Few lingerie brands have captivated me in quite the same way as Merle Noir. Founded in 2016 by Merel Zwart, this Netherlands based label is responsible for some of the most exquisite couture lingerie that I’ve seen in my entire life. And I’ve seen a lot of lingerie. Specializing in bespoke creations for individual clients, Merle Noir’s fine lingerie is created from the finest silks and French laces. The designer […]
Helena Stuart, founder, owner, and designer of Only Hearts, does as much work as you’d expect from a woman who has led a company for almost 40 years. Every hour is filled with effortless flitting between fabric choices, retail delivery dates, cost and margin management, color development and more. There is no visible anxiety or stressed-out vibes here. Helena does it all, and makes it look easy.
Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. It may be a brand new year, but I’m still finding myself reminiscing about last month when Christmas came early for me in the form of a one-on-one interview with the Queen of Burlesque herself: Dita Von Teese. When I got the news of this awesome opportunity I had to pinch myself: “The Queen of Burlesque and me? Face to face?” I couldn’t […]
Today I’m delighted to feature the work of one of my Californian corsetmaking colleagues: Laurie Tavan. You may recall her from my list of 10 Specialty Corsetieres. Laurie’s synthesis of historical silhouettes with a modern design aesthetic is deliciously unique, and she’s also very well-versed in bespoke fit across a wide range of sizes. How long have you been making corsets and when did you officially launch your brand, then […]
Editor’s Note: As of April 2017, it appears Contour Corsets is no longer operational. Launched in 2008, Contour Corsets by Fran Blanche specializes in the creation of expertly fitted tightlacing corsets. We featured her on The Lingerie Addict a few weeks ago while discussing Corset Shopping for Trans Women. Fran’s approach to corsetmaking relies on utilizing modern materials and the application of her engineering background to build anatomically precise corsets […]
