Date: begun in 2016, finished in 2019
Origin: United Kingdom
Fabric: Silk cotton satin
Brand: Sparklewren
A historically inspired, midbust corset based on an original early 20th c. pattern. It is made in a silk-cotton blended satin, and uses gored panelling to achieve its curved shape. Each hip gore is hand embroidered with tonal hare motifs, and each bone channel is finished with hand stitched flossing motifs in a contrast beige. The corset is structured with a mix of flat steel bones and synthetic baleen, a contemporary polymer substitute for the original baleen bones used in historical corsetry. The garment has a traditional metal busk opening, and closes at the rear with cotton lacing and metal eyelets. The corset was originally begun c. 2016 in the brand’s Jewellery Quarter showroom and atelier, but was left unfinished. It was finally completed in 2019 by former Sparklewren intern Karolina Laskowska.
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.
From the collection of Karolina Laskowska
