Ooh-LA-LA -- Slip Into Bellevue's Boudoir -- Daughter's Chic London Undies Shop Inspires Mom To Open One Here

What draws Seattle together with the artist formerly known as Prince and a trio of young Scottish designers? The answer: a singular mother-daughter business team. One lives in Bellevue, one lives in London. And they share an interest in very special lingerie.

That doesn't mean Frederick's of Hollywood, either. It means European lines (Ci-Dessous and Cadolle from France, Depledge from Britain) otherwise scarce in the United States and London. These frillies can be found in the Boisvert boutiques: mother Jane Boisvert's in Bellevue and daughter Suzanne Boisvert's in London.

The first Boisvert shop was the brainchild of Suzanne. She was a model in Europe and Japan. Then she married Martin Gore, of pop group Depeche Mode, and the duo settled down in London.

After four years of marriage (and the birth of a daughter, Viva), Suzanne felt the itch to start a business of her own. "I always had a thing for French boudoir style. So I decided I would do lingerie with a difference."

Married in a hand-tooled corset of ivory leather, Suzanne already had a special flair for lingerie.

For her shop in London's trendy Covent Garden, Suzanne designed a logo, then hired three designers. They are a team known collectively as Precious McBane and they were friends from a young world of clubs and art schools.

Suzanne gave them key colors: citron and lavender. And, within three months, she had a stunning shop: a rich niche of which resembled something out of a '50s film.

Suzanne's timing turned out to be impeccable. Underwear was turning into hot London clubwear. So, from corsets to rubber, young shoppers were stocking up. They loved the feel of the tiny Boisvert boutique: ruffled lilac moire softening the clothing racks; a chaise and curvaceous counter padded, primped and customized.

Plus, of course, the special Boisvert "corset chair", an elegant satin seat of distinctly female shape. Like much of the merchandise, the corset chair is sexily laced. And it is complemented by a "panty" footstool.

Suzanne's shop one-upped several celebrities. They included Joe Westwood, son of fashion's world-famous doyenne Vivienne Westwood. He followed in Boisvert's footsteps with a shop called Voyeur. But, unlike Boisvert, Westwood's shop treats underwear as kitsch.

Boisvert's look soon attracted both press and celebrities. The artist formerly known as Prince ordered two corset chairs of his own. Every week brought new shoppers: Cher, Simply Red's Mick Hucknall, actor Tim Roth, musician Dave Stewart.

"It's amazing what they buy," says Suzanne. "Both Tim and Dave Stewart bought rubber - for their wives!"

Shortly after the opening of her daughter's boutique, Jane Boisvert started to investigate her own business. With a friend, Myra Morton, she wanted to start an espresso shop. But, as they were starting out to assess potential sites, Jane's kitchen phone rang. It was Suzanne.

Says the younger Boisvert, "I begged them: just try it. Try having lingerie. I really wanted a Boisvert in Seattle." Jane said yes "in about five minutes." Then she and Morton plunged into the world of boudoir fashion.

Once the decision had been made, things became family. Jane found a Bellevue landlord in Valley Furniture, a well-known importer of French antiques. Suzanne sent over plans and photos. Maria Butcher, her London shop manager, came to Seattle where, for three months, she coached the novice partners.

Only one item failed to meet the schedule: Precious McBane's signature corset chair. "We'll get one," says Jane. "But every chair is different. We're still working on exactly what we want."

Boisvert West opened smoothly in November and soon provided the owners with some new acquaintances. Says Morton, "We serve real different groups. There are kids who buy bras to match their tattoos. They want hold-up stockings; they'll wear slips as dresses. Then there's a much more conservative clientele. Mostly Bellevue, mostly in their 40s."

Both, says Jane, are "hungry for style and flair."

But are they hungry for hand-tooled leather tops? You might be surprised, claims Morton. In among the delicates priced up from $40 lurk more expensive one-of-a kind pieces. These range from see-through corsets bursting with ribbons to heavy bustiers built like sculptures.

Those who choose to peruse are treated to careful fittings, home deliveries . . . even occasional free champagne. Weekdays the treat is a free Eastside Latte chocolate from Oh Chocolate, the proprietors' favorite.

Suzanne soon will be helping stock both the stores. She is about to launch a label of her own. Boisvert lingerie, she says, will run the gamut: from bras and panties to camisoles and gowns. Shoppers will find it in Bellevue and in London.

But first, she has another debut to manage: her second child is expected within three weeks. Jane Boisvert plans to celebrate in London. But instead of booties, she'll be buying her corset chair.

Jane admits she is glad she listened to her daughter. "By now we would be so bored with lattes. Whereas this has really made us international. We see Seattle in a wholly different light."

---------------------- WHERE TO FIND BOISVERT ----------------------

In Bellevue, Boisvert is at 10028 Main St.; telephone 451-9266. The London shop is at 51 Neal St., London WC2 England; telephone 011-44-171-836-6431.