A Personal Story
Who knew that being a fan of Dolly Parton would change one particular little girl’s life path into a magical and abundant world? It all started when Melanie Talkington was told that Dolly Parton wore corsets to achieve her amazing figure. This simple word, the corset, held so much literally and figuratively. It opened up a myriad of questions about what a corset was, who wore them and why? It uncovered a vast and fascinating history with a passion to learn more, which has never left Melanie from that moment of hearing the word corset at the tender age of 8 years old.
Melanie began questioning, researching and trying her hand at creating this elusive garment. Curious to know how Victorian women felt when laced into corsets and how such an intriguing garment could remain fashionable for over 500 years.It began simply, with the first antique corset in scarlet red wool from the 1860’s, completely moth eaten and patched but full of information and an excellent study piece which unleashed a desire to collect and preserve these fragile antique corsets that has not ceased. The Antique Corset Museum collection has grown to become the largest private collection of it’s kind with over 350 examples of corsets plus all of the other foundation garments and underpinnings a lady would use in her wardrobe over the centuries.This little scarlet corset started it all…much too fragile to wear, a copy was created and Lace Embrace Atelier was born. Originally specializing in historical costuming and corsetry, Lace Embrace has blossomed into a full fledged business now making corsets for celebrities, film & television, fashionistas and anyone curious enough to enquire about what a corset can do for you.
