Date: c. 2011
Origin: United Kingdom
Fabric: Silk, cotton and lace
Brand: Sparklewren
A gently shaped sweetheart overbust corset in silk taffeta outer with a cotton lining. It is continuously boned throughout the waistline with a mix of flat and spiral steels, giving the piece a highly structured appearance. It is embellished with a fine lace overlay at the bustline, with the scalloped edge of the chantilly lace delicately hand stitched in place. The garment fastens with a gold toned busk at the centre front, and gold toned eyelets with cotton lacing at the centre back. Although this is a relatively early Sparklewren design, it had already incorporated the brand’s signature lace appliqué embellishment technique.
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
