Date: 2017
Origin: United Kingdom
Fabric: Silk/cotton satin
Brand: Sparklewren
This overbust 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 dramatically swooping bustline was inspired by butterfly wings. with the garment name taken from the lush colour of the silk/cotton satin fabric. The garment is structured with spiral and flat steel bones throughout, with unstructured hips formed through gored panelling. It opens with a busk front closure and eyelets and cotton lacing at the rear.
The embellishment incorporates several Sparklewren aesthetic signatures: most notably, the textural ‘Falling Blossoms’ appliqué style, created with three dimensional stitched and hand painted lace motifs, and draped pyrite beading.
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 pattern of this garment can be purchased here.
From the collection of Karolina Laskowska
