I don’t know if there’s something in the water, but many people in the corset community have been under scrutiny this past week. Quite frankly, I’m a bit bored of all the drama.
Since my trip to Washington, a small handful of people have come forward – one asking me about whether I’m paid by Orchard Corset, one telling me not to undervalue myself by associating with OTR companies, and one who has felt that my channel has a bit too much of a marketing feel as of late.
I thought I would answer this openly, to set the record straight. I have always tried to be as transparent as possible while still maintaining some semblance of privacy, and I thought I had made my sentiments towards OTRs clear before, but this situation is worth addressing publicly because for every one person who mentions something, there are usually 100 more thinking it but not wanting to speak up.
My trip to Washington was hosted by Orchard Corset. The owners had gone to lengths so that I wasn’t in debt for the trip, but that is just what a good host and a friend does. However, they didn’t pay me for my time there. I am not an employee and don’t consider myself affiliate – we are friends, but I don’t receive a cut of any sales and they have never paid me to do videos.
They wanted to privately show me how they operated. We also talked about what happened on ABC 20/20 last autumn, and how the corset community on Youtube is evolving as it allows corseters to speak about our experiences without fear of editors twisting our words or taking phrases out of context.
They never asked me or even expected me to film a tour – I just thought it would be something that my audience would find interesting – I had asked Orchard permission to show their place. It was also entirely my idea to interview them, to get a handle on where an OTR company sees itself in the spectrum of the corset market, amongst all the corset makers. The interview wasn’t scripted (I had prepared my questions, but I had no part in how they answered). If the interview sounded contrived, it might be because we had to film it twice – the first time there was a bunch of noise picked up from outside; truck engines and people talking loudly so we had to re-film it – so naturally they had smoother answers the 2nd time around.I broke even on the trip financially, and can say in all honesty that I didn’t gain from making these videos. Not even a real jump in views or subscribers. I feel richer in experience though and considered it an adventure. I had documented it not only for my own memories, but I wanted to take my viewers along.
In terms of the sample corsets – of approximately 100 corsets, I kept two that had broken in on my body during my stay. I chose about 15 more for auction on Ebay – I could have used all of them for another giveaway, but I personally made the decision that Sidney’s health and raising funds for her was more important.
I’m not trying to defend Orchard Corset, and I’m not saying that their corsets are as good as custom-fit, coutil-based corsets out there, because they are not – even the owner of Orchard says that they are not at that level (and they have no desire to compete with that – OTR companies and bespoke corsetieres can co-exist peacefully).
If you got the impression that my channel was turning into one big commercial and that I promote too many products or makers, that barrage of unwanted media was not intended – but either way, it’s my fault and nobody else’s. If it is a commercial, then I am sure as hell benefiting the least of everyone on a financial level. The money I’ve spent on my channel is well into 5 digits now. And I say this without bitterness, just with truth.
If any of this were “just for the money”, I would be long gone. I have no secure future in maintaining my channel; I keep it because I love it. And I agreed to the trip because it would be a great experience to meet other people who love corsets as much as I do. For anyone who says that I have undersold myself by meeting with perfectly nice people, let me point out that perhaps it’s not me who is undervaluing myself, but maybe it’s others who put me on a pedestal and overestimate my reach. Opportunities to meet other corset makers/ sellers don’t come every day for me, especially where I live.
But I am really appreciative of those who had the courage to step forward and tell me their thoughts, because as they say – where only one person speaks, there are 100 others thinking the same thing.
I’m sorry if I’ve disappointed any of you. And one more reminder that Youtube is not my livelihood – I keep making videos because I enjoy it, because of the great people I’ve met along the way, and I try to support those makers whose livelihood actually does depend on creating beautiful corsets. But if what I’ve been doing has been detrimental to the community, I will have to put some deep thought into what I will do with this channel. This is no way meant as a threat to shut down completely, but perhaps after reviewing the corsets already purchased this year, I will stop doing them.
It’s a sad day when people are suspicious simply for one wishing to share her spotlight with others.
I stumbled upon your blog about a year and half ago and I have stuck around because you offer a unique perspective on corsets (and other things :)). Before I found your site I was very frustrated. I have a curvy figure and it never occured to me that the problem wasnt with me, it was the cut of corsets I was trying. Your reviews and informative videos helped guide my first `real`corset purchase and have saved me a lot of money and time! I dont find your blog overly commercial or biased, you review a wide spectrum of corsets and brands. Regardless of what direction you decide to take your blog, I hope that you continue to do what makes you happy. As long as youre happy doing videos, I`ll be happy to watch :)
Thank you, Jen! It’s great to know that my videos have served some kind of use – and I do love making videos, so I hope you enjoy my channel for some time to come. :)
Wow. How can some people say you were getting paid by Orchard Corset because you went to their home base? I would have LOVED to go and experience that, it seems like so much fun, and they seem like such nice people. Honestly, after watching your interview video, I went to their site and bought my first corset from Orchard. That’s how important I valued this view.
