I feel a shot right through like a bolt of blue....

[ysobelle]

I had an excellent, if ass-kicking, workout today. Shortly thereafter, I drove up to Phoenixville to the utterly fabulous www.USAKilts.com to visit Kelly, who, alarmingly, said the brand-new corset I'd just shipped to her didn't fit. What she DIDN'T tell me was that it was First Friday in Phoenixville-- say THAT five times fast-- so parking was a bit dicey. But cruising up and down Bridge Street was actually lovely: I saw storytellers, families, art displays--- there was a live band on one side street, and all the shops were open. I was quite delighted!

After finding USA Kilts, which I'd driven past twice, I finally got to see Kelly and her husband Rocky. Their shop is fabulous! Sterling silver mead cups, sgain dubh, jewelry, warm handmade wraps from Ireland, sporrans, and, of course, kilts! Wool, wool blend, you name it. In 5-yard or 9-yard, hand-pleated, and utterly gorgeous. Yummily, they also have a supplier for silk tartans who's actually here in the States. Thank G-d.

I got Kelly into her corset and showed her how to put it on and take it off. It did indeed fit, and she was overwhelmingly happy. Even better, she'd like to carry some of my corsets in her shop! I'm overjoyed!

I celebrated by wandering Bridge Street for a bit and nosing around the bookstores. I had a major score of some first edition collections of Edna St. Vincent Millay. Squeeeee! Then it was back to King of Prussia to meet Erin for dinner at Rock Bottom, and pick up kylecassidy's soon-to-be curtains, which she'd cut for me.

And it was there in the bathroom, like Joss Whedon at his lunch with Eliza Dushku, that the idea hit me.

There was this gorgeous Indian woman washing her hands beside me. And as I often do, I thought, "I'd LOVE to put her in a corset. She'd look FABULOUS." And all of a sudden, I flashed back to the bright colours of the story interludes in the last "Little Princess" movie, and thought of the tapestries on the walls at New Delhi, and I realised, all these fairy tales I want to do are Western! Why on earth am I, who has a degree partly in world folklore, not looking into international fairy tales? Why not do a Russian Firebird corset, with a girl holding a long, magical feather? Or one of the classic Indian love stories, and have the model wearing a sari under her corset? A corset like an obi over a kimono?

Many new things upon which to dwell. I'm so very, very excited.

Comments

[hennabee.livejournal.com]

If you aren't already familiar, get your hands on the story of the kitsune in Japan. I'm fond of the story about the fox spirit that falls in love with a monk and slips in to a dream forever to save his life...for some reason that seems like it might make for a beautiful image on a corset.

[surlywench.livejournal.com]

uhm....how could it not fit? it laces in at least three places....
the only way it could not fit would be if she and her hubby were trying wear it at the same time..which.really..i think at that point violates the warranty...a smidge....

and they have a purple minikilt that i covet so hard. _so_hard_.

[ktnboo.livejournal.com]

Mmmm, I think I need to go there...

[peacockharpy.livejournal.com]

As for Indian influences, look at salwar kameezi as well -- they're extremely flattering flowy pants (salwar) with a long fitted top (the kameez), and might be adapted nicely to having a corset on top.

(I'm wearing one in the bottom picture on this page.)

The sari might be hard to adapt, but a lengha choli would be easier; it's a full, flowing skirt and small top that typically bares the midriff. As with all Indian clothing, the fabrics are to die for. :)

[crystalsage.livejournal.com]

Gah! I wish I'd known you were up here...you were 10 minutes away from me!!!!!

[ocin.livejournal.com]

I love when you get all these fabulous ideas!!!!!!!