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 […]
Note: this garment was an editor purchase. My life as a genderqueer person has been a constant search for garments that are androgynous rather than strictly masculine. I’ve been quoted before on my thoughts about binders: I sometimes want to bind my chest, but I don’t like the medical feel of a lot of binders, as though gender expression is inherently about sickness and unhappiness. So I’m excited that I […]
The craft of making corsets is a rich niche in the world of fashion: hand-craftsmanship and attention to detail allow for both a uniquely personalized and exquisitely made result. Is making corsets an aesthetic art, a feat of engineering, both, or even something more? The Case for Science Fitting and assembling corsets is a unique skill set. The underlying anatomy of the wearer must be carefully considered, fabric grainlines and […]
When I asked the question “where is the lingerie for trans women?” I hadn’t yet heard of Origami Customs. And thank goodness I have: this online retailer designs lingerie and swimwear for a queer and trans audience. I recently had the opportunity to interview Rachel Hill, the designer/owner of Origami Customs. We talked about lingerie design, the trouble with bras, and the importance of heart-based business. You say on your […]
Note: Some images in this article may not be safe for work. I’ve talked lots in the past about how small indie designers are driving innovations in plus size lingerie, so I wanted to take some time over the next few months to spotlight some of the best ones. We’re starting today with RavenDreams, a plus size luxury lingerie business that does everything right as far as I’m concerned. RavenDreams […]
