My Briar Rose.....and the low!

This year started off with a bang, I got all creative and made this little beauty for a photoshoot:-

Sometime after it was presented online, a potential customer asked if we could discuss custom options (as this piece was made for a very slim model, and also from a limited supply of fabric I would need to upsize and find replacement fabric).........she also wanted to see more unedited pictures? After I provide high res images of the back and front she completely disappeared. Not much longer later give a month or so I spotted this on FB:-

  

Of course I thought to myself holy heck that looks like mine.......as it turns out this is an exact copy from the images I provided this potential customer - because she had flippen taken those images to another corset maker to copy it!!!!! Whats worse is the corset maker was being hit up to take more orders for it????? OMFG really.....when your just above being a starving artist and you see other people making money off your work......you do wonder what the point is!!! I mean really there was no imagination used.....lace up front, vine fabric, lace up straps, colour, and roses across the bustline!! It wasn't inspired - it was just copied!

Here is mine.......next to the imposter:-

I'm really not sure why this upset me so much it happens all the time.....literally, I have had all kinds of things copied (not usually as fast as this incident) , but I guess it was because I was approached first so it was not like the designer was unknown to either the customer or the other corsetmaker  :( 

Anyway I have to believe I have lots more creating to do and hold onto idea I can create something even better, because in the end creativity is it's own master and exist more for the pure joy of expression then just for $$.

Leather Corsetry

I have always been a fan of making corsets from recycled leather, and this piece is no exception.....
As a sample I was trying out another a new 'cut' and worked some of the parts of the jacket into the design. This is another set from my shoot with Michelle as previously mentioned.

Model:- Michelle Alexandra Wistuba.
MUA:- Hello Pretty - Freelance Makeup Artist
Leather Corset:- FORGE
Photography:- Trinitynavar

Super proud of this corset and the photography too......I will be making a few adjustments to my next one 'cut' wise, like an extra panel in the back for example which will add a wee bit more shaping and balance out the seam placements. Hoping to start on my next one soon.....:)

The Threnody in Velvet Shoot with Pendulous Threads UK

I have been lucky enough to do another collaboration with the incredibly stunning Threnody in Velvet, this time featuring a very spiky awesome headpiece from Pendulous Threads UK.

Model:- Threnody In Velvet heart emoticon
Amazing Headpiece:- Pendulous Threads UK
Corset:- FORGE

****Admittedly this almost wasn't, so to actually see it finished and on one of my favorite models feels like an amazing success even if the 'in the making' process was a little rampant! So finally 2016 is really underway, I'm motivated, healthy and excited for all my new projects - stay tuned!!!!

Folklorico La Virgen Series......

As apart of my 'mini' print collections I have finished up these two beauties for my show......

I'm doing my 2014 ready to wear range around some of my favorite print fabrics. As you may have guessed or seen on FB these include the ever popular Michael Miller 'Nevermore' prints and a number of Alexander Henry fabrics (my personal favs) along with a few others. I also have plans to add some of my own exclusive printed fabrics to the ready to wear range latter in the year.The initial style/prints will become available for direct sale in standard sizes from May.

Location, Location....

Ok it's not really so much that I want to shoot in a Cemetery it's just so handy being a hop skip and a jump away with beautiful back drops like this Trompe l'oeil (I think I have a previous blog post about this).....and since I am definitely enjoying my 'amateur' photography excursions more and more it has become the 'go to' location:-

Leah Kate shot in front of Anna's Trompe l'oeil:-

And just in general around the Cemetery:-

'Tails' Corset & Bolero:- Forge Fashion
Model:- Leah Kate
Photography:- Trinitynavar

And as you can see it also makes the perfect back drop for related themes (sometimes I skip the 'Forge' and just play).....

Model:- Cindy K - Model
Photography/MUA/Styling:- Trinitynavar

Something wicked this way comes.....

Another outrageously great set of images from ThrenodyinVelvet featuring her Forge Fashion corset, this time with the additional straps I sent her :)

Model:- Threnody In Velvet
Corset:- Forge Fashion
Headpiece:- Creations by Liv Free
Photography:- Iberian Black Arts

The lovely Ms Gent....

Here is a lovely image from my shoot with my customer and friend Francine Gent featuring her gorgeous new 'Basic Curvy' corset with swing hooks.....

Model:- Francine Gent
Hair:- Style Mystic
Corset:- Forge Fashion
Photography:- Trinitynavar

Threnody In Velvet for Forge Fashion

~SWOON~ This is one of the most exciting things to happen to me as a corset maker.......this  is literally my one of my favourite corset muses actually wearing one of my 'couture range' corsets:-

Model:- Threnody In Velvet

Corset:- Forge Fashion

Headpiece:- Creations by Liv Free

Photography & Editing:- Iberian Black Arts

Basic Curvy - Customer Orders

I've recently completed a couple of  'Basic Curvy' Corsets as apart of a customer order for a dear friend....In this way I have had a real chance to develop and work on this RTW style further, drafting more sizes and trying new variations (so yay after Halloween I should be offering these for direct sale, I've also had a request for PDF patterns for a few items so I'll think about that as well??).

