Tucked away in a low-key shopping center in Kuwait with sheer drapes covering the window display is Madame Bijouxx, a lingerie boutique that draws the line between sexy and kinky. We talked to Sara Al Abdulkareem, one of the founders of the boudoir-themed boutique, about how she and her partner entered the world of lingerie retail.
“Loving lingerie myself, I knew there wasn’t much variety offered in the Kuwait market. Usually I shopped for lingerie from abroad. So my partner and I found this niche and we thought we should seize it,” Al Abdulkareem commented. “With lingerie being trans-seasonal—with the exception of colors that change depending on the season—women wear it everyday and all year long.”
When they opened the boutique’s doors in early 2014, their approach was to be a one-stop shop for brides-to-be where they could find classy everyday undergarments and sizzling lingerie sets. Today, they cater to women that are looking for not only chic lingerie but also loungewear, accessories, and lifestyle products.
When asked about what makes them stand out from other lingerie brands, Al Abdulkareem explained, “Quality. When you look at some of the mainstream brands, you’ll notice that the details are not handmade, and they use synthetic lace and polyester. I’ve encountered this problem and so have a lot of our customers who said that they can’t find intimates that are durable.”
While walking Style.com/Arabia through the brands that were on display, she pointed out that majority of them were handmade and used natural materials. “For example, we have a Spanish brand called “Marjolaine,” which specializes in beautiful silks. The beauty of silk is that you can wear it in the winter and it warms you up and when you wear it in the summer, it cools you down. You can also wear it as much as you like without worrying about the color fading or losing its sheen and structure.”
The brands at Madame Bijouxx range from the innocent, girl-next-door “Only Hearts,” which specializes in colorful lace bras and cheeky underwear sets, to the sexy line “Lascivious,” which according to Al Abdulkareem “really brings out the best in a woman’s shape. It’s so sexy and any woman wearing these pieces will feel confident.” The brand features high-waist underwear with mesh paneling, cup-less bras with tulle ruffles, and lace halter bodysuits that accentuate and enhances a women’s best assets while concealing her problem areas. Then there’s the “Bracli” original pearl thong. “It’s the ultimate seduction tool.” The lace thong with a single string of pearls, which was made famous on the TV series Sex and the City, is considered to be the most risqué line stocked.
In addition to lingerie, the store carries accessories, like double-sided tape, nipple covers, hosiery, and the bestseller: travel bags. “People absolutely love them. I don’t know what the fascination is but we just can’t keep them on the shelves.”
To keep the privacy level high, the store provides private shopping for individuals as well as couples along with home service, where customers can have a lingerie trunk delivered to their doorstep and purchase items on the spot. Madame Bijouxx plans to also organize bridal showers and host private workshops in line with its intimate theme.
Madame Bijouxx is located at Al Tilal Mall. For more information, contact on +96597663210 or visit the Instagram page @madame_bijouxx.
