Company: Electra Designs
Gallery: Alexis Black's Custom Corsetry
Date: 28 December 2006
Since I was 15, and I am 32 now. I only made them as a hobby when I had time (which was rarely) up until 1999 when I started taking orders through ebay. At the time, I was the only person selling custom corsets on ebay. Things sure have changed! And about three years ago, I started making corsets professionally as a full time business.
I was attracted to the complexity of design, how the structure is so architectural and functional, and how the corset forms the basis of well fitted period costume. I mostly liked the challenge of making them because they are so intricate and precise. Throughout my life, I have, from time to time made corsets for money, but only as a side thing while I worked retail. It wasn't until I became disabled that I had the opportunity to get out of retail and begin making corsets seriously.
My favorite style is the long line hour-glass silhouette. I love dupioni silk and natural fibers like linen, but I can make a corset out of most anything. When I was 18, I made one out of astroturf with little pink silk flowers sewn on.
I wish I had help but I do everything myself. My husband is a graphic designer, so he helps me with my web site when he has time (seldom) and he occasionally goes to the post office for me, but the rest is me.
I don't wear them. I prefer to spend my time making them for others. Most of the time I am wearing jammies or jeans. I work from home and don't really go out so I haven't an excuse to wear corsets. I do test my designs by making samples in my size and I will wear them long enough to make sure everything is right, but I get most of my feedback from clients. Every client is so different, and has different needs and experiences. I learn a lot from the people who wear my designs. When I first started making corsets s a teen, I make conical Renaissance style stays. I remember how I loved the feeling of being laced in. It was like a comforting hug. Like being swaddled as a baby, and I loved how it made me feel so in control of my body, not sloppy. I miss that. As soon as I have time, I will make some new corsets for myself. Right now, my focus is on my clients.