New York - March 07, 2006

Dressed for Love and War

Juana de Arco Lingerie

Boys who dress like girls. Girls who dress like boys. Who’s behind it? No, not the kids on Cobrasnake. Go further back.

Like before Boy George and Diane Keaton.

Way back to the 1400s, when the hippest tween in town was Joan of Arc. She rocked unisex centuries before the Scissor Sisters. (But underneath that chain mail she was all woman.)

Likewise, Argentinean label Juana de Arco tips its hat to St. Joan; the new line of underthings works a fine line between tomboy and oh, boy.

Flashy but never brash, Juana quilts quirky fabrics into ruffled bloomers and gussies up French-cut panties with neon bands of lace. Up top, the girliest bras, in pristine pastels, gain muscle from acidic piping. And sporty bandeaus are recklessly dolled up with sequins.

You may find the rainbow collection of camisoles and pj’s are just what you’ve been praying for.

And Juana de Arco may just be your new patron saint of panties.

Available at Destination, 32-36 Little West 12th Street, between Ninth Avenue and Washington Street (212-727-2031 or destinationny.net). To see styles, go to juanadearco.net.