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Categories: Leather Goods, Lingerie, Bridal
Neighborhood: Hayes ValleyMon-Tue. 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wed-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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I love Dark Garden!
I bought my wedding dress at DG and am extremely happy with not only the final product, which is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, but also the process, which was fun and easy. Autumn, Kali, Jessica, and Monika take care of you; they are warm and friendly and funny and also completely professional and experts at what they do. Autumn carefully listened to my every concern and addressed each one completely.
I can't recommend them highly enough! And now I have something completely custom-made just for me to walk down the aisle in...I can't wait!!
Why a Gentleman of Means would want to shop at Dark Garden...
Firstly, the craftspeople of Dark Garden make exquisitely fitted garments for both ladies and gentlemen. I have a custom-fit waist cincher that provides excellent shape and support to my rather ample frame. The price and delivery time were quite reasonable for a unique garment made to my specifications. Please note: "reasonable" does not translate as "cheap." If you are of a pecuniary bent, please think to take your custom elsewhere.
Secondly, a gentleman properly attired in such a garment is more attractive to the ladies because it encourages better posture and carriage. You look taller, stronger and more upright. I have it on good authority that ladies appreciate such qualities in their menfolk (if you were wondering, the "good authorities" are womenfolk themselves).
Thirdly, once a lady inquires as to the source of your garment, you may --in proper courtesy, of course-- invite her to visit with you the Dark Garden emporium where she may be treated with respect and gentility by the friendly and professional staff in the creation of a custom-fitted garment of her own. I have heard tales that some fortunate gentlemen at the completion of the crafting process may even be treated to a glimpse of the finished product being modeled by their lady companions in discreet and private settings.
In summary, good pricing, exquisite workmanship, courteous and attentive service all make Dark Garden the singular choice for custom corsetry in the San Francisco Bay Area for ladies and gentlemen, alike.
I was endlessly going from one bridal boutique to another, I was not a girl to wear white and then a good friend mentioned DG. Well, we went to take a look and try on some corsets. I was hooked (pun intended), there was no pain and the women in the store were amazing. I made an appointment, picked out my fabric and began my love affair! I ended up purchasing the veil, jewelry and my husband's tie. Autumn and her team (I wish I had all their names to give them credit) are wonderful at what they do. They were very detail oriented, worked within my budget and very person centered. And the pics turned out amazing, especially the ones of my bridesmaids lacing me up. Now, I just have to teach my husband!
Dark Garden is my Norcal corset heaven. *swoons*
If I wanted to get a corset for a wedding or a VERY special occasion, I would not hesitate to check out the designs at Dark Garden (another good place is Versatile Fashions, I have a review of them up as well, find them @ http://versatilefashio...).
If you're looking for impeccable, flawless corsets, try Dark Garden. I'm looking to save up and purchase a leather corset from here... one day. Dark Garden is THE place to get leather corsets- (Versatile only makes pvc- so go there for the vegetarian pvc corsets :)). They also have more historical designs compared to Versatile.
I'd love this corset in reptile embossed patent.
http://www.darkgarden....
Their corsets are even more expensive than Versatile- they run easily into the 600 and 700's and up for their wares.
Excuse me while I faint. I think this place might be a dream come true.
I have yet to make a purchase from this place, one, because my body is nowhere near where I want it to be, so investing in a corset would not be a great idea, and two, because the i couldn't justify plopping down $$$ for a lovely hat with a giant feather (because I'm careless and would destroy it in one drunken night).
The sample photos made me jealous, the staff is super, super nice. Jessica was ultra-sweet and really took her time to help us (my friend was looking for a corset), and explain all the different aspects of each style.
And there's something about how the shop reminds me of being a little girl standing inside a giant trunk full of decadent costumes. Although, I never had the opportunity to do that. Oh well, a girl can dream, no?
And yes, when I am finally ready to buy a corset, I'm going to dark garden, regardless of what country I'm living in, and I'll be hunting jessica down.
This store is soooo San Francisco---I love it. I went in with a friend who is having a dress made for her graduation recital. It's gorgeous. She's even more gorgeous.
I wasn't planning on shopping, but couldn't help myself... I left with 2 skirts and 3 blouses that I can wear to work---very cool, but romantic too. I need to go back and buy some jewelry.
do you enjoy feeling like a luscious, gorgeous, unbelievably sexy sexpot? Then go out and get yourself a corset at Dark Garden!
Me? I waited until I had a wedding dress to wear, but, really, I highly recommend you treat yourself to one of these delectable confections for no reason other than you deserve it.
