Corset Revival by Fiona Taylor

The Story Behind the Corset: Most materials for this piece were sourced from our charity
shops and were either thrifted or generously gifted. The initial inspiration came from a
visit to Whitby, a destination renowned for corset-wearing Goth and Steampunk
communities. Visiting local shops there helped shape how the Phoenix design might
evolve.
Shortly afterwards, I discovered an exquisite XXS, full-length white corseted dress for
£10, adorned with ruffles and subtle sparkle, along with peacock feathers for £8. The
dress had been handmade but never worn. Volunteers and I speculated that it may once
have belonged to a jilted bride, which made the idea of giving it new life even more
meaningful.
My original intention was to dye the dress to complement my purple corset. However,
sample tests revealed the satin melted when burned, indicating man-made fibres that
are less receptive to dye. Natural dyes such as red cabbage and beetroot proved
unsuccessful, even with an iron mordant, resulting in faint and uneven colouring. As
purchasing dye was not an option, I posted on the CRAP (Conserving Resources
Associating People) Facebook page and received a wonderful response. I was gifted
several types of purple hair dye and my first four purple feather boas.
While the hair dye showed some improvement, advice from experienced crafters at the
Northlight group highlighted the risk of patchiness and irreversible damage, particularly
during winter with fluctuating temperatures. I therefore chose to embrace the white dress
and celebrate it in its original form.
The corset remains back-laced, meaning assistance is required to fasten it. It has been
embellished with detailed beadwork, and some ruffles were added to the hem to extend
its length. The original bodice of the dress was transformed into a bolero jacket. Although
slightly uneven at the back, this was intentional, preserving the original zip fastening and
honouring the garment’s history.
The skirt is adjustable and detachable, ensuring accessibility for wheelchair users, with
the option to drape it at the front. When reshaped into a train, seven purple boas were
hand-stitched onto the ruffles, alongside one red boa symbolising fire and one black boa
representing ashes.
Rather than wings, which could be restrictive, I created cuffs that mirror the corset’s
curvature. The purple velvet was sourced from a charity shop handbag, and I embellished
it with sequins and peacock feathers. A metal coat hanger was reshaped into a harness,

threaded through the handbag straps, wrapped in a pink feather boa, and finished with
bottle fairy lights to symbolise the Phoenix rising from the ashes.
Finally, I labelled the corset “Fi Taylor & Co” in recognition that this piece was only
possible through collective support. My sincere thanks go to Natalie and the St
Gemma’s Hospice team, charity shop managers, volunteers—especially Ling—and to
the crafters at Left Bank and Northlight for their generosity, time, and guidance. Along
with my thanks for my late mother’s sewing tools.
The Phoenix corset has challenged my limited crafting skills yet exceeded my
expectations and represents hope, eternity, healing, and resilience — reflecting both
rebirth and compassion.