December 07, 2005
BETTER'N BETS'
Fashion Art Photography by Jerome du Bois. Styling and Accessories by Catherine King. Do not reproduce in any form.
Note by Catherine King
It was so romantic when Jerome bought me this Betsey Johnson corset-style top a couple of years ago! I loved the fabric and admired the construction of the garment from the very beginning.
The silk is a very deep wine-colored very small plaid. I feel I remember it from the Nineteenth Century. It's so evocative it makes me want to play some Civil War music and cry. . .
Anyway, the corset has six long tapered bones and fourteen sets of hooks. The detailing is superb. That's why I never could understand for the life of me why on earth Betsey put all that effort into such an impressive piece of couture, and then dropped the ball when it came to the finish.
I had to acknowledge that the way Betsey slapped the lace along the top of the corset was as disappointing as the rest of the garment was satisfactory. What was Betsey thinking? It just goes to show you, never put anyone up on a pedestal, not even one of your favorite Female American Couturiers.
Okay, so now I had admitted to myself that my Betsey Johnson corset top needed some help. But what to do? I didn't want to take off the lace that was already there. But when I tried to picture covering up Betsey's stretched, skimpy lace with more lace, well, there was no way to do that smoothly, seamlessly.
Then it occured to me --add the required improved lace to the inside of the top of the garment, behind Betsey's deficient lace, not covering it up. And my favorite old black slip was longing so for another incarnation.
So I cut the bust off of the slip and sewed it, lingerie straps and all, right into the top of my Betsey Johnson corset. It looks way better with two sets of straps showing. Then I looked at the bottom of the garment. It must be said, Bets' cheated a little there as well. Wouldn't the bottom of the corset look better with a ruffle all around? And so I cut the lace hem off my old slip and gathered and sewed it along the bottom of Better'n Bets'.
Well here you go-- with Better'n Bets' I introduce to you Upgraded Couture from The House of Not For Sale.
Next: My GaultiQueen, wherein a Gaultier kilt and a McQueen pencil skirt get hitched.