I've been ask to make a lingerie box cake similar to the attached link. I think this is my biggest challenge yet and I'm a little lost. Should I start with a 4" tall cake and carve out part of the top layer? And how do you do the lid. I've seen posts of using foamcore for lids, but would that be thick enough? Looks like that one is close to 1" thick or so. Also, how do I get the fondant to hold the " boob" shape on the top of the gown?
Any help or quidance would be appreciated.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cakesdusoleil/2481890446/

I think if you buy a piece of styrofoam that is 3/4" thick by the time you cover it in fondant it will be almost 1 inch thick.As for the bumps.It looks like just icing built up and fondant gently laid to give it a puffy look.HTH

Thanks Kiddiekakes for your help!