The Dentist

I have never had a problem with the dentist. I don't suffer with any fear of injections so the idea of having sharp things put into my gums, doesn't actually bother me too much. This year was the first year I have had to have any dental work, and I walked into my new dentists to find he was this gorgeous stubbled man with a voice like Ewan Mcgregor. I confidentially told him that it was just a check up, and that there would be no problems here... Possibly the most embarrassing moment this year was when I was actually told that I was so far from being right, further work would be needed. But this really is rambling off the point...

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I try, as a general rule to be kind to everyone I meet. Sometimes it is more trying than others, but it is a mantra I try to live by. I also really enjoy talking to strangers. I find it really interesting that each and every person is on their own journey. Everyone has had tragedy, have dreams and hopes and their own back story. Recently I even found out that there is a word for this: 'sonder'. It's now a favourite.

I'm pretty sure I got this skill from my mother. For anyone that has met her, she has this encapsulating warmth and is always drawn to new people. You could see it as the ultimate form of networking. Somebody always knows somebody else who is keen to help and get involved. So when mum went to the dentist and bumped into an old friend over 5 years ago they exchanged their current contact details and got speaking about what they were up to with their lives.

I have a super exiting shoot coming up in just over a week, expanding my Wild Roses collection into Plus Size. I'm sure I will get a blog together about this soon, why I feel there's a need and in particular why I want to cater for it. But in the meantime let's just say: I really love all bodies.

Stuck without a location, and the weather being untrustworthy and moody in November, we were all racking our brains and then suddenly this contact came to mind. Now we have a fantastic location lined up, and many future projects starting to brew because after meeting the Lady of the House she was so enthused with what I was up to... 

It just goes to show that you never know what or who is round the corner, so always show people the best version of yourself ❤

For behind the scenes shots and to see my work in progress, check out my Instagram: rosieredcorsetry

Saving for best

When I was a little girl my mother had the softest loveliest mohair cardigan in the world. It was milky cream coloured, and cropped into a little bolero with long sleeves and just touching it made you feel decadent. It was hers, and yet she hardly ever wore it. I couldn't comprehend why someone who owned this magical piece of clothing wouldn't want to wear it all the time and show off all of its loveliness to the world. But she told me it was for best, and to the back of the cupboard it went.

As I grew up I started to realise that more and more things were 'just for best', nice shirts and suits, the pretty table mats and even summer dresses. Although I had grown and so had my ideas of the world, it still made no sense to me that these things should be packaged away. What good were they doing anyone stashed away? I washed the items get moth-holes, be outgrown and the owners simply fall out of love with them. What a waste. I made a pact to myself that nothing would be kept for best.

So why share this story? I think it's because I have been considering bridal wear a lot lately, bridal wear and fancy lingerie. Don't get me wrong, I love brides and I always say that 'I love love', bridal commissions are among some of my absolute favourites. But why should posh frocks and naughty lingerie be saved just for weddings? Clothing has this amazing power to communicate and to lift and change our moods. I feel it's something we should be embracing far more.

We have seen a shift in attitudes towards clothing and how we purchase, but I really think the best most spirit lifting thing we can do is just wear our best, more. Have you ever stayed in to watch a movie but worn a cocktail dress or gone to bed with your favourite book dolled up in a negligee and stockings, just for your benefit? It might sound a bit on the eccentric side, but I promise it really is worth a try.

That mohair cardigan is no longer in the back of the wardrobe... ❤

The Time I went to OCOC

I knew that this was a blogpost I would write, way before I even attended the Oxford Conference of Corsetry (OCOC). However, I wanted to leave it late so that it didn't get mixed up in the chaos around the event, meaning that it could be dragged out for as long as possible.

Now I am a really social person. I am the kind of person that if I have been working all day on my own I will take any opportunity to pounce on possible company. I even had quite a long conversation with a man coming to sell fish at the door the other day, until he realised I was vegetarian and that no sale would be made. But in all seriousness, my social life is a key part to my happiness. The reason I say this is because my social life barely ever includes talk of corsets and corsetry construction. I am the friend with the 'corset stuff', and maybe the slight oddball...

But OCOC changed all of that and flipped it on it's head. I remember saying that it felt as though you had taken every slightly eccentric/kooky character and popped us all in one venue to discuss the super geeky aspects of corsetry. And this was the bit that I enjoyed the most. All of these names that I had seen on Facebook and through social media were here, and real physical people (who would've thunked it). My disappointment was that I didn't have the chance to meet everyone properly, but there is always the future.

