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You’ve heard of The Oscars, The Emmys, The Grammies, even The Razzies… but did you know there’s an awards show for undies?

Of course, only a yokel American would call them “undies!”� To the sophisticated European woman, lingerie is not merely the icing on the cake but the very foundation – nay, the most essential element - of a fabulous, complete wardrobe.

With that in mind, Contours Magazine presented the 2nd Annual Contours International Lingerie Awards (CILA) in the Grand Ballroom of the NYC’s Waldorf Astoria last week.� And of course we were there to oogle!

Participating companies included everyone from Elle Macpherson Intimates to John Galliano to the La Leche League (yes you read that correctly).

Ben Yedder, Publisher of Countours Magazine, dreamed up this high profile and super-glamorous to celebrate and honor creativity and design within the intimate apparel industry.

I was fortunate enough to be seated at the charming Ben’s table during the dinner and spectacular fashion show.� Ben entertained us with his thoughts on the difference between the American lingerie market vs. the European - where, apparently, lingerie is lingerie - not merely something to throw on under your clothes.� � No over-the-shoulder-boulder holders there!

“American women buy their lingerie at Walmart,” he exclaimed.�

The horror!

He also remarked that while lingerie can be about seduction, it’s really about feeling good.� � So true.

Speaking of feeling good, about halfway through the show one of the women at my table sighed, “If I looked like that I’d be naked all the time.”

Yeah - that about sums it up.

Some of the winners this year included Diane Samandi for Jonquil who won for Best Nightwear Glamour and Best Robes, and Souad Selmi who was awarded Best Fashion Couture for her work with John Galliano and Best Coordinate Luxury for Millesia.

A marvelous little tidbit from Yahoo.com:

“‘I thought we had the best shot at winning ‘Best Innovative,’ because what we have done there is come up with a bra specifically for augmented women, and we had a doctor who spent over 10 years getting it to fit perfectly, so I was sort of surprised we didn’t win that one.” said Michael Rabinowitz, founder and CEO of Le Mystere, whose company won “Best Bridal” this year.”

Now we know what to get Tara Reid for Christmas!

I’ll say one thing - after watching the show I came home and burned all my bras.

Click here to see a fabulous video of the show, presented by ZoomZoom.com (and thanks to ZoomZoom for all the images you see here).

- April