As a bit of a more light-hearted post, I’ve decided to expose my personal covet-list. The only rules here are that I can’t have owned a piece from any of these makers in the past, they’re in no particular order, and it’s not necessarily supposed to be interpreted as my list of top 15 favourite corset makers of all time. Some of these I may be saving up for in the future, while others are somewhat pipe dreams to own. Scroll down to see 15 corset makers that I will be following closely in 2014 (no pressure or anything):

Bizarre Design Corset. Model: Marilyn Yusuf
Bizarre Design Corset. Model: Marilyn Yusuf

Jeroen Van Der Klis, the brain and skill behind Bizarre Design, engineers some amazing and unique corsets – yet he also has the ability to make even a simple black satin underbust corset look like the most wondrous wardrobe staple you will ever lay eyes upon.

Corsets & More on a client

Scroll through the galleries of Corsets & More for example after example of pure opulence. There is no corset style or design that is too complicated for Doris Müller! She is a master in corsetry, and my favourite discovery of 2013.

Clessidra Hourglass Couture (now rebranded to JB Corsets). Model: Sohui. Photo: Catherine Day Photography

Julia of Clessidra Couture is a bit of a Superwoman. She teaches corset making, she sells corset supplies and kits, she writes books, and somehow she still finds the time to make superb corsetry.

Royal Black Couture & Corsetry. Model: Threnody in Velvet. Photo: Iberian Black Arts
Royal Black Couture & Corsetry. Model: Threnody in Velvet. Photo: Iberian Black Arts

Royal Black can do no wrong. Creation after creation, her designs are increasingly innovative, intricate and awe-inspiring, and there’s no sign of her slowing down!

Anachronism in Action “Lady Loki” corset, on the designer (see her pattern for this corset on Etsy – aff link)

For years, people scoffed at the proverbial “Basket Weaving 101”. This corset by Anachronism in Action put these naysayers and snobs in their proper place, and completely changed my personal views as to what can be used as embellishment. Not to mention the incredible smooth finish, gorgeous earthy color and amazing shape.

"Carmim Passion" adorned cupped overbust, made by Ferrer Corsets in Brazil
“Carmim Passion” adorned cupped overbust, made by Ferrer Corsets in Brazil

Corsets are only made better with cups, and those cupped corsets are only improved by filigree jewelry. Ferrer Corsets offers it all in this fiery piece. My life is complete.

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Sin & Satin ribbon cincher, on the designer

Sin & Satin‘s ribbon cinchers have no side seam, and they’re also embellished with metallic lace. There is nothing to not love, and there are no words for how much I covet a piece like the one on the right.

Pop Antique knitted cable sweater corset. Model: Victoria Dagger. Photo: Mask

Temperatures 20° below freezing have me wishing for a cozy, warm knitted sweater corset by Pop Antique – plus, her standard sizes match my custom measurements almost exactly – I feel that it might be fate.

Metallic leather overbust by Atelier Sylphe, from her Etsy shop (aff link)

Take a historical corset, and a spectacular sculpture that should be in a museum. Put them together, and this doesn’t even do justice compared to the creations of Atelier Sylphe.

Lovesick Corrective Apparel. Model: Jade Vixen. Photo: Christophe Mourthé

Dear Diary, day 1174 without a Lovesick Corset in my possession. They make stunning work, and their studio is an hour away from me – so close, yet so far; my commission inquiries have received no reply so I’m left to pine after their work from afar. Perhaps one day I’ll gather the courage to try again.

Daze of Laur. Model: Laura Rubin. Photo: Jeremy Tavan.

I check Daze of Laur‘s website regularly – if not to see updates of her creations, then to read the little Easter Eggs on Laurie’s constantly changing “title” in the header! (She also studied life sciences in uni and I kinda want to be her friend.)

Clair de Lune overbust by Angela Friedman

Angela Friedman. Make it a household name. Because a well-supporting, properly-fitting overbust corset is not a want, it’s a need.  Just look at that pattern drafting, it’s magical.

Waisted Couture overbust. Model: Miss Mosh.

Even the simplest underbust corsets from Waisted Couture have an incredibly smooth finish with a neat nipped-in waistline. According to a fan and client, her training corsets are also nearly indestructible. I’m more than willing to put this to the test.

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Wilde Hunt Platinum leather bridal overbust corset

Before Wilde Hunt, I had never known that such dreamy, ethereal and romantic pieces could be fashioned from hardy leather. This piece has left me wondering if it’s possible to throw a wedding without actually getting married, just so I can wear something this spectacular.

Dita von Teese for Mr. Pearl

Mr. Pearl. Because no list of coveted corsets is complete without Mr. Pearl. Owning a piece from him is the ultimate pipe dream of this list. He is elusive, rarely spotted in public, and doesn’t leave a trace as to where he has been except for a few polished photos and the appearance of the occasional breathtakingly magnificent piece of art. I can imagine that centuries from now, stories of Mr. Pearl will be spread around the world as he’s promoted to the status of a magical, mythological figure.

Which corset makers will you be watching in 2014? Let me know in a comment!

27 thoughts on “15 Corsetier(e)s I’ll be watching in 2014

  1. Sophie says:

    I am another fan of Wyte Phantom and am saving up for a custom corset from her.
    But this year will hopefully see me making my own corset with help from Linette at Anachronalia (http://anachronalia.com/) for some folklore inspiration.

  2. April Brooks says:

    I am obsessed with that corset from Corsets and More…I’ve seen it before, and I love everything about it! Also a Sin & Satin ribbon cincher and a piece from Waisted Couture are on my wish list. I love/hate that you introduced me to Ferrer Corsets Crimson Passion…new obsession now!

  3. Violet Hayes says:

    Wow. I really want to score a piece from Angela Friedman now. I’m a 34 H with practically no hope of finding many pretty things to support “The Girls”. I thought I’d have to wear underbusts exclusively but seeing her corset makes me dream of a stunning overbust!

  4. Alissa says:

    Thanks to Lucy I am now following ALL corsetieres :) But if we must be realistic, here is the chosen list for 2014:
    Morgana Femme Couture – their longline victorian designs with a conical ribcage are fantastic. I have already ordered the little black cincher (which will be my first made-to-measure corset) and have several other designs in mind, including Lucy’s teal underbust (I have watched the video review about 10 times))
    Sweet Carousel Corsetry – their overbust styles are perfectly shaped, and I just cannot resist the red Madame III.
    Isabella Corsetry – I have the Josephine (thanks again Lucy, it is the first real corset I bought after the review) and I must have it made-to-measure.
    Puimond – I like leather corsets so much, and for a leather underbust I will probably choose Puimond who I now know enjoys working with leather. But that is probably for 2015 :)
    I am also interested in a trainer from Waisted Couture, and their scoop overbust style (I’d been considering the WKD Antoinette until I learned the hipspring is not large enough), and very much impressed by Wyte Phantom designs.

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