Oxford is my hometown, and despite seeing inside some of the colleges, Jesus College where this was set, was one I had never been in. In fact I had to embarrassingly google maps where it was. Unlike some of the other colleges it is super central, so an ideal venue. It felt very Harry-Potter-esque which is always the best feeling possible. Particularly eating at long wooden tables and benches, facing a top table and being stared down by portraits hung on the walls, I was slightly surprised they didn't start moving...

This was my first experience of OCOC, as it falls on the bank holiday in August which is traditionally a busy weekend in the year for me with family birthdays, and an annual meet-up with long distance friends. I would happily recommend it to anyone. Prior to going I wondered if I would be prepared enough, if I would fall below par and basically not be ready. But, this was not the case and I would recommend the experience to anyone interested in corsetry as a fabulous networking event. Maybe you're a photographer, a model, a hair and MUA or perhaps you just are really passionate about corsets, this event would be entirely suitable for you if you fancy an alternative to your summer vacation. I was able to 'network' and exchange contacts with some fabulous people, and can now confirm I will be doing a collaborative piece with model Evie Wolfe very soon. On top of this meeting Threnody in Velvet in the flesh felt huge for me. The image of her wearing Miss Katie's bridal corset was the one that set the ball rolling for me, and lead me to my first internship all that time ago. It's an image that has stuck with me, and she is just as flawless and beautiful in the flesh. It's almost quite unbelievable.

Julia Bremble the Organiser, and Mother of the whole event is a dear friend and I am in awe at how she was able to arrange this, run her business and make corsets alongside. And we can't forget that she is an actual mother as well as wife and owner of the most adorable Marley. Multitasking superwoman comes to mind.

As much as I can't fully say what the future will hold I feel that I will know I have really  made it if I get invited back as a motivational dinner speaker, let's give it 5-10 years ;) ❤

To see the official website: http://www.conferenceofcorsetry.com/

Photo Credits for Laurie Tavan Photography. 
See some of Laurie's work at: https://www.facebook.com/LTlaurietavan

One Month

I had a conversation last night with a good friend. We covered the standards of what am I doing now, what's my big plan, where am I looking for jobs or am I setting up on my own...

Now as a society we are fast. We are all about the speed and the now. We want a quick fix immediately, no patience required. We want fast food, fast gratitude and fast fashion. In my opinion, this has lead us to get all of our timings in a muddle. Now don't get me wrong, I am prone to want a takeaway, but I also love putting the effort into preparing a homemade meal, and as much as I nip into Primark for tights like the next person, I actually now invest in pieces, and shop predominantly from vintage and charity shops. I like to think that I have my 'speed balance' in perspective for the best part. 

The thing with wanting super fast speed means that we all get impatient and want the next thing immediately. I have been feeling lately that, what am I doing? Seriously it has been foooorrreveerrr since the whole Vanity Fair gig. This must now mean that I am massively under-succeeding.

One month ago. This was one month ago. In fact it was featured in the September Issue, and what month are we still currently in? September. 

The end of this month marks a year since I started my six month contract working for Cancer Research. This means I have been out of 'normal' work for nearly six months. That is no time at all. In six months I have made wedding gowns, prom dresses, lingerie sets, written for online mags, completed a full collection and had it shot, made two corset gowns to take for my meeting (one which is still top secret), dressed HBC, had a full page photograph in Vanity Fair and had my work shot by Mario Testino, carried out a radio interview, multiple press interviews, been to Norway and dressed the Editor-and-Chief of their big fashion mag 'Costume' and I am now working on a special extension to my Wild Roses Collection...

This is not a brag. This is me telling you that you are doing better than you think. So give yourself a pat on the back please. Time goes by quickly, but not as quickly as you think. Be patient and celebrate all of those successes. And maybe invest some time into the things you care about, life isn't all about the fast.

So to let you all know what I am doing right now I am eating a banana and drinking diet coke. But in seriousness, I am currently working on extending my Wild Rose collection into plus size. I met a lady this summer who just inspired me beyond belief and I thought to myself, I need to dress you. This lady was Evie Wolfe. I can also reveal that I will be dressing one of my personal 'online idols' George from Fuller Figure Fuller Bust. But more of that at a later date...❤

 

 Models: Evie Wolfe Modeling and Georgina Horne (FFFB)
Photo by: My Boudoir - Make-Over Boudoir Photography
H&MU: Sarah Elliott - Hair & Makeup Artist
Appearing in: Volup2.com 

Creativity in a suitcase

So I guess I always had a bit of a fear. The fear that I could only be creative in one place: the kitchen of my childhood home.

