By 
Note: Some of the beautiful, artistic photos from Le Boudoir that were originally intended for this article have been omitted to comply with online content guidelines.
It’s a sweltering Friday in July. After grabbing a refreshing pistachio matcha from Canyon Coffee in Echo Park and admiring the beautiful people in their stylish outfits, I leisurely stroll past the outdoor seating and storefronts: a neighborhood market; a plant-based, fast-casual eatery; and Le Boudoir. The latter instantly caught my attention with its multicolored, ruffled panties hanging on circular metal hangers.
Inside, owner Clémence kindly welcomed me into her lingerie haven. Vintage erotica was everywhere, from photographs to books and magazines. At the center of the store stood a glossy round table adorned with a gorgeous flower arrangement, an open magazine featuring a photo of Karol G wearing one of Clémence’s designs, more vintage erotica books, and neatly arranged panties. The store also carries a small selection of vintage clothing from Clémence’s friend, as well as pieces from other independent, LA-based, female-owned brands.
We talk about where we’re from and when we moved to LA, which wasn’t too far apart. “Still single as f**k,” Clémence says. A blonde model walks through the door. For a second, I think she’s Kate Bosworth. Clémence asks her about her date with a guy from Hinge who kept putting off the date at the last minute. Then it turns into a round of sharing our dating woes in LA.
Born and raised in Bordeaux, south of France, Clémence Parienté Lorenzetti moved to Los Angeles from Paris nine years ago to study marketing and journalism at UCLA. Then, she got a job at the prestigious publishing company Taschen, where she assisted the company’s founder, Benedikt Taschen. During the pandemic, she was laid off.
Paris is one of the world’s leading capitals for lingerie and underwear, and Clémence couldn’t find anything in LA that matched the quality and design she was used to finding there. It was a no-brainer.
Opened in 2022 on Echo Park Avenue, Le Boudoir has become a magnet for LA’s It girls. Familiar faces have also been drawn to Clémence’s thoughtfully designed panties, including models like Iris Law, internet personalities like Emma Chamberlain, and singers like Addison Rae, Karol G, and Lorde. Even Adéla, whose smash hit “Nicole Kidman” has been playing everywhere, follows Le Boudoir on Instagram.
But don’t let the celebrity and It-girl appeal intimidate you. Clémence’s warm hospitality and personalized attention are at the core of Le Boudoir.
That Friday in July, although I didn’t buy anything, I was able to experience the magic of Le Boudoir. Talking to Clémence and commiserating with a model I’d just met. It’s no wonder publications that have written about Le Boudoir refer to it as a place for hanging out and chatting.
Boudoirs emerged in 18th-century France and served as safe and intimate spaces where women could retreat, relax and escape the humdrum of everyday life. Over time, boudoirs became associated with clandestine romantic encounters and erotic photography. Today, they symbolize freedom, femininity, and sensuality. The essence of boudoirs is conveyed beautifully in the store.
The eye-catching panties are handmade in a factory in Boyle Heights. Clémence sources both deadstock and archival fabrics. The designs rotate, which helps keep things new and fresh. On Instagram stories, it’s common to see girls trying on the colorful, ruffled panties in the fitting room, also known as the Red Room, which features a life-sized Queen of Hearts and a red-carpeted floor. The website, with girls sporting the gorgeous tangas in different prints, feels like a slumber party you can’t help but want to be part of.
On a smaller scale, Le Boudoir also carries swimwear, including a limited-edition magenta bikini, designed in collaboration with the dating app Feeld. Launched in the summer of 2026, the bikini was even shared on Instagram by Addison Rae.
I came back after my summer trip and picked up a pink gingham cotton tanga called La Brigitte. Since I’m used to wearing synthetic underwear, I felt the fabric much more against my skin. But after three minutes, I completely forgot I had it on. Besides the cute design, the underwear is made for everyday comfort. Unlike regular tangas, Le Boudoir’s cotton tanga didn’t make me feel like I had a wedgie.
The breathable cotton fabric, delicate stitched trim that stretched with my body, and cheeky cut provided just the right amount of coverage without making me feel like I had a string between my cheeks. Rather than digging into my skin, the picot elastic gently hugged my hips and buttocks, adapting to the contours of my body.
Not only was it flattering, but I didn’t want to take it off! In fact, I loved it so much that I have my eye on the next drop and can’t wait to get my hands on more of Le Boudoir’s panties.
At the store, don’t be shy about asking Clémence if you want to try anything on! She also does pop-up collaborations with other brands, which she announces on Le Boudoir’s Instagram.
In this interview, Clémence and I sat down to talk about the cultural differences in lingerie between France and the U.S., the backstory of Le Boudoir, and her favorite places in LA!
When Americans think of lingerie, they often think of the male gaze and supermodels. It’s like this unattainable ideal of beauty. What do you hope to accomplish with Le Boudoir?
Clémence: I think that the lines are more blurred in France. There’s no difference between lingerie and underwear. When I opened the store, I loved the idea of one place where you could find a whole spectrum. I was carrying white cotton underwear as much as vintage leather pieces, or bras from French designers, or indie, local LA designers. I like the idea of one place where you could find all types of sexy and femininity. As long as you’re comfortable in your skin, that’s all that matters, and there’s a different version of that for everyone.
Le Boudoir goes beyond selling cute panties. It’s about creating an experience from the moment people walk through the door. Why was it important for you to curate Le Boudoir this way?
