Written by Meghan O'Reilly

This past Sunday, the leading lingerie and beachwear magazine in North America, Best of Intima, unveiled the winners of its sixth annual Best Shop Awards. Known as the Oscars for undergarments, the Best Shop Awards honor sophisticated, independent boutiques for their lavish lingerie displays and charming storefront presentations. With that said, it should come as no surprise that New York City’s very own Sugar Cookies received a nomination and win for “Best Personal Touch.”

The description under the “Best Personal Touch” category constitutes the boutique owner’s unique tastes—whether orderly or exaggerated, vintage or avant-garde—the store must eminently reflect those who manage it. When it comes to the individual taste displayed at Sugar Cookies, shoppers get two for the price of one (pun intended). Owners Susanne Alvarado and Corrie Broderick share little aside from their reliant friendship and passion for precious intimates—after all, the “odd couple of lingerie” have both contrasting styles and body shapes. Petites and girly-girls are drawn to Corrie’s selection of subdued, silk camisoles, patterned, low-rise boy shorts and lacy, ruffled embroidery--structured to enhance even minimalist curves. Meanwhile, Susanne hand-picks garments for the edgier and bustier—sheer, mesh g-strings and bedazzled, Gaga-inspired cups, paired with satin, halter baby dolls for a sexy-yet-flattering silhouette.

Out of the five different Award Categories established by Best of Intima's editorial team (including Concept Store, European Flair, Reference Pick and BOI’s Choice), the “Personal Touch” award yields the most similarities to one of the Academy’s most anticipated honors—Best Director. Directors depict a story to the audience through creative sequence and plot development; boutique owners reveal a designer’s vision to cliental through the atmosphere of their shop. Scorsese facilitated his viewers to sympathize with the hopelessly detached Travis Bickie. Peter Jackson created a world where hobbits could ride on the branches of walking trees. Corrie and Susanne communicate through a medium of delicate garter slips and chiffon chemises, neatly sprinkled amongst an ultra feminine décor and crisp, white interior.

Each of the nominees will be featured as one of the top lingerie stores nationwide and thus receive a golden label within Best of Intima's upcoming edition. Lucky winners like Sugar Cookies will be awarded a hand-made multicolored glass sculpture, custom-designed from the Italian mosaic capital of Ravenna. What does a bald, gold statue have compared to an atypical work of l’arte Italiana anyway? Yeah, De Niro--I'm talkin' to you.