Playboy Celebs Attend ILS

LAS VEGAS - Former Hugh Hefner girlfriend and “Girls Next Door” star Bridget Marquardt, donning a sailor costume she designed for Roma Costumes, drew a large crowd to the company’s booth, while aisles away Playboy Playmate Sara Jean Underwood held down the Delicious Sexywear booth.

Marquardt, whose fascination with Halloween was many times documented on the E! reality show, told XBIZ she took a hands-on approach in designing her 17-piece costume collection with Sam Fard, president and head designer of Roma.

“I’ve designed costumes I’ve worn in the past to the Playboy Mansion’s parties, but with this collection there’s a lot of all-new and original outfits,” Marquardt said, “Sam and I worked on every little detail together and it’s that attention to detail and high quality that Roma is known for that made this partnership just right.”

She noted that another highlight of the collection is that several of the outfits include three pieces, one of them being a waist cincher, allowing a wearer options that range from “sexy-cute to very skimpy.”

Alan Breeden, Roma’s national sales manager said Marquardt’s line was first introduced at January’s Halloween & Party Expo tradeshow in Houston and with its wide appeal is now debuting at ILS for specialty retailers.

Delicious Sexywear empowered the Playboy brand with two booths showcasing its line of high-end costumes and a special appearance by Sara Jean Underwood, Playboy’s 2007 Playmate of the Year, who signed autographs for excited fans and posed for photos dressed in a Playboy brand mermaid costume.

“I picked this one to wear because it fits so well,” Underwood told XBIZ, “but really, all of the styles are unique and there’s so many options.”

Patty Gatto, Delicious Sexywear’s national sales manager, told XBIZ that the high-quality collection of Playboy Costumes incorporates trends and styles used in mainstream in its construction, with a special emphasis on embellishments and details.

“The Playboy Costume line is designed to be sexier and appeals to 18 to 30 year olds,” Gatto said. “What we’ve learned about this demographic is their desire to accessorize and these costumes come complete with them.”

Accessories are kept safe in the Playboy Costume branded garment bag that comes with the outfit and includes multiple pockets and a clear front to view all its contents.

Gatto also said Delicious is preparing to roll out a plus-size collection of costumes called Extra Delicious, which will offer the company’s bestselling styles in stretchy, form-fitting designs to accommodate all sizes.