Aimer Bra, Panty and Me!

The West has Triumph and Japan has Wacoal. As for China, it is Aimer, a relatively young brand that is already covering the private parts of millions of Chinese women!

This bra of pure 24k gold and embellished with gems costs RM 1.5 million but surely your body is worth it?

The gold chains ensure this should keep your assets in place.

The RM 3 million bra with rubies and diamonds!

This is how it looks like on you.

This floral bra is RM 2 million and is bound to make you bloom.

Note the delicate details.

The star bra is this bustier worn by Gong Li in the blockbuster Curse of the Golden Flower released in 2006. This wearable work of art is no 'supporting' role but certainly was the main lead!

Truly worthy of an empress!

Some of my superstitious friends claim the glass showcases resemble coffins!

Then again, these bras are to die for...

The big and the small...Believe it or not, these bras are in production as some women are just more loaded than others!

Me in my tiger suit which perfectly matches the rhino on the mantlepiece! Taken in Aimer's headquarters in Beijing.

Big boss and founder of Aimer, Mr Zhang Rhong Ming went to the trouble to show images of Petronas Twin Towers to welcome his friends from Malaysia!

Founded in 1993 by Zhang Rhong Ming who decided to enter the lingerie business after discovering a flexible metal that could support the bra cups in ingenious ways, Aimer is now synonymous with underwear in China.

After inventing the super elastic memory alloy, he originally wanted to sell his patented discovery and found no buyers! “I was shocked and so annoyed as I thought I had created something wonderful. But no bra manufacturer thought it was worth much so I decided the only option left was to enter the bra business myself!” grins the affable and charming Zhang Rhong Ming in his luxurious headquarters in Beijing where he greeted me warmly. He gave me a present. No, not bra and panty but men’s pyjamas as there is now Aimer Men and even Aimer Kids!

Ironically the name ‘Aimer’ which sounds so Chinese is actually derived from French meaning ‘love and favour’. Well, ‘Aimer’ sounds great in whatever language! It is flowery and short enough to remember and more importantly, pronounce. It is nearly impossible to mispronounce as the ‘r’ that is supposed to tongue-twist the Chinese is at the back and inaudible when spoken out loud.

Business boomed from the start and uplifted (pardon the pun) the morale of founder and president Zhang Rhong Ming that he opened a Lingerie Museum in 2008 to celebrate Aimer’s 15^th anniversary. The Lingerie Museum is conveniently located inside Aimer’s headquarters in Beijing where there is even a private Aimer Club for VIPs, friends and buyers which is as posh and swanky as any private club. Clients and favoured buddies get to dine, wine or play the grand piano under the rows of chandeliers. Various dining rooms ensure you can party in private.

The museum showcases the history of women’s undergarments from olden days to modern bras by Aimer which are displayed in glass showcases that according to my superstitious friend in Kuala Lumpur who saw my photos, resembled coffins! Well, these bras are to die for, especially the solid gold and platinum bras encrusted with diamonds, rubies and sapphires! The golden bras cost around RM 1.5 million while the platinum version is a jaw-dropping RM 3 million but while your mouth may drop, your chest will be lifted like never before! I was told these metallic bras are a pleasure to wear and not at all cold and clammy as I expected but since I did not try wearing them I must take their word for it.

There are 3 such bras but even more precious in term of provenance is the bustier worn by Gong Li in the blockbuster Curse of Golden Flower. It is displayed prominently in its own room with a large photograph of Gong Li wearing it next to her husband the Emperor (played by Chow Yun Fatt) with the cast just so you know this bustier once adorned the cleavage of Gong Li!

Indeed this piece of female weaponry inspired the setting up of the Lingerie Museum!