Where girls just wanna be glam

Rachel Cooper created Boudoir because she couldn’t have one at home. Picture / Carolyn Robertson

Rachel Cooper felt she couldn't really have a boudoir in the privacy of her own home - what with children and all - so she decided to open Boudoir the shop.

"I just wanted a glamorous, girlie shop. It's my dream shop. I wanted to create one of those feel-good places."

To kit out the boudoir, there should be "sparkle, lace, frillies, candles, lingerie and possibly a man".

Naturally enough, the shop's walls are pink, there's a leopard-print stool, a scented candle burning and strains of opera coming from the stereo.

For all your boudoir supplies, this shrine to femininity has it all, starting with the Sydney label Wheels & Doll Baby, of which Cooper is such a fan. The label, started by Melanie Greensmith in the 80s and comes with the motto "how to snare a millionaire", is known for dressing rockers, rock chicks and groupies from Michael Jackson, the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan to Kate Moss, Sadie Frost and Anita Pallenberg.

Most recently, the Australian Sunday Telegraph carried a report of Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee trying to get the Doll Baby assistants' phone numbers as he bought up gear on his black Amex card.

For that rock look, Cooper has stocked up on the label's tight singlets that say things like "Dollbabys love Diamonds", corset-style tops, French-maid-feel dresses and shocking pink tulle skirts.

It seems boudoir appeal is ageless; the other day she sold a Wheels and Doll Baby skirt to a 60-year-old.

Other essential wear is lingerie by Julia Smith as well as Frederick's of Hollywood, and shoes Cooper describes as "naughty but nice". Let's face it, without those Frederick's marabou-trimmed stilettos, a boudoir is just a bedroom.

There's also Sydney bag range Glamourpuss, which has a mock croc bag called the Bacall, a pink pooch carrier and old-style vanity cases named Maggie the Cat after Elizabeth Taylor's character in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Jewellery also figures strongly - there's an abundance of the ultra-pretty Victoria Spring Designs line from Sydney.

To finish the look off and give you something to do while languishing away on a chaise longue, there's the Glamourflage range of toiletries featuring Vargas-style girls on the packaging. Scarlet Divine bath soap, Raunchy Rosie hand cream and Vera Vamp body cream should keep you busy for hours in Boudoir.

* Boudoir is at 144 Manukau Rd, Epsom, ph (09) 520 5722.