RUNA: UNDERBUST CORSET WASPIE

Over the last couple of weeks I have been developing several new pattern variations on the short waspie style corset belt.

I love the versatility of these garments. Not only are they fantastic for those with a short torso but they are easy to wear and style. They make a great addition to any lingerie set or could be used to layer over an outfit as a cincher belt.

The RUNA style was based on an older pattern I dug of my archive (as recognised on the Poppy and Zinnia styles.) I dropped the centre front for a heart shaped waist line and replaced the busk for a shorter 9cm length.

The sample is made from a combination of satin coutil and sheer mesh and decorated with hand cut couture lace applique with bead/stud embellishment also seen in the Ziva harness.

As with all the samples, this style can be customised and the corset can be made using your choice of colour and fabric.

A waist tape can be added to the style. I omitted it from this sample to not distract from the lace.

The sample is sized at a 23″ waist so suitable for someone with a natural waist between 27/28″ and can be purchased here.

The Runa corset can also be made to order to your measurements here.

VOLUSPA: BUSKLESS UNDERBUST CORSET WASPIE

The VOLUSPA pattern was inspired by the cut of the riding/sports corsets C1900, short in length and finishing high over the hip.

The corset is constructed from 13 panels and measures a 20″ corset waist. I chose to make this sample buskless using a single centre front panel to hold 6 flat steels in stitched channels to compress to the stomach. The corset features a further 16 bones; a combination of flexi spiral steels and flat steels either side of the eyelets. I chose a slate grey silk backed with coutil and constructed the corset with external bone casings of the same silk.

The corset was decorated with hand cut couture embellished lace applique with conical stud detail.

The corset sample is available to purchase from the Etsy store and the style can also be made to order plain or decorated from our shop.

ALTERNATIVE SIN CATWALK EVENT: FASHION SHOW AT ‘THE STATION’ BRISTOL

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone and welcome to 2018! Twilight Siren kicked off the year last weekend with their first fashion show ‘The Alternative Sin Catwalk’  held at ‘The Station’ in Bristol. The event showcased lots of independent alternative brands from all over the UK.

Twilight Siren provided a collection of 4 outfits for the show – some of our favourite harness pieces all available to buy from our web store. Every piece is made to size order so Twilight Siren takes pride in being able to cater for everyone!

Hope you enjoy some of the photos from the event. I had a wonderful day meeting lots of creatives; designers, models, photographers alike. Hopefully this is the first of many events for the brand in 2018.

Back stage- Pentagram full body harness lingerie – Twilight Siren worn by Olivia Livewire- Photo Frankinsella

Find the Pentagram full body harness here

Catwalk- Pentagram full body harness lingerie – Twilight Siren worn by Olivia Livewire- Photo Frankinsella

Catwalk- MIMI lace playsuit harness lingerie – Twilight Siren worn by Ov-Ania – Photo Frankinsella

Find the Mimi Playsuit harness here

THE GODDESS COLLECTION PART 1

A little while I shot a series of images with Grace Elkin Photography and I’m delighted to finally share some of results with you including part of the ‘Goddess Collection’: a capsule collection of corsets. 

FREYA (the Nordic goddess of  love, beauty, fertility) is the first corset in the collection. More on the inspiration and construction can be found here.  Teamed with the limited purple ASTA body and leg harness SET.

OSTARA (The Nordic Spring Goddess) is the second corset in the collection based on a vintage 1940’s pattern from my personal collection. More on the inspiration and construction can be found here. 

Teamed with the limited KISA harness in a matching purple elastic with gold hardware

CREDITS

PHOTOGRAPHY: GRACE ELKI PHOTOGRAPHY 

MODEL: KIM SMALLWOOD
All the items can be found in our online shop. 

Im so pleased with the outcome. More images to share soon from this shoot! 

VELLAMO: ‘THE GODDESS COLLECTION’

This week I have finished off the third corset in ‘The Goddess Collection’

VELLAMO is the goddess associated with water, lakes and seas in Finnish mythology.

I developed the corset as a move on from my 14 panel underbust pattern used for the Freya corset. I wanted to create a slightly longer corset bringing the sides down level with the top hip and creating a wave like effect with the lower edge. I made a slightly bigger waist reduction bringing the corset to finish 19″ fully closed.

