My passion for corsetry came along after reaching a crossroad. Once graduating from my fashion studies, I really didn't know which direction I wanted to go as there was just way too much choice, far too many options and I enjoyed everything about the industry. I was never really a fashion victim as such but I've always had a real appreciation for designer clothing and following my own lead, almost as if it was something I was just meant to do naturally. I loved working for other fashion houses as it was like being in a candy store as there was so much going on and so much to learn, the buzz it created seeing luxurious fabrics and beautiful sketches all come to life was me me me all over!!!
I didn't want to be stuck in a company working long unsociable hours, aiming towards two collections each season for London Fashion Week, or going through the pressure of delivering a fabulous collection every time but it really was the place to be seen and you really do have to have real passion for such a profession. I began my first experience fresh out of school way before I had any real knowledge of the fashion industry, but the experience I received, showed the real deal and all the hard work and commitment involved. I was often discouraged by my school and career adviser to pursue a career in fashion as it was considered a difficult career to pursue so therefore I could never really find the information I needed at the time to get into the business until my art teacher sent me off to do a weekend course at my local college which then turned into a full time course the following year and I then once completed, ventured off on my own contacting designers. I knew at that point what I needed to do and embarked on an interesting journey from there.
So considering that I didn't want to focus on a typical fashion environment, I instead wanted a bit more variety to experience working among other fields and other industries so I could get out and see more. For me corsetry came about by accident. I touched on it slightly at University but never really got into it until long after graduating, once building up enough experience to then focus on my own Fashion Label. Corsetry was always in the back of my mind, and of all the things I learnt about and researched regarding fashion, corsetry kept creeping back into the equation. So one day I began to take it more seriously and it made perfect sense to focus on it totally. Corsetry really is such an exquisite piece of craftsmanship.
What grabs me is the beautiful structure, the construction and the detail of each piece. The ribcage like shell boned throughout to create this perfect masterpiece. We sure missed out on that part of the century, but then again the health issues back then was pretty bad during the period when woman had to wear them. I do prefer having a choice as oppose to having none. But for everything I have ever learnt regarding fashion the corset is still my favourite item of clothing. So this is something I decided to incorporate into my fashion label as the core base of my collection
