Date: c. 2009
Origin: United Kingdom
Fabric: Silk, lace and cotton
Brand: Sparklewren
The ‘Ruffles & Lace’ line of cinchers were one of the earliest Sparklewren designs. This style of underbust corset was initially intended as a test run to experiment with different types of steel boning and working with different body sizes.
The design incorporated a central corded lace panel framed with contrasting ruffles, silk dupion panelling and graphic exterior bone channels. This particular example has an exceptionally small waist (closing at 16″), so the design features only a single row of ruffles per side, whereas larger sizes within this collection featured a double row.
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.
Kindly loaned by Marianne Faulkner
