Date: c. 2012
Origin: United Kingdom
Fabric: Silk, lace and cotton
Brand: Sparklewren
An underbust corset with dramatic curves and a dipped sweetheart topline, originally a bespoke creation for corsetiere Lucy Emke. The outer raw silk fabric is intricately embellished with symmetrically placed, antique chantilly lace appliqué, entirely stitched by hand. This is further highlighted with jet Swarovski crystals throughout the lace and body of the corset.
The garment is heavily structured in the ‘fully boned’ style (with vertical bone channels stitched through the entirety of the waistline), with a mix of flat and spiral steel bones. It opens with a wide steel busk at the front, and fastens at the rear with cotton lacing and metal eyelets.
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 specialises in one-of-a-kind heirloom garments, with each garment taking weeks of carefully considered embellishment and craftsmanship.
From the collection of Karolina Laskowska
