Dark Garden

Recommended Reading: This Week in the Corseted Blogosphere http://bit.ly/ZQdCeM This week two blog posts were written about such very opposite corsets that I thought they merited their own post together.

Victoria Dagger is ready to love this ready-to-wear Dollymop for Dark Garden bridal corset. Photo by Chris Gaede.

Chronologically, the first was my piece for The Lingerie Addict, where I write a twice-monthly column.  I kicked off May with, “In Defense of Ready-to-Wear Corsets.”  Dark Garden is a business that got its start, and still specializes, in fully custom corsetry, as evidenced below.  But all that custom corset experience gave our fearless, peerless leader, Autumn Adamme, a lot of great information about real (and modern) human bodies, which she used to create what is quite likely the curviest and most comfortable ready-to-wear line of corsets on the market.  Lady could write a dissertation on “Ribcages of the World,” I tell you what - it’s always fascinating to hear her speak of the common skeletal proportions of different nations.  But I digress.  In Defense of Ready-to-Wear discusses the validity and value of ready-to-wear in a market that often emphasizes a “bespoke or bust” philosophy.

Shopgirl Euphrates with very happy client Bob in her new custom maternity/chiropractic corset.

Shopgirl Euphrates started waist training just before she started working for us back in December.  Last month, she launched Lacing Liaisons, a blog that details her waist training adventures and tips.  Yesterday she did a write-up on a particularly special custom order we just completed, otherwise known as The Most Interesting Corset Ever.  Bob, one of our long-term clients, needed a chiropractic maternity corset and she needed it STAT, lest her changing body literally fall apart at her joints.  Autumn worked with the lovely Bob to design a supportive, adjustable exoskeleton in patent leather, and whipped it up herself as quickly as humanly possible, staying late to stitch it up before skipping town for a well-deserved vacation.  (I myself witnessed her in our atelier as late as midnight, after I wrapped up our most recent corset boudoir evening.)  Corsets like this are the reason our full name is Dark Garden Unique Corsetry.  Be sure to read all the details over at Lacing Liaisons, and keep Bob’s story in mind the next time someone tries to tell you corsets are terrible for you!

Custom or ready-to-wear, why not stop into the shop at 321 Linden this weekend for a corset consult?  Our sale on Kalico Delafay accessories ends tomorrow, which is also the date of our Red Hot Mamas Day sale!

-Marianne
Multi-Purpose Corsetiere

Sale! Kalico Delafay accessories http://bit.ly/10lME3n

It’s a first!  Kalico Delafay  is having a sale on her beautiful and charming handmade accessories at Dark Garden.  All Kalico Delafay accessories will be 10% off, only at Dark Garden Unique Corsetry.

This is a week-long sale, which will last until closing on Mother’s Day.  What makes a better present than one of a kind creations? They are perfect for that stylish mother in your life, or as a present to yourself! Get ready to give that perfect gift!

 Be sure to check out the new Facebook fan page for Kalico Delafay Millinery to get a sense of Kalico’s killer design eye and unique aesthetic.  Kalico is also the designer of our popular Dollymop line of corsets.

-Anthea, shop girl
-Marianne, multi-purpose corsetiere

thelingerieaddict:

Indie Lingerie Boutique Spotlight: Jenette Bras

Dollymop for Dark Garden Sailor underbust.

danregal:

kiss the past on Flickr.

Another Dickens Fair window, featuring a black Waist Cincher.

corsetcop:

Dark Garden III by ~vampireleniore

Bad Charlotte in a Pop Antique day dress and Dark Garden “Madame” waist cincher with pockets.

squinkle:

me three years ago, in dark garden

Hottie!  Black patent leather Alyscia..?

retrovintageglamour:

Autumn Adamme’s corsets.

Selection of ivory and champagne corsets at the Dark Garden boutique.  Three Alexandras and two Waist Cinchers.

corsetcop:

‘Simple’, yet beautiful Dark Garden piece.

Black silk Sweetheart Longline in our famous Dickens Fair windows.

corsetcop:

A nice Dark Garden piece.

Autumn in a Sweetheart Victorian, in what looks to be embroidered taffeta.  I have a sneaking suspicion this is a Perry Gallagher image.

Visit Dark Garden at Urban Air Market today http://bit.ly/ZynbyQ
It’s that time again!  Urban Air is an event that’s rather close to our heart - and our home.  A miniature marketplace for sustainable design will set up for the day in Hayes Valley, on Octavia Blvd stretching from Fell St. to Grove with a leg extending down Linden Alley, right outside our front door!

We will have an info booth just down the street with samples and informational materials.  If you stop by the shop we’ll have a bowl of punch to soothe your throat after a day full of oohs and ahhs for the many talented designers who will be exhibiting.  Urban Air will also be host to live music as well as the booth and food exhibitors.


The weather looks to be a typical San Francisco day - somewhat cloudy, with temperatures in the mid 60s.  In my experience, though, it’s never too cold to enjoy a scoop of delectable, from-scratch Smitten ice cream.  (Top tip: their mint chocolate chip flavor, featured this month, tastes like an ice cream mojito!)  If you’re looking to warm up, Ritual and Blue Bottle have you covered on the coffee front, or you could pop into Taste teas for a cuppa loose-leaf.  Stop into Absinthe, Straw, Chez Maman, Boxing Room, or The Grove for a spot of brunch if you get hungry.  It will be a fabulous day to explore Hayes Valley.

Shop girl Anthea in a Dollymop for Dark Garden ensemble at the Edwardian Ball 2013.

The Urban Air market will be open from 11am to 6pm, which is an hour later than our typical Sunday hours.  Shop girl Anthea will be manning our booth, and I’ll be pitching in at the shop, so be sure and stop by to say hello to us!

Shop girl Cristina and me at the SF International Chocolate Salon in March