Clémence: When I moved to LA, I was looking for community. That was at the center of opening the store. Having a space for my friends to come and hang out, try stuff on, have a coffee, smoke a cigarette outside. Even if it’s just to sit and look at the books or the magazines. A gathering place where you can tell your friends, “I’m at Le Boudoir. Come meet me there.” It opened up the path for more conversations. That’s how you build a safe space. The sales, the product, and everything else comes organically from that. Instead of creating a space around the product, I created it around the experience.
The art, books, everything comes from my house. You make it feel homey by bringing authenticity to it.
Is there anything about American women that surprised you in terms of how they approach femininity, lingerie, or how they feel sexy?
Clémence: There are definitely different cultural things. This happens less and less, but I still have women asking me if I have nipple covers, which is something I never even thought about. Here it’s more of a thing. I love push-up bras, but I have a lot of bras that are not padded. I just think it looks better. So my curation tends to not have a lot of padded bras, but I’m having more demand so maybe I’ll add them eventually.
Being sexy in France is a little different than being sexy here. French women are a bit more low-maintenance. Living in the States for nine years, I do my nails, my hair… things that are less automatic in France. I like those things, but it takes more time. Here is more of an event.
I think sexiness is less performative in France. It’s more about an experience rather than a look. For me, it’s about taking time. Just like in France, you usually don’t take a coffee to go. You sit and you enjoy it. It’s an experience. Feeling sexy can be as simple as wearing a men’s shirt. Here, there’s this idea that sexy has to be the full push-up bra, the girdle, the stockings…. It’s not always like this of course, but if we’re going by clichés, it’s more of a cliché here versus in France.
It’s like the French-girl makeup trend that took over here a few years ago.
Clémence: Yes, exactly, like you should not see it. In France, you put a lot but it has to look like you put nothing on.
The prints and colors are gorgeous. Where do you draw inspiration from when creating them?
Clémence: At the moment, I’m only using deadstock fabric, but I’ll use more replicable fabric because I was facing challenges as I’m trying to scale up the business. For wholesale and to distribute to other stores, it’s difficult to use deadstock because you don’t know how many units you’re going to get out of a roll. In France we call it “sleeping inventory”.
In terms of prints and fabric, it goes as I’m sourcing. Sometimes I’ll see something inspiring, watch a movie and love the overall vibe. Or maybe it’s going for a walk, looking at a flower and loving the color combination. I wish I was more organized but because I have so little time, I feel like my collections are me: chaotic and all over the place. I think it will come at the right time.
You were laid off during the pandemic. How was the transition from working for Taschen to doing this full-time?
Clémence: I don’t think it was much different. During the day, I worked from a house for the sales and marketing team, and the other half I assisted Benedikt. I was still multitasking, which prepared me for this. Like running errands for an upcoming book, going to a trade show, or organizing an event. It was very similar in terms of organization and time-management.
Vintage erotica permeates the store. Have you gotten any reactions since you opened the store?
Clémence: In the four or five years I’ve had the store, maybe two or three people have been like, “Oh, that’s interesting.” But mostly, people think it’s cool. They sit and look at the books. Honestly, most people ask me if I sell them but because they’re from my personal collection, I don’t want to.
Also, before the store opened, there was already another woman-owned bookstore, so I didn’t want to compete with her. Maybe down the line I will but not for now. But yes, mostly, everyone loves this. Some people are like, “My grandpa used to have those,” “I have this one too,” or “I love the Taschen books.” Everyone has some relatable stories around it.
Why did you choose to open the store in Echo Park?
Clémence: I live like a block away and I also looked at other different places. Canyon Coffee was about to open and I thought it would be a cute addition to the neighborhood. I also like the European vibe to it. You can walk, grab a coffee, read a book, hang out with your friends. Everything is so spread out in LA, and this feels like a little village.
What do you like the most about living in LA?
Clémence: I like the proximity to nature. I like being able to walk my dog in the morning and being able to escape and go to the beach or the mountains. I used to ride motorcycles and loved going up the 395 to Sierra Madre or going in the desert and camping in Alabama Hills. Yeah, that’s what I love the most about LA.
Favorite places in LA
Clémence: I love Cafe Tondo for a drink. I love going to the Rose Bowl Flea Market to thrift. Los Cinco Puntos in Boyle Heights for tacos because my factory is there. Gold Room for a drink. I love going to the Hugh Spa and the Korean barbecue that’s right below, Wi Korean BBQ. That’s my favorite girl’s night. I go to Bar Seco a lot. Taco Tijuanero recently opened down the street and it’s so good. Also, the taco stand at the corner of Sunset and Echo Park Ave is really good.
To be honest, I don’t eat out a lot. I cook a lot at home and when I eat out it’s very simple. On my day off, I’ll stop at Los Cinco Puntos and grab a coffee around there, but unless I have a date, I don’t go out to restaurants that much. I hike in Elysian Park every morning and I also like to go to Altadena.
What are your favorite panties that you’ve created for Le Boudoir so far?
Clémence: It was the black silk. I’m very simple in terms of taste.
Favorite piece of lingerie in your closet?
Clémence: A black silk garter belt. I like a super simple black silk full set. I like my French cotton tangas and any type of gingham, but if you’re asking me about a full set, it’s black silk.
What are the future plans for Le Boudoir?
Clémence: For now, the future plan is to scale up the business so that I’m able to distribute in more places and eventually, maybe lower the cost.
Le Boudoir
Address: 1555 Echo Park Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026
