With the events of the Oxford Conference of Corsetry this past weekend, I’ve had corsets on my mind a little more than usual. And I have a hard time thinking about corsets without also thinking of Velda Lauder. For those who are unfamiliar with her name, Velda was a Master Corsetiere who passed away suddenly in March 2013. She was at the peak of her professional career, and her corsets […]
I first heard of Ampere through word of mouth in New York City. Like any time I hear about a new brand, my ears perk up and I want to know more details! I learned more about this contemporary brand through my research online, but gained a greater understanding through meeting the co-founders at one of their signature home parties. Ampere, named after the unit of measurement for electrical current, is […]
Part three in the corset lacing series will discuss the most common mistakes made in lacing the corset onto the body. Part 1 covered the structure and hardware, Part 2 explained the back gap. As I mentioned in my original introduction, fit and comfort are deeply tied into how your corset is laced, but did you know that how you tie yourself up can also make an appreciable difference in […]
That familiar week of frenzied lingerie shopping is back. No, it’s not the Victoria’s Secret Semi Annual Sale; it’s Lingerie Market week in New York. The nexus of the flurry is Curvexpo, which takes place every February and August at New York’s convention center, the Javits Center. Just getting there is a trial and a hoot. The massive Javits Center sprawls on the westernmost avenue of Manhattan, 11th Ave., remote […]
In corsetry, custom, bespoke, and made-to-measure all mean essentially the same thing, just as ready-to-wear, off-the-rack, and made-to-order have similar or overlapping definitions, depending on the maker. Which means they should all follow a similar process, right? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. All too often, I hear sad tales of made-to-measure corsets that don’t fit because an essential step was skipped. Here’s what you should expect when ordering a […]
