La Perla Lingerie & Underwear

Curated by Journelle

La Perla was founded in 1954 in Bologna by Ada Masotti, a corsetiere whose first atelier turned out lingerie one hand-finished piece at a time. The label has spent seventy years building its reputation on that same approach — jacquard lace produced on heritage looms, hand-applied embroidery, finishings tailored more like couture than ready-to-wear. La Perla remains one of the few houses where the work of producing lingerie is still treated as a craft passed between generations.

The aesthetic favours architecture: structured cups, precise band construction, lace and tulle treated as fabric rather than ornament. La Perla makes everyday styles, statement bridal, formal-occasion, and shapewear — all under the same exacting construction standard. Sizing follows Italian cut, which tends to run smaller in band than American brands and proportional through the cup.

From the fitting room: La Perla's underwires are positioned slightly higher and wider than most American brands — if you find typical underwires dig under the arm, the cut here often resolves it. The bands run snug; we recommend trying your usual band size first and sizing up only if there's pressure across the back. Pieces hold their shape over many years of wear, which is part of what justifies the price.