Sarah, our incredibly talented trend expert, sets the vision for Soma’s seasonal collections. Today, she’s letting us in on her inspiration behind the fall 2010 collection.

Q: How far in advance do you begin working on the Soma collection before it’s available in boutiques and online?

A: I begin my research about a year and a half before a collection appears in Soma boutiques. I go to Europe – Paris, Milan and London – to see and touch new fabrics, view the latest in prints and colors and shop the designer boutiques, which typically show trends about a year in advance of the United States. I also visit trend and fabric fairs, vintage shops and flea markets, and pour over images from the designer runway shows. I then bring photos, fabrics and ideas back to the Soma design team who translate the trends into beautiful lingerie and apparel, all featuring the Soma Touch.

Q: What was your inspiration behind the fall collection?

A: Believe it or not, I was inspired by the multi-faceted and fascinating concept of 3D technology. I remembered back to the original 3D glasses of the 1980’s and how futuristic we all felt; this inspired many of the prints in the collection which mix texture and dimension through a print technique called digital printing. One of my favorites is the Digital Print Satin Robe, a gorgeous abstract print that’s very modern and almost looks pixilated.

Q: What is the one Soma item for fall that you can’t wait to rush out and buy?

A: The Desiree Demi! This bra is really about wearable seduction. It’s comfortable day to night, but has that sultry, feminine edge that women are looking for these days.

Dear Jessica,
I love the pretty, sexy look of a demi bra but I’m a D-cup. Can I wear a demi?
Sincerely, Jan G.

Dear Jan,

YES!! But just make sure you’re wearing the right size. Any bra, no matter what the style, will not look or feel right if you’re wearing the wrong size. For women with rounded, fuller D-cups, a demi bra is perfect if you want lift and support but not a lot of bra.

If your breasts are less dense at the top, and fuller at the bottom, a demi could actually fit you best since it covers the fullest part of your bust, the bottom two-thirds. Check out Soma’s demi bras here.

If you’re wearing a t-shirt or a clingy top, I’d opt for a fuller coverage bra, like Allura, so you don’t see the outline of the bra through your clothing.

Dear Jessica,
I’ve been a 34B for 20 years, but I just bought a new bra and it feels tight. Is it possible that my size has changed?
Thanks! Elaine R.

Dear Elaine,
80% of women are wearing the wrong bra! This means that without a professional bra fitting at least once a year, there’s a good chance that you’re wearing the wrong size or the wrong style bra.

On average, our bra size will change SIX times over our lifetime. Wearing a bra that properly fits and is the right style for your body as well as an outfit will make you look and FEEL better! The good news is that Soma offers free bra fittings in our boutiques as well as live chat with a fit stylist and a helpful bra fit tool on Soma.com.