I am compelled to add that I was beyond impressed with the customer service; when I went for my final fitting, there was some weirdness around my boob area that concerned staff. I kept saying that perhaps i wasn't used to the fit of a corset, having never worn one before, and was willing to walk out with the corset, but the staff member (I'm sooo sorry i cant recall her name) was firm that the item should be perfect. Autumn was called in, she identified the problem and had me take off the corset so it could be corrected and would fit me perfectly. Autumn even offered to put a rush on it if my wedding date was looming--this was not the case--but what a great offer! When I went back the corset WAS perfect!
I tried on a corset. Me! I tried on a corset. Wow.
This place is awesome! My friend Matt V was next door getting coffee and since I was already gulping down Red Bull, I wandered over here instead. I lingered in the doorway for a few moments admiring the displayed dresses and corsets when a saleswoman beckoned me inside even with my Red Bull. She (Margo is her name and she is adorable) asked me if I wanted to try one on and I figured, why not?
She did a quick waist measurement (I was afraid to ask what it was - I felt bloaty) then grabbed a display model (Sweetheart Victorian) and took me into a dressing room to try it on. Now, ya gotta strip down to put it on, so if that weirds you out, don't take them up on the try-on offer! Plus they have to lace you into it. I felt very Scarlett O'Hara-ish, trying to suck it all in.
Once it's on and you're forced to stand up very straight and take shallow breaths, you have to exit the dressing room to check out the full length mirror and better lighting. And wow! Look at my teensy waist!* Awesome!!
I now want one very badly. It's weird that I never heard of the place (and it seems like it's renowned for corsetry- go figure!) and just happened to wander in. But also awesome. They're really expensive - ranging anywhere from $250 or so to almost $1000! But, wow - I think if you're into it, worth the investment.
Fifth star reserved for when I actually acquire a corset. Oh, and they also have a beautiful selection of chiffon-y Edwardian tea dresses, beautiful hats and accessories and lots of georgeous petticoat style skirts.
*Don't look at your back through the ribbon lacing. The flesh has to go somewhere and well... :-( Sigh.
I recommend lingering over the sample photos. That's what I did.
Why wouldn't I want my future bride to have a dress designed at Dark Garden? It's called Dark Garden. They design corsets. Enough said.
I enjoyed watching the artisans work in the back room. They have quite a bit of skill. If you are going to pull off the corset thing, getting it made just for you seems like the way to go. Visiting Dark Garden was a lot of fun, check it out next time you get some coffee from Bluebottle.
sooooo I was not feeling that great. I was having a colossally bad work week. Went to Blue Bottle Coffee for my caffeine ba-ba for sad squinka baby. I remembered Poe's 5 star review of the place next door, Dark Garden. Poe, Yelp's own Gardener of the Dark had encouraged me to get over my shyness and try on some stuff there.
I was immediately drawn to a deep burgundy and black silken lace-up corset. I thought I would take it and try it on.
Corsetry requires a competent friend. You actually cannot do it alone. I was greeted right away by a sweet and efficient young woman artfully dressed in a way that said librarian, film noir, and Fellini filmstar. She greeted me and let me know right away she would need to measure my waist. She came back with a measure, in half a breath's time, wrapped it around my waist, saying
"mmmhmmm."
I told her my bra size.
"Not necessary"
Apparently all the corsets go by waist size and the whole of it is shaped to be brought in-in-in! by the laces, squeezing you until you are a bewbie bouquet.
"uh ok"
She showed me to the dressing room and instructed me in her melodic soft library voice to take off my blouse and my bra as the corset would "do everything". I undressed from the waist up. A moment later the curtain opened.
"Hello lovely! "
in the kindest voice.
I almost cried. I had had probably one of the most heartbreaking fuck-awful weeks ever. Something about feeling vulnerable, being partially naked and being called lovely by someone handing me a bundle of brocades just got to me. There was very little crybaby time, however. In short order Mother Garden (ok her name was Jessica) whisked the fabric around me, had me place my hands tightly on my waist, drew quickly on the laces until my waist held my ribs hostage and I think the ransom might have been oxygen. But after a while I actually felt giddy and unexpectedly comfortable and omg I began to think that all my years of the tussle between my head and heart, my sense and my sex...wrong. From now on my bewbies can decide what I do.
Corseted cleavage is cooperation, physics and pranayama. My custom-made corset will be ready in two weeks. Watch out heartless bottom-line business world. My breasts are making decisions.
Look at my userpic. Here, I'll make it easier for you, here's the link: http://images.yelp.com...