Anyway onto the Basic Curvy numbers:-

BASIC CURVY OVERBUST:-

- Swing Hook Closure

-Waist Tape

- 2 Piece Grommets

- 16 Flat & Spiral Steel

- Ribbon Lacing

- 3 Layer Construction including Coutil Lining 

BASIC CURVY OVERBUST:-

- Extra Wide Busk

- Lace Ovelay

-Waist Tape

- 2 Piece Grommets

- 10 Flat & Spiral Steel

- Ribbon Lacing

- 3 Layer Construction including Coutil Lining 

*** BEST NEWS***

I can now confirm that the amazing and beautiful Threnody In Velvet is lined up for a photo shoot in the Beaded PVC Corset.........absolutely delighted and in complete awe of literally having that dream come true!!

Bell of the Day....

I recently received a gorgeous set of photos from one of my wedding customers and thought I'd share.....

The beautiful Rebecca Gumbley on her Wedding Day....

Corset:- Forge Fashion

Skirt:- Shannon Anderson

Photography:- Jo Moore Photographer

Beautiful Swan...

I managed to take a few photos of the Toile De Jouy overbust (as seen in the previous post) on my lovely friend Ruth this week......and man am I glad I did - we really achieved exactly the look I was after:-

The thing I love about the above image is how striking it is, from her expression to her body position, there is something both beautiful and haunting in this shot......I can  totally imagine a story unfolding  - a little bit 'Black Swan' ballerina.

Model - Ruth 

Accessories & Corset - Forge Fashion

Photography & Editing - Trinitynavar

From the perceptive of the corset......I'm feeling alot more enthusiastic about my 'Basic Curvy' style, and am looking forward to my next lot of samples (some interesting surprises instore).

Toile De Jouy Pt2

Yay I finally finished the other half of my Toile De Jouy set.....this time it's an overbust (made to match the  underbust as already posted here).

The Tulle skirt was fun too, had to add something pretty and fluffy to complete the look....

Hopefully will get to shoot this over the long weekend, fingers crossed :)

PS If you noted the colour discrepancy between the Overbust and Underbust corsets - don't worry it's only because I'm using a different camera (they match perfectly).

Memories....

Model:- Ruth

Plaid Corset:- Forge Fashion

Photography & Editing:- Trinitynavar

Something new from the Underworld....

You may or maynot know this - but I'm quiet well known for making 'Selene' replica corsets, though it's not a great pleasure of mine, I will not complain thanks to this I am able to keep myself in  new supplies from time to time so I can work on my own independent projects (namely samples and experiments). Maybe one day I'll have a wealthy benefactor to support my creative dreamings.......but in the mean time, what ever has to be has to be.

Anyway something wonderful happened recently, I got something new on this repeated theme and was able to create a 'Sonja' replica instead (still from the 'Underworld' franchise just a different character). So some new challenges and trials came into play.....which was hugely enjoyable :)

Instead of continuing to rant here's some pictures:-

I also added x6 garters and a modesty panel - I really loved drafting this corset pattern, I have also decided to try it again in a different fabric because I love how it looks shape wise!!!

Revamping - Plaid Corset

Occasionally there are things that linger around and feel not quiet finished, I try to make a point of pulling out one or two and giving them a tickle up when ever we have school holidays (smaller/easier bites for busier times).

Here's one such project 'Plaid' Basic Curvy, which I made quiet a while back.....I tried it with one of my Steampunk Belts, but never really felt all that convinced or satisfied with it. So since it was just sitting here I decided that would be my new rehash project. 

So my plans were to add a busk and bow and make a skirt to match - creating a sorta sexy secretary look. Now I recently receive a book about making vintage handbags so now I'm also thinking I'd like to add a bag too!

Here's where I'm at so far:-

Here's a before shot:-

 

I've tried it on one of my models and I can honestly say it now looks so much better, plus I get to have a new busk front sample of my Basic Curvy!

18th Century Rehash....

This is actually one of my earlier pieces made in 2004 while I was doing the Carol London corset making class here in Christchurch. After a bit of a freshen up, it's ready to live anew.....

 18th Century Corset

This lovely corset is headed off  to one of my previous models Miss Tempest for an intended photo shoot in Wellington.


OTHER STUFF...
*I have some amateur photography planned for latter this week with model Lady Dread which means I should have some new pics for you next week :)

I am also looking forward to working with some lovely local talent on some fabulous new projects over the coming months (yay for creative collaborating with actual grownups).

The bride came marching in....

A very lovely customer of mine recently got married and wore a custom made Forge outfit for her special day, here are few pics!

Niki with her father

Niki and the happy groom

A back shot

Definitely not your average wedding meringue that's for sure - love the docs!!

Basic Curvy Photoshoot 2

And finally some edited pics from my play date with Ruth, who is looking rather gorgeous in my 'Basic Curvy' style:-

*Also featuring Forge Fashion's Steampunk leather belt.