The international megabrand that made lingerie a household name and put Angels in suspender belts has made its first foray into the Polish market, opening up two boutiques last summer. Alas, we won’t find the gargantuan boutiques of New York City, filled to the brim with frills and lace, at either location but instead smallish mall-style boutiques devoted to the brand’s ‘Beauty & Accessories’. In other words, sweet-as-candy perfumes, handbags, iPad and iPhone covers, trinkets, gadgets and, of course, a sprinkling of panties.

For any lady (or fellow, for that matter) obsessed with VS’s signature bottoms, the selection may not suffice. I imagine the shop is really just the start of Victoria’s Secret Mission to Poland – a slight tease before we see the real deal crop up. But for a girly-girl, this place is heaven: there is no limit to the scents one can indulge in, and the abundance of pastels is overwhelming. It’s the grown-up version of a candy store and full of delights for women who like to play dress-up while they undress, and for men who love the frilly trappings of underthings. Some things never change.

Victoria’s Secret has made a huge impact on the world of lingerie and sex, bringing the bedroom into the boardroom thanks to the explosive sales of its thongs and million-dollar bras made of diamonds. The flirtatious Angels of the fashion show have become a household name and now Polish households can stock up on their own bits of glint and frivolous glamour via two of Warsaw’s biggest shopping centers. Definitely a great gift idea when you’re at an absolute loss for what to get for Marta or Ania’s imieniny – anything from a pair of lace panties to a Victoria’s Secret keychain. All for a penny that’s as pretty as the Angels themselves. (AL)