As a child I was always super creative, which thanks to my parents seemed encouraging of this. The philosophy that a kitchen was to be a messy place so long as it was tided away after was the best. It showed me that creativity wasn't necessarily a fragile or organised thing. Sometimes *POW* the creativity strikes, and normally a trail of chaos forms in it's path. That's one of my favourite side-effects.

So it started with finger painting, and potato stamping and then I drew a seal on the wall once which I hadn't twigged was out of bounds. I soon learnt that drawing on the walls wasn't what we do. But it was a very good seal. I progressed to dressmaking and 'costume' making before I had learnt all of my times tables, and it seemed like the kitchen was the place where everything and anything could happen. 

As a teenager I did my college work in the very same kitchen, and as the portfolios grew bigger and the projects advanced it seemed like this was the place for me. I had access to a computer, the radio, a table, a set of drawers full of art materials and my sewing machine was constantly set up. Everything I could possibly need was around me. Then I applied for university.

There was no way I was going to be living at home. After turning down an interview at Wimbledon partly on the basis that the student life of Birmingham had stolen my heart already, a bizarre thought crossed my mind. Could I be creative outside the kitchen? What if I went off to university and I was rubbish? My whole surroundings would be totally different, I wouldn't have the access to everything I would need and maybe my creativity would just frazzle out.

But it didn't. I soon realised that my creativity wasn't linked to an environment or a place, but that creativity is just an integral part of my being. Drop me on an island in the middle of nowhere and I can guarantee finding some way of stitching leaves together so I can sport a fetching bikini with matching headdress. My creativity is like a little internal suitcase I carry around with me, and sometimes I need to remind myself of this. It is still a concept that occasionally freaks me out, maybe my version of performance anxiety?

Sometimes we convince ourselves of silly wonderments as a way to prevent us from taking risks, and we could all do with the occasional helpful nudge from time to time.

Those who dare, win. Right?... ❤

 

Rocking my Little Mermaid Costume

'Great things never came from comfort zones'

I think that we are all faced with uncomfortable situations every day. I'm just using the term uncomfortable to describe anything a bit out of our ordinary 'norm' or something that makes us feel nervous or unsure.
I have just had the great pleasure of dressing the absolutely gorgeous Hege Aurelie Badendyck, Editor-in-Chief of Costume Magazine, Norway's leading fashion mag. The shoot was a collaborative piece for a new exciting company Prefall that will be launched soon. As part of the Prefall website (an online platform to sell vintage and pre-worn clothing and accessories) there is going to be a feature editorial style piece on Hege, and my clothing was seen and chosen to be worn as part of the shoot. But this was an opportunity to really push myself out of my comfort zone.

I went absolutely voluntarily, I could've easily declined, couriered my garments out there with a covering letter of 'how to wear'. I made the conscious decision that this was an opportunity I had to make the most  of. Although it was 'work' related, I actually haven't had a holiday for what feels like forever, so it made sense that I should take this as an opportunity to do some sightseeing and have a break away. It also meant I had the opportunity to spend some proper time with my gorgeous Norwegian cousin. Our family has always been a bit all over the world, so this was such a lovely opportunity. She is the ultimate cooler older cousin, and from the rapper boyfriend she had as a teen (as a child I was convinced he was Norway's version of Eminem) to the fact her wedding cake topper was Hello Kitty and a Ninja turtle, I knew it would be such a great time to get to know someone better that I has always looked up to so much.

So these were my uncomfortable things:

1.  I have never flown on my own
Doing new things can be frightening. Not only had I not flown for over 5 years, I had never flown alone. What if I couldn't get through airport security? What if I lost my passport, my permission to carry sharps and was arrested and and and. Nope. Instead I enjoyed people watching, buying duty free gin and catching up on some reading. Being on my own was surprisingly peaceful. It also made me realise that I don't need to be dependent on someone. Lightbulb moment.

2. Going to a country where I speak none of the language
So people do this all the time, but I think I am one of these people who like to be in control. Not knowing the language of a country can instantly make you feel vulnerable. What are these people saying? How will I communicate? Well it's not surprising that as with most European countries, English is taught in schools so is also pretty widely spoken. Reading signs was often quite alright as the occasional word has similarities, but some of the pronunciation of the words did baffle me. I did however have a great sense of pride when I managed to have a day solo-sightseeing that involved working out the tube system.