Don't you think I would look *amazing* in a custom-made corset???? It would suck the gut in, make my very Chinese male body look like I have hips, cleavage up to Canada, ass out to Mexico.
Corsets are the new black. I often bring my ladyfriends here to drool at the corsets (really, to get them in the sack, but you say tomato, I say to-mah-to). They've even custom-designed a wedding corset for my friend's wedding. She looked amazing, of course, cause hell, I ain't going to a wedding where my friend looks bad.
AND they make this particular lumpy sweaty Chinese boy look like an African princess! Body Dysmorphia - I OWN you! Dark Garden, bless your soul.
One of my very good friends recently got married and had her non-traditional gown made here. From the results, all i can say is that Autumn was amazing. I've never seen something custom made so professionally done and perfect.
My friend's completely custom burgundy and black outfit included a fantastic corset, a long skirt, and an amazing jacket to finish it all off. She looked like she stepped out of the pages of a Victorian magazine.
The workmanship was superb. Every last detail, down to the buttons of the jacket, the lace of the jacket sleeves, and even the ties on the back of the corset... nothing was overlooked.
Haha... maybe some of you wouldn't imagine that I'm the type to get a fabulous ensemble from here, but guess again people! I originally came in here back in my Circus Center days to get some leg guards made, after a recommendation I received during one of my classes.
I met up with Autumn who immediately treated me as if I were a member of the family, which meant I fell in love with her right away of course. She's gorgeous, talented, and charmed my pants off... quite literally. I say this because I was back fairly soon to have an entire outfit made for Folsom Street Fair that year. Of course, I got more attention from the ladies while wearing it, but that's not exactly a bad thing.
Autumn was quite up front about the projected costs and wanted to ensure I understood that this wasn't a cheap project I was about to undertake. I also remember she was quite frank about the fact that there were parts of my outfit that they didn't have much experience with, which meant it would take a little more time to fit. Hot pants for guys anyone? She steered me towards another shop which did much more work for men and I really respected that.
In the end, I told her that I would feel much more comfortable letting her see me in my skivvies than some strange man at a leather shop.... no offense to those men, as some are quite handsome. I'm a bit of a shy one, though, despite what people think. Maraming namamatay sa maling akala. All in all, I purchased a custom underbust victorian, hot pants, leg guards, and gauntlets. The ribbon used to lace them was perfect, the fit was amazing and trust me... she took her time making sure it fit every part of me to my satisfaction. The end product was supple and delivered right on time. I couldn't have been happier. I felt like sex on a plate with a pat of butter!
I still have all of my items and they've held up quite well over time (except for that time a jealous tranny scratched my corset...talk about being pissed off). If only I were as thin now as I was then, but fortunately everything still fits. So now I feel like sex on a plate with a whole stick of butter ;-).
I wholeheartedly recommend this shop for attention to detail and for Autumn's welcoming nature; not to mention the gorgeous leather/fabrics/custom work. She even convinced me do a small fashion show for her shop once because not many guys wear corsets I imagine. The high point of the night was hearing the announcer praise the gorgeous women who would be modeling only to look at me with shock and state "Damn, there's even a dude back there!."
After some initial indecision about my wedding dress, I decided to go with my dream dress, a custom corset and matching a-line skirt. The ladies of the dark garden were terrific to work with, worked tirelessly to meet my relatively small dress budget, and gave me an all around fabulous dress in quite a short time frame. And who doesn't love a small waist and uplifted boobs in a wedding dress? Nobody.
I also own another "everyday" corset from them and have been nothing but pleased with it and how I can wear it to play air hockey to distract my opponents! (Bwahahaha!) If you can, I recommend buying a ready-to-wear instead of going full custom. You can still pick your fabric and size (but no custom measuring), and it will save you some ducats.
Oh lovely, Dark Garden. How your corsets entice me...their beautiful fabric, their amazing shape...oh the love and care that must have gone into making them.
If only I could afford one...first person to offer me $350 gets a picture!
I withhold one star ONLY because I have only ordered my garment - so I cannot vouch for finished product yet. I will revise when I can. Buuuuut, I can vouch for the fact that I was going to take the 26 down Valencia on my way back home but instead walked the entire way back from Hayes Valley because I was in the most amazing amazing mood, which is a hard place to get to during wedding planning. I had a huge smile plastered on my face for all 20 blocks, because you see, Dark Garden helped my wedding dress come alive.
