Prices and measurement forms

Silvia Alphard Couture provides corsets and historically inspired dresses made on measure.

Prices:
Corset underbust from 160 euro
Corset overbust from 190 euro
Ribbon corset from 170 euro (use the underbust form)
Waistcoat corset: 230 euro
Bloomers from 65 euro
Skirts from 70 euro
Shrug/Bolero from 70 euro
Vest from 70 euro
Cape from 70 euro
Historical Costumes from 300 euro

Corset are available in taffeta or duchesse satin. To see the available colors  go to this link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzkED0dd-ZM9Ym0wUlNVMGJGWG8/edit?usp=sharing
Please download the pdf file for a proper display of colors(to dowload press the arrow on the left or CTRL+S).

Please note: Custom corsets or dresses usually require 4-7 weeks to be constructed and shipped starting from receipt of payment, measurements and fabric selection. All items are shipped via Courier or registered post.
Buyer is responsible for any and all customs duties and taxes that may be applied.

The payment must be made forward.

Silvia Alphard couture is not responsible for corsets or dresses made to incorrect measurements supplied by the customer. Changes of measurements while working is in progress are not possible.
All sales are final.

 To provide me your measures you can use one of the following measurement form:

• FORM UNDERBUST

• FORM OVERBUST

• FORM SKIRTS AND BLOOMERS

Leave your email in the form and you will be contact asap.

Which old post you would like to see translated in english?

I turn to my  english readers.
For reasons of time I will not be possible to translate all my old posts  in English, so I ask you to tell me which you would like to see translated.

Hoping you would please, I send you a warm hug!



Sincerly
Silvia Alphard

How to distinguish between the various styles of corsets

Corsets are not all equal, not only as regards the quality, which I will next time, but also as regards the styles.

Most of you will know the classical distinction between underbust, overbust, waist chincher / waspie:

• Waist chincher o waspie: it is a very short corset, it is like a belt around the waist

• Underbust corset:Unlike the waist chincher extends above the hips, and get to surround the underbust better.

• Overbust corset: unlike the overbust also extends above the bust

 

In addition to these three main categories there are differences in the style in which a corset is drawn :

• Hourglass corset: it is constructed to have the classic hourglass figure. To achieve the hourglass effect  is drawn  follow the natural shape of the body and to have a reduction  only at  the waistline  (usually of 10 cm). The reduction is applied mostly on the side panels.

•  Conical shape corset: unlike that hourglass it compresses more the chest above the waist. The reduction is applied on all panels, and only a little more on the side panels, slightly compressing the lower ribs. On the sides it remains soft as the Hourglass following the natural shape of the body.

• Pipe-Stem corset:
  in this corset the reduction is not only at waistline but it extends a few centimeters above the waistline, giving a tubular shape. It 's not easy to wear this kind of corset, as it is very constricting. It is especially suitable for people who are used to wearing corsets. It 'a modern corset that did not exist in Victorian times.

 

• Edwardian corset aka S-Bend Corset/straigh front Corset:it is constructed so as to push the chest forward and hips on the back. It has a very stiff busk and boning especially on the front (flat steel bones) to keep the front straight. It usually present hip gores on the sides (the bones can be extended or not on them)

The picture shows the different posture obtained from Edwardian than Victorian corset

 

• Ribbon corset : it is a corset that was used mainly to do sport. It 's a lightweight corset made  with double satin ribbons. It is very suitable for hot summer days. The reduction of the waistline is applied is lower, and usually ranges from 5 to 8cm. The bones are placed exclusively on sides and close to busk and grommets, because the other  panels are only made with ribbons.

 

• Elizabethan corset: unlike the victorian one, it is not intended to reduce life, but only to lift the bust. It has a completely different construction.

 
 
 

Rolled Whipped Gathers

Book review: The art of Manipulating Fabric

Today I wanted to tell you about this amazing book.

The book presents several techniques to manipulate the fabrics. Each chapter describes  different techniques.

It starts from the simplest such as gathering the fabric, how to create ruffles, how to create different types of folds to the more complex concerning the smocking in many variations, the cording (which can also be useful for corsets) and quilting.

The explanations are clear enough and next to them are present explanatory drawings and images.

Who would you recommend? To all those who love to experiment with fabric, to those who are interested in learning the art of manipulating it to create volume and drapes, and  anything else that can be useful to enrich your garments!

My shop on etsy!

I recommend you  to take a look at my little shop on etsy!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SilviaAlphardCouture

You also can find coupon codes on my facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/SilviaAlphardCouture


This is a brief presentation of me and my works:
                           

I always have loved corsets and costumes

I bought my first corset when I was 20. I bought it in a lingerie shop, It wasn’t a good corset, it comes with plastic bones and so it did not last long

With the coming of internet, I began to inquire about corsets. I learned that they had to have steel bones to not deform and to give an hourglass shape.

Since corsets found in stores did not satisfy me , I started to read up on how to do a corset on measure. In the meantime, I decided to enroll in a fashion school , to learn the basics of sewing and modeling .

I studied on several books : “Corset and crinolines” by Norah Waugh , “Corsets” by Jill Saleen , “The basic of corset building” by Linda Sparks, “Corset Making” of Julia Bremble , learning the basis and gradually improving the technique. I also love experimenting with new forms to give to my corsets.

Today I'm a corsetiere and costume designer, I love my job and I really want to spread my passion and dreams all over the world!

Book review - Patterns of fashion I -II

A couple of weeks ago I bought 2 books on amazon: Patterns of fashion volume I and II.

In the two books are presented some historical dresses that you can find in  famous British museums such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Gloucester museum, the gallery of English costume and so on. The first book covers the period from 1660 until 1860, the second covers the period from 1860 until 1940.


Next to the costume's drawing you can find the pattern on a small scale with a few notes about the type and color of the fabric used, the information on how to assemble the dress, and other informations.


I have not still tried to make a costume following the instructions in the book, but they seem to be a good source of inspiration.


Here there are some pictures so you can get an idea:

Book review - The basics of corset building

Today I want to review this book:

The book is divided into several chapters:
The first chapter talks about the fabrics and useful tools to sew a corset. The other chapters deal with various topics such as: how to sew the busk, how to sew the bones channels, how to insert the grommets, how to sew the different parts of the pattern and how to tie a corset. The book is pretty clear . The only thing  missing is a section on how to draw a corset pattern, which would have made the book more complete.

Silvia Alphard Couture give you the opportunity to win a corset made on measure!

Go the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/568786783180464/

Partecipate and share and you will have the fantastic opportunity to win a bespoke underbust corset!

Rules:

In order to be eligible for the final draw, it requires:

- Click on "I Like" on the fan page https://www.facebook.com/SilviaAlphardCouture(if you have already placed "I Like" on the page do not consider this step)

- Share in "Publish" mode the event of the giveaway on your Facebook diary

- Leave the following comment in the giveaway event page: I participate and share

The draw will be made via the website “random.org “(http://www.random.org/) to the achievement of the 5000 likes among all entrants that will follow the rules.

Waiting for the past II - Pictures!

Skirts and corsets by Silvia Alphard Couture

Pictures by Giuliano di Bello & Alessandro Ragazzon

Model: HelenaisRed, Alina Chirila , Silvia Alphard