From the initial toile of the pattern I decided to raise the side upper level by 0cm at the centre front to 1cm at the side to 1.5cm at the centre back. I also dropped the side front lower edge of the corset by 1cm to 0cm at the centre front creating a softer curve. I dropped the side and centre back by 1.5cm to cover slightly more of the hip.

I chose a lilac shot with turquoise silk taffeta backed with coutil for the final corset. I chose to use gold features with the busk and eyelets at the back. The corset was finished with the purple metallic thread lace applique in keeping with the Freya corset.

Just before adding the binding to the upper edge I cut down the centre front upper edge by approximately 1cm to give a smoother curve.

The VELLAMO corset can be made to order here. Customise the fabric choice and choose between plain and lace decorated finish.

FREYA: ‘THE GODDESS COLLECTION’

Over the last few weeks I have finished off several new corsets but have not had the chance to document them yet. Hopefully over the next few days I’ll get the time to catch up with some writing and share my recent works.

FREYA is the first corset in a mini series captioned the ‘Goddess  Collection’. 

Freya is the Norse Goddess associated with love, beauty, fertility, war, wealth, divination and magic. Her name derives from the ancient Norse word for lady of Mistress

 The pattern was taken from a previous customer order and measures 20″ waist. It was constructed from 14 panels of silk backed with coutil. 
The corset features a silver busk and eyelets for lacing. It is decorated with hand cut metallic lace embroidery, appliqued to the front panels and finished with bead and sequin embellishment.

Flat lay of the corset before embellishment

The Freya corset on the mannequin before embellishment

Hand cut metallic lace from an all over mesh fabric

Spent a lovely Sunday afternoon hand sewing the lace kept company by my cat Torstein

Flat lay of the corset with lace embellishment

Trying on the Freya corset for fit

The Freya corset can be made to order from the Etsy store. 

Just before writing this article, the corset was used for a photoshoot. I can’t wait to share the images with you in a later article.

PATENT CHALLENGE: 1878 H. S. STRAUSS

Over the last couple of weeks I have been on off working on a new corset  and article based upon a historical patent from 1878. The patent can be found here.

Following the patent instructions the corset was made from a double layer of fabric for the centre front, front, side front and back panels that would sandwich a series of bones . The side panels were cut from a single layer. I chose a spot broche fabric for its strength and durability.

The corset is heavily boned with 50 in total and over 8 metres of boning used. There is a curious additional bone pocket panel stitched to the exterior of the corset- a totally new technique and unique to the patent- I think this is what initially caught my eye and intrigued me to investigate when I was deciding on what my new challenge would be.

Here are a few  photos from the project thus far.

Double flexi steel bones used in wider external casings

Interesting bone pocket- additional panel applied to the exterior of the garment

Bone pocket pinned in place

Rows of stitching to create bone channels in the pocket

Top and bottom edge bound in silk- handstitched in place

Hand cut lace applique pinned in place

I think I’m going to add some Swarovski crystals on top of the lace to add a little Sparkle. I’ll keep you updated!

INTO THE WOODS: BEHIND THE SCENES

Over the weekend I had the pleasure to collaborate with some of my favourite creatives shooting a few of the one off harness designs currently available in the Etsy store. 

We were a little unsure on how the weather would play out for the afternoon so decided to shoot a couple of sets indoors before heading out to Swithland Woods (Leicestershire).

The weather held out for us thankfully- just a little chilly!! But we were able to get a few sets using some of the delicate lace harness styles with the woodland backdrop for a whimsical faerie like aesthetic. 

I’m really excited to see the outcome from the shoot and share the images with you all.

Credits:

MODEL: Bex Fisher Facebook

PHOTOGRAPHY: (Monika) of MoniaPhoto Facebook

All harnesses by TWILIGHT SIREN and can be found in the Etsy shop

Head pieces by Sparkle Kitten shop

BEHIND THE SCENES

The other week I got together with my dear friend and photographer Grace to shoot some product shots for the Etsy shop and upcoming website.

Here are a few behind the scenes shots of some of the styles we photographed. All the styles seen are already available to buy from the store. Every item is made to size order using high quality satin finish elastic. The harnesses all feature multiple adjustable straps with metal hardware for a luxury finish. I try to source as much of the raw materials and components from UK suppliers.

I even managed to jump in for a few sneaky shots at the end. I look forward to showing you the finished images.

GRACE ELKIN PHOTOGRAPHY: FACEBOOK