I found a great dress a Recapture Vintage in Rockridge, and KNEW it was a fabulous dress, but the pictures of me wearing it were just not quite fabulous. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Yes, the dress needed to be altered, yes, it needed some nipping and tucking, yes it was pretty, but something just seemed to be missing. I had the idea that I'd try on some structured foundational undergarments to give my unstructured dress some oomph, which led me to Dark Garden. When I saw myself wearing my dress with the corset, I almost went into shock. I was in disbelief. My dress went from being "a great deal at a vintage shop" to a truly stunning gown. Unfortunately, I was also a little shocked at the potential cost for a custom-altered full over-bust corset in a nice fabric. I had to sleep on it, but couldn't get over how special the corset made me feel in my dress.
Ultimately, I came up with a fabulous middle ground solution - a ready-to-wear waist cincher in a gorgeous fabric (its called 'Taupe Peacock.' How awesome is that), that didn't require any alterations. More affordable, more versatile for my needs, yet still a very luxurious, special, sexy piece for my wedding day - and best of all - I can wear it any time I want to take the va-voom up to 11. My permagrin is coming back now, just thinking about it. I might even be tearing up, just a little. Thank you Autumn, Jessica and Andrea!
I wish I could afford the beauty I see before me in this shop.
I have a hankering for a good corset, but I just haven't reached the point in my financial career where spending half my rent to suck in my gut is a valid "to do" on my weekends.
I've seen their work at Folsom Street, the details and craftsmanship are wonderful. Beautiful pieces and styles. A lil something for everyone, every shape and size. Maybe one day I'll pamper myself and pay someone to contain my curves. Until then, I'm all about control top fishnets.
Wow - Shannon - that photo of your wedding dress is STUNNING.
The sleeves are divine! And I love the collar too... and the way the fabric flowed off your corseted waist. Really lovely.
Kudos to Autumn for yet another amazing wedding dress.
Dark Garden is the best place to have a costume, corset or wedding dress made. I've had all three… Read more »
I am totally and completely smitten with the Dark Garden, a store devoted to the corset. Which is unusual considering that I have never purchased anything here...yet.
I can tell you that the customer service is excellent. I spent a good amount of time here one evening talking to the staff and learning everything there is to know about corsets, even getting a handout to help educate me about the history and different types. The sales people, men & women, were so nice and helpful, and many of them shared personal stories of their own experience with corsets.
Corsets are serious business here and you must be prepared to spend a decent amount of money (think hundreds of dollars) - especially for the custom-made ones. They have a decent off-the-rack offering, but I think that with such a personal garment your money is best spent getting something that is designed to fit you perfectly.
I love this store because it is so different than any other in San Francisco - so specialized, blending the rare art of couture with a slightly fetishist attitude. It is the opposite of mass-produced garments. You would expect to find it in London or Paris, not in an alley in Hayes Valley. That's what makes it so compelling - its very existence, and the thought of the beautiful garment that is waiting there to be created just for you.
Worth every penny.
Worth every moment of waiting for your couture piece to be created.
Sometimes, the wait can be long or communication gets lost - but it's not that difficult to pick up the phone and check on things. When you do, they jump all over things immediately.
I feel special when I go here, and multiple trips to be measured and refitted puts me back to the first statement: Worth, Every, Penny.
I happily spend the few extra hundred here rather than at fetish retailers for fetish corsets.
Their wedding designs and fabric corsets are also perfection. FABULOUS people, lovely store, all walks of life and classes represented and catered to, I have found.
Worth it.
I went to their website to investigate getting a different number and to my dismay, they've raised their prices by several hundred dollars since I had last looked.
I really do adore this shop, everything is so, so pretty.
I bought a simple waist cincher a year or so ago - it's broken in, but still just like new, they really will last you forever.
I have never met anyone who had anything but glowing things to say about their Dark Garden corsets. I own several myself (my very favorite, I purchased at the Folsom street fair in... 2002 and have worn it countless times since) They are expertly crafted and will stand up to whatever abuse you can dish out.
The women at Dark Garden know their stuff and are so, SO helpful. It is impossible to not feel like a bit of a princess while you have a wonderfully attentive staff lacing you into hourglassed perfection. Don't see what you want on the sales floor? They'll make it for you.
But be prepared to pay for it. Some people get sticker shock when they first shop for real corsetry.... It's couture people!
ps- if you ever go to the Dickens Faire, find their shop.. the window displays are awesome!
I love my custom corset from Dark Garden I feel absolutely feminine and super sexy when I wear it.
Too bad the Ex can't see me now.
His Loss Big Time........mmmmmm,oh my!