3. Getting lost
I am not one of these people that have a built in compass. In fact I am pretty guaranteed to get lost anywhere. I like to think when I am travelling with someone that they are the directions person and I am the company. Not entirely fair is it? It did however make me realise that I am actually rather observant and good at following signs. I got around no problem.

4. Shoot day
Any shoot can be pretty nerve-racking, but normally in the most exciting way possible. In fairness, this was no different. When the day began I felt nervous, which isn't a feeling I get too often and I think I put it down to the fact that everyone was obviously chatting away in a language I had no grasp of. As the day went on though it was clear that everything was going brilliantly, and speaking to the whole team was brilliant and insightful. I think Having Helena Bonham Carter on your business cards is a pretty good talking point as well. There will certainly be more news to follow...

I can whole heartily say that I have had a brilliant weekend. On this year's 'list' I wrote that I want to travel, among with many other goals. Another pretty big one was to push my comfort zone even further. Networking in person is such a valuable tool, and I cannot wait to receive the images. On a personal level I came back feeling indestructible, this really is just the beginning...

Last week I received a couple of really exciting emails, but less on that for the meantime. Although I can say that I have just agreed to be a 'Spotlight Speaker' at event later this year. 

Speaking in front of over a hundred people. Comfort zone: well and truly shattered. Lemme at it! ❤

 Top: Innovative styling
Middle: Polaroid of me, courtesy of Prefall
Bottom: Collaborative work

The meaning of words

I really like words. Aside from textiles and drama (I managed to sign up for a costume design module) at school, English Literature was my absolute favourite. I think the big appeal was that you were able to explore the way language can be used to different effect. It seemed so creative and open-ended that you could actually paint a picture with words. When I am designing I often start with a piece of creative writing to get my ideas down. Words give us such feeling and emotion.

My love for words certainly helped with my university studies, as costume design often directly relates to translating written text into something 3D and touchable. I think we learn heaps from reading, and definitely from reading varied sources. So maybe put down your fashion mag and pick up a classic like 1984, or put down the theology papers and pick up Bridget Jones. You are guaranteed to learn something.

This post is actually about certain words I have had used to describe me and my character. Words that seemed so 'un-cool' and undesirable whilst at school, and words that I have only just started to appreciate.

1. Kind
Being called 'kind' in the school yearbook was a way of saying that you hadn't done anything memorable to have something else written about you. It was the word teachers used to fill in a blank gap. Maybe they chose the word 'kind' though, because as adults they valued and already understood the importance of kindess. Now my yearbook is hidden somewhere under the bed, but I have a feeling (along with the terrible haircut) I was described as something like 'kooky, fuzzy, motherly'. As I look back now, I would much have preferred to have been called kind. When I left the last place I worked, I was asked to give a piece of life advice, I said something along the lines of 'always be kind, you have no idea what that other person is coping with right now, and you might be able to add a little spot of sunshine for them'. I understand 'kind' so much more now than I did as a teenager, and I can safely say that everyone should strive for being able to be called kind.

2. Sensible
I wanted to be wild and fun and outrageous. Being called sensible did my head in! How could these people not see how brilliantly ridiculous I was? I think the turning point was when my best friend called me sensible, and then explained what she meant. It didn't have any effect on my fun capacity, but it did mean that I was the kind of person to have my head screwed on enough that I wouldn't forget my keys to creep back in after a late night so as not to disturb everyone. It also means that on a night out I always have a £20 stashed in my bra, so if I want to leave at any point in the night, I can do just that and wont have spent all my money and have to rely on others. It's a great life tip, I advise it highly. Being sensible is something I had to learn when I was pretty young, but it's done me well. Also, being sensible has zero impact on how 'fun' you are.

3. Mature
'Oh you're so grown up for your age'. Great. Just bloomin' great. So I can't hide the fact that I am tall-ish, and don't really have any young girly features about me, but you don't need to make the snap decision that I'm mature. This one kind of ties in with being sensible. I still sometimes struggle with the fact that people call me mature, but they're right. I multitask lots every day, as many people do, but this has made me grow up a certain amount at a quicker pace. Being mature also means that I am able to switch between different personas when need be, dependent on who I'm speaking to. Maturity ties in pretty nicely with independence.

So I now strive to be the kindest I can possibly be, whilst being sensible with a splash of maturity. But, another word I picked up along the way is 'authentic'. And it's my fave. When you find those people you can be your Authentic Self with, you don't need to justify your quirks.

Authenticity is being your genuine original self, without apologies. Embrace it as a person, and it will follow you through to your design work and everyday life❤