Currents

Cathy Watterson Designs Dreamwear
Allure Inside Out

Volume 21
Issue 2
September 15, 2005

Cathy Watterson's dream may well make those of your own nighttime slumbers more memorable. Her passion for fashion began long ago as a child, growing up in Pennsylvania where as a self-taught seamstress she made her own clothes. It was a way, she said, of "having clothes for the money," not to mention being able to express her own creativity.

Life, of course, has a way of happening on its own, with Cathy finally realizing her dream of becoming a fashion designer only very recently, all with the support of her husband David. Before launching into business, however, Cathy enrolled at the Virginia Marti College of Art and Design to learn how to "fine-tune the process from a sketch to a finished garment."

"The training there is outstanding," said Cathy. "The final is to copy a couture design. Now, as an entrepreneur, I don't have time to do the actual sewing of my designs."

Her specialty niche is lingerie, specifically a designer line of sleepwear she's chosen to call Allure Inside Out. The name reflects both the current trend of wearing garments outside that heretofore were reserved for the home or even the boudoir, as well as the allure of a woman's inner psyche. Cathy's decision to create sensual, romantic sleepwear was born of her own frustration of being unable to find such nightwear designed for the more mature woman's body.

"The only things that I could ever find were manstyle pajamas or slinky gowns with spaghetti straps," Cathy said. "I knew that I wasn't the only woman out there searching for more figure-flattering and romantic nightwear."

She also has a mission to dispel the notion that the only romantic night a woman really plans of is that one of her wedding day, or maybe a special anniversary. To sustain romance in your relationship and to feel good about yourself are options that should be available to women of every age, she believes. She did her own market studies, too, among a host of women, with the results right on target with her own conclusions.

"Classy, maybe a little sassy" are words Cathy used to describe her line of about 17 pieces, all designed for comfort while retaining their sensual allure. The line is all silk because it is not only seasonless but also travels well. It's also very durable, too, requiring hand washing of the solid colored garments and recommended dry cleaning of those with color patterns. French seams and finishing, hallmarks, of well-made clothes of any kind, are employed for comfort next to the body. Many of the nightgowns have sleeves that are more flattering to the upper arm and adjustable waistline ties and have matching or coordinating silk robes. There are pajamas, too, that could be worn for casual parties at home or anywhere.

Cathy's Allure Inside Out sleepwear is available online through her Web site, www.AllureInsideOut.com. In a few years as her business becomes profitable, Cathy intends to have a portion of her sales designated to helping avert domestic violence through an appropriate agency.

Think of your own allure, inside and out, and as Cathy said, "When was the last time you had fun getting ready to go to bed?"