer outfit,” she adds.
Australian women have long embraced body- conscious dressing, and routinely incorporate activewear into their daily wardrobes, such as bra tops and bike shorts, or wearing high-waisted pants under lace skirts, or styling bodysuits with blazers. Simone Pérèle has also become our premium lingerie go-to, with Australia being the brand’s second-largest market after France. Their latest shapewear launch, Plume, features a line of lightweight pieces crafted from seductive lace mesh, and if the penchant for shapewear continues (it currently makes up 35 per cent of the Simone Pérèle business), then this collection is destined to fly off the shelves.
The distinct graphic floral pattern is a heritage motif from the 1972 archives, reinterpreted for today, and while it looks like a fabulous, fashionable wisp of delicacy that you’d be thrilled to show off under your Saint Laurent jacket, new technologies also deliver affirming, reassuring, second-skin fit. Comfort is a high priority for the brand, especially when it considered that women spend up to 60 per cent of their life in a bra, and the sizes on offer range from an A to H cup, in sizes 8-22. There is also a sense of social responsibility at play, as Plume is made from 54 per cent recycled fibres. “Sustainability is very important to us,” says Stephanie. “The majority of our new collections is part of our Simone Cares range, made from recycled or repurposed fabrics, the program that supports Simone Pérèle’s social and environmental commitments.” The goal is that these innovations will transform the idea of BODIES even further, merging lingerie, shapewear and ready-to-wear in one chic, wearable, empowering package. Good news – for women of all ages and sizes. “What’s particularly moving is that our customer is often part of a generational story. Many women discover the brand through their mothers or grandmothers,” says Stephanie. “That creates a very special bond – one built on trust, intimacy and time. Our responsibility is to surprise and inspire new generations of women.” Mission accomplished
