Corsetry

Since our inception, Arwen has risen to become one of the most acclaimed names in corsetry; creating sublime couture from what boils down to bits of steel, a few yards of cotton, silk fragments and a piece of ribbon. Hard to think of it this way when you are confronted with the completed piece - a feat of engineering that subtly shifts the human body for conform to it's ideal proportions, but still creates a feeling of lightness and femininity.

Nothing can get closer to the skin than a corset, it moulds to your body and your body conforms to the corset. It is a part of you and like you can convey a thousand personalities, a multitude of incarnations. demure, sophisticated, sexy, sensual, elegant, regal, cheeky. A contradiction, a paradox; A garment that is as much an anachronism as it is contemporary and proclaims both the strength and the fragility of the wearer.

Gorgeous corsetry is our passion and what made us famous. These aren't vintage fripperies, or naughty underthings these are genuine corsets, but reinvented for the modern woman.

Historically corsets were heavy constructions of whalebone and cotton. They tucked in, pushed up, smoothed, sleeked and rounded the curves creating wasp-waisted perfection. Our corsets still do all of that, however modern construction methods and materials have made them lighter and more comfortable. Spring steel or recycled PVC, depending on the type of corset replace whalebone, and combine with opulent silks, cottons, linens, leathers and a multitude of intricate finishes to create a corset that is true couture.

Everything about Arwen corsetry is modern. We do not use antique patterns or construction methods as we recognise that women's bodies have changed over the past 120 years and that vintage methods don't really work anymore with modern fabrics. Most importantly, people have changed and we have grown far more knowledgeable about our bodies in this time, so why continue to do things the old way?. We take our inspiration from the past, but don't live in it. Our patterns and construction are our own methods, perfected over years not rehashed antique methods. Our corsets are designed on the same principles as medical corsets. They straighten, support and correct the spine, and work with the musculature of the body to subtly transform it's shape.

From Merry Widows to bodices, steel-boned Tightlacing corsets, girdles or 1920's foundations, Arwen makes a variety of different corset types and has more than 50 different standard styles within these types to choose from. Great cleavage, better bust support, a more shapely waist, flatter tummy or sleeker hips; for a night out or for everyday wear, we will help you find the right corset from our extensive prêt a porter range or we can create a bespoke piece for you.

For more info on corset types, please see articles.