Eternal Spirits Corsets, Susi Henson. Location: Nottingham, England
Training: Nottingham Trent University, UK
Style: Sexy and promiscous corsets and waspies for women with individuality, style and a hint of attitude. Femininity and seduction are sensitively balanced with originality and quality in the Eternal Spirits collections.
Story: Susi, of Eternal Spirits, always had an intense passion for corsetry and a deep love of design. After gaining a first class BA Hons. in Fashion she went into industry for a short period before returning to study to further her knowledge and skill base. After successful completion of an MA in Fashion and Textiles she developed her own business in early 2002 giving us the world renowned and fashionable Eternal Spirits that we have today, specialising in handmade corsetry, lingerie and designer bridal wear.
Highlights: Created garments for, among others, celebrities such as Dita Von Teese, The Scissor Sisters, Kirsty Gallacher and Sarah Michele Gellar whilst also designing corsets for use in films and by some of the UK's top burlesque artists.
Corsets, Underbusts and Waspies are beautiful and intricate garments with long histories and many terms related to them. The following should help you understand the corsets construction better:
Basque - the section of bodice below waist which was shaped to hips and was also another name for a corset.
Bust Bodice - This is a covering for the
bust, predominantly with straps and occasionaly lightly boned at the side andfront for giving the 'mono-bosom' effect.
Bustier - Often worn as outerwear it is a long-line brassiere which is often strapless.
Cambric - This is a fine white linen which is used for bodices and corset lining.
Camisole This was originally a loose bodice worn over the corset to protect it.
Corselette The name for a smaller corset covering the waist and often back-lacing and front fastening.
Galloon Lace - A finished lace which has a scalloped edge on either sides which is used for finishing the tops and bottoms of corsets with a silk thread was embedded in the lace for a drawstring effect.
Garter Suspender - this refers to the attachments at the bottom of corsets for the attachment of stockings similar to a suspender belt.
Guepiere - This is a type of short boned corset, and is similar to a waspie and is known as a cincher in North America.
Helanca - This is a stretch elastic fibre that will give two ways and is made of nylon and polyester and is used in flexible panels for a corset. They are used in 'Merry Widow' style corselettes.
Lacing or lace - A woven or twisted cord which is used to secure the corset.
Lacing Protector - A piece of the corset the same length as the corset, and about three or four inches wide without boning. It protects clothing and skin from the lacing. It also allows the lacings to move more smoothly and helps in self-lacing by holding the lacings tightly. It also makes the corset look smarter when the lacings are not totally closed.
Merry Widow - A non-laced corset with a half-cup bust support and long stocking suspenders.
New Look - This was introduced by Dior and featured a narrow, nipped waist which was often corsetted and had wide flaring skirts with crinoline propping.
Waist Cincher - This ia a type of corset that in appearance is a belt and is designed to narrow the waist.
Waspie - Belt-like corsets.
Wasp Waist A small waist created by tightlacing.