In a way, you kind of your blog has a “marketing feel” to it, when it comes to your corset reviews. This is not a bad thing. After viewing a corset review video, I’ll go to their website, and a few times I hadn’t even heard of this company and after thoughtful thinking, I have purchased three corsets from unknown companies at the time (Orchard, Heavenly & Axfords)
I think you are amazing, so please keep up the good work and never quit what you’re doing. You are the reason why a lot of us have bought from independent companies and refrained from going to eBay or similar.
Thank you for your honesty, Stephanie. I guess part of the “marketing” can’t be helped as I am a product reviewer – but I try to be unbiased and not shove something in your face or force people to buy – that’s not my type. I’m really glad to hear that some smaller companies are being supported due to my reviews. ^_^
I look forward to and enjoy your posts. I never once considered that your review of Orchard Corsets wan anything other than just that, a review. I enjoyed it so much, I placed an order with them for three corsets never once thinking that you would profit from it. And if you do, so what! Seems to me that would make you a good business woman. Keep the posts coming. You’re the one who got me started with corseting and I am now onto my next size down.
Wow, Lucy–you’ve been busy. I quickly scan the blog while scarfing down my lunch, and see something about a trip to Washington…transparency…and charges of commercialism or kickbacks or whatever. I’m like, WT..?? Now Lucy’s lobbying in Washington for corsets? Then I see it’s much ado about nothing–some grousers attempting to rain on your parade. I have nothing but high praise for everything you’ve done–it’s obviously a labor of love, and you take great pains to explain your position on everything on the OTR vs. custom thing to the various reasons why one might want to wear a corset in the first place. I stumbled across your site a few months back and have found your information extremely helpful, especially as a person new to the whole idea of wearing a corset…just understanding what goes into making a quality garment lets the buyer know how to proceed and avoid some of the pitfalls. My first “starter corset” turned out to be a very good fit (no pun intended), in large part due to the information I found on your channel. In fact, I got TONS of compliments on a dress I wore yesterday…and I know the shape was greatly enhanced by the corset I wore underneath. I really appreciate your posts and I hope you won’t let a few “haters” dissuade you from continuing to share your insights with all of us. Thanks!
Hi Lucy, please take the negativity of others with a grain of salt. It is nobody’s business if you are being paid for advertising OTR or not. What you do is of big assistance to those of us who are new to corsets and the old. If a party does not like what you are doing they have the right not to watch. I truly appreciate you and what you do. It was also a pleasure purchasing my first corset from you. You gave me EVERYTHING I needed to know. Let’s all give Lucy a BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE!!!!!
Thanks for being YOU.
Michelle Y.
Dear Lucy ! Thank you so much for sharing your impressions at Orchard Corsets with us ! I thought other people would have kept it privately ! I perceive you as such a thorough studying and open-minded person who deserves open doors & opportunities , I´m sure other companies would love you to review them in this high-quality ! Somehow you are creating something new with your work and personality and it leaves the boundaries of normal definition now ! You´re really growing within an specialized topic and we all are able to follow you as a free reporter between corsets as “unique -pieces -of -art ” and different OTR corsets companies . I ´m from Austria and YouTube/ the internet connects us in a quick and new kind of way , I appreciate this so much for my new experience wearing corsets since january . It´s quite unusual here but everybody is fascinated and understanding when introduced to ! I wore some starter UB/OB from Corsets UK before I found the amount of information , so the next decision for me was going for the “Josephine UB” and a nice and even more comfortable waist cincher from Isabella Corsetry which both do fit my not so curvy figure so unbelievable well and create a really shocking silouhette without any effort ! I don´t want to ruin them too quickly and was looking where to find similar OTR corsets . I studied Orchard Corsets , their level 3 corsets , their nice company´s philosophy of sharing information etc. when you just brought your interviews out ! Fascinating ! Also the corsetieres map / links are so great to get information about the small one- person- ateliers .
I compare it to my violinmaking : it can be everything from lowest to highest quality and everybody needs information about it .
I´m so grateful you are doing the reviews on the high-end corsets ! This is such a chance for us all to see this kind of work and design ! Through your work we will create a market for all kind of corsets again !
Hi Lucy I want you to know that you are an amazing person, your kindness to share your knowledge with us is a privilige and when people dont appreciate it they twist the true of what is the real commitment of your videos. You’re special and I really want to say Thank You for guidance and provide all the information and for taking your valuable time to share it with us. sending lots of blessings your way. I love your videos
Lucy; Haters just mean that you are now a force in the industry. Think Diana Vreeland for example. As long as you state, as the travel industry almost invariably does, that financial consideration for this trip/review/samples was received than no one should argue. If a travel writer does a piece on a resort or island you can bet the resort or business improvement association comped everything from the time the writer walked out their door and that they were paid for their time on top. You have nothing to apologise for. Just realize you now have influence and think before you use it. Noblesse Oblige. Max
You were one of the first sites I found (via your video reviews) when I found interest in wanting a corset. I’m now consulting with you about my best choices. You are also the reason I started sewing last week. Please don’t change what you love to do over a few naysayers…
Hi Lucy,
I just found your website and your channel several weeks ago and have been reading/watching all of them nearly everyday. You’re so kind and lovely and i really enjoy learning from you. I’ve never made a corset or even worn one but I’ve learned so much about corset from you. Now I’m about to make my first one and so excited about it. Please keep doing what you’ve been doing the whole time. You are an inspiration.