Date: 2018
Origin: United Kingdom
Fabric: Silk/cotton satin
Brand: Sparklewren
This midbust corset is a late Sparklewren creation, and was one of the final corsets created under the brand name before it finally closed its doors. The garment base was stitched in the showroom prior to closure, with the embellishment completed in the designer’s home.
The garment is created from a silk/cotton satin, with the gored hip panel pattern inspired by early 20th c. corsetry. It is heavily structured with a mix of flat and spiral steel bones, and is fastened at the rear with cotton lacing through metal eyelets. Italian leavers lace appliqué is hand stitched at the front of the garment and is further embellished with embroidered black stars and enamelled metal star motifs. Intricate flossing embroidery is applied to the bone channels at the hips, reminiscent of the functional embroidery style seen in extant late 19th c. and early 20th c. corsetry.
Jenni Hampshire began creating corsets under the moniker ‘Sparklewren’ in 2009. The designer’s background in Fine Art has resulted in a body of work akin to wearable sculpture. Historically inspired silhouettes and construction techniques are paired with lush, opulent embellishment and couture construction techniques. The brand specialised in one-of-a-kind heirloom garments, with each garment taking weeks of carefully considered embellishment and craftsmanship.
A similar pattern to this garment can be purchased here.
From the collection of Karolina Laskowska
