Today I’m delighted to feature the work of one of my Californian corsetmaking colleagues: Laurie Tavan. You may recall her from my list of 10 Specialty Corsetieres. Laurie’s synthesis of historical silhouettes with a modern design aesthetic is deliciously unique, and she’s also very well-versed in bespoke fit across a wide range of sizes. How long have you been making corsets and when did you officially launch your brand, then […]
Corsets have an unfortunate reputation as arcane torture devices. Modern stretch shapewear is widely assumed to be both more comfortable and “safer.” But my experience has shown that a well-fit corset is not only supportive, but actually comfortable, rather than constricting. What makes a corset comfortable, or not? Can anybody be comfortable in a corset? The first key is fit. A corset must actually be suited to your body’s underlying […]
The craft of making corsets is a rich niche in the world of fashion: hand-craftsmanship and attention to detail allow for both a uniquely personalized and exquisitely made result. Is making corsets an aesthetic art, a feat of engineering, both, or even something more? The Case for Science Fitting and assembling corsets is a unique skill set. The underlying anatomy of the wearer must be carefully considered, fabric grainlines and […]
The corsetmaking community, in my experience, strives to be very inclusive. In making a product that is both intimate and highly customized, corsetmakers work with not just a full range of body sizes and shapes, but also a diverse array of gender and sexual identities. A corset has the potential to be a powerful garment for a trans woman. A corset’s advantages lie most obviously in its physical effects, by […]
As a corsetmaker, I am thrilled by the wave of prospective waist trainers with whom I’ve been coming into contact. In a marketplace crowded with such a wide array of product offerings, it can be confusing to know which to buy in order to begin waist training. Many of these garments aren’t even functional for occasional wear — the words “suitable for waist training” on a product page are not […]
