• by Sarah Mahoney  @mahoney_sarah, August 1, 2007

Stella McCartney is teaming up with Bendon, the New Zealand-based intimates company that also markets Elle Macpherson's underwear lines, for a new line of high-end lingerie.

The collection will be available in January and sold in such U.S. stores as Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks. The companies announced that "the collection will have an emphasis on naturally sexy, confident and modern designs," using silks, organic cottons and georgette silk chiffons in vintage pink, cream, blue and pearl grey.

There's been plenty of new-product launches in the lower end of the category this year, including J.C. Penney's private label Ambrielle, Kohl's private label Moments, and Kohl's daisy fuentes and Simply Vera Vera Wang. But Stella McCartney will reportedly come in at much higher price points--just below the Italian La Perla, which leads the ooh-la-la market. Its bras can cost $250, while panties can go as high as $120, and are sold in the same upscale department stores, as well as boutiques.

In the 12-month period between April 2006 and March 2007, according to NPD Group, American women spent $10.8 billion on lingerie--a 10.6% increase, with bra sales gaining 11.6% and panties up 4.9%.

Stella McCartney is part of the Gucci Group. Bendon also sells Elle Macpherson Intimates, Macpherson Men, Bendon Lingerie, Bendon Sport, Hey Sister, Fayreform and Bendon Man.