I have friends who are active in Ren Faire and Dickens Fair who swear by Dark Garden. I can see why. Dark Garden is well known amongst people in the know for their gorgeous, hand crafted corsets. I first fell in love with Dark Garden's corsets after seeing a custom corset done for a friend of mine. Most recently, we visited the Dark Garden booth at Dickens Fair (which is well worth visiting on its own!)
After our pleasant experience at the Dickens booth, my friend and I decided to pay a visit to the shop on Linden street. Since it was Christmas season, most of the stock was actually at the Dickens booth but there two lovely ladies who were there to help us. Being complete corset n00blets, we relied upon their expertise to help us.
Not willing to spend the $700 and up for a custom fit corset, we looked exclusively at the ready to wear corsets. Just as an aside, the "ready to wear" is a little bit of a misnomer. "Ready to wear" doesn't mean you'll be walking out the door with the corset; it just means that your corset will be hand crafted from a pre-existing pattern. Customs are completely cut and fitted Just For You (tm). According to the lovely ladies, the turnaround for ready to wears is three to four weeks though a rush order (turnaround of three to four days) can be had for an extra $75; customs have a turnaround of 7 to 8 weeks.
All in all, our experience at the shop was great. The girls were dead helpful with helping us decide what to get as well as walking us through the process of picking our fabric, our trims, etc. It was so much fun! I didn't feel pressured at all. Aside from their corsets, they have a selection of lovely jewelry, stockings and skirts/dresses to try on. Really lovely stuff and a great place to find something truly unique.
Caveats:
$$$$. These corsets are all hand crafted and ARE NOT CHEAP. You do get what you pay for, though.
Also: Parking? What parking? The shop is located in San Francisco. 'Nuff said.
I still have the plain black waist cincher I bought at DG in 2001 for a mere $110. It felt like a fortune, but it was worth every penny even then. And now, seven years later, it has been worn hundreds of times and still turns heads and gets compliments every time I wear it.
I just got my third corset made for my upcoming wedding to Mr. Steve23 - yay! It looks gorgeous. Autumn is awesome. She not only helped me pick out the perfect fabric for the corset, but also happened to tell me about a vintage dress she saw that would make the *perfect* wedding dress. And, she was right. I bought it. See my review of Icon Vintage for more on that.
Moral of the story: if you are getting married, or just want to look positively smashing - go to Dark Garden. The girls will hook (and lace) you up.
i had a custom corset made for my wedding and the service here was really great and they told me it would take a month to make but they rushed it for me and it took only two weeks. its expensive but i think its worth it to have at least one in your closet.
Autumn custom made my wedding dress or should I say corset, skirt, shall and veil. It was just before valentines day and she added gorgeous red accents. She is a real pro! Her team even came to the temple to get me all tied up and make sure the dress looked perfect.
PS. I can wear the corset, skirt and shall again - to other events - together or as separates. I could even wear the veil but probably only for Halloween.
I can't give high enough praise to the folks at Dark Garden. They are truly professionals and artists. Their skill is readily apparent with just a glance through their window, but more interesting work is in their portfolio books in their waiting area.
They did some custom work for me on a dress well outside their typical style. They contributed both ideas and actual sewing work, and did a fabulous job with both.
My Dark Garden corset is one of my most prized possessions. I just wish I had more places to wear it to.
They meticulously measure every inch of your body to make sure you get a perfect fit. You choose everything from the fabric, the ribbon, how many garters you want...everything!
I agree, the experience makes you feel like a princess. The wait is long, but so worth it!
Thank you W.B. for a gift I'll cherish forever.
I got a corset made for me here. A bit expensive but the final corset was a perfect fit. Awesome quality. You get what you pay for. Cool staff, cool store. Top notch corsets. I definitely would go back again.
You want a cheap corset to go clubbing for one night? This is not the place. Their corsets will last you a lifetime.
You have to wait a week or so for them to make it for you. They take all of your measurements first. Talk about custom. You get to choose the fabric/materials also as well as wha tstyle you like.
B A D A S S !
Dark Garden is a local jewel.
I have a custom victorian corset from Dark Garden. They have lovely fabrics in house, however; I decided to bring in my own silk so that I would have a one of a kind. How amazing it is to have a garment where *every millimeter of it was made for my body*. The compliments and wows I receive when I wear it are attributable to the fabulous seamstress, Autumn. The seams and curves are flawless.
If you are willing to pay for quality and worksmanship, Dark Garden is the place for you.
If the off- the rack sizes work for your body, go for it and save a few hundred bucks.
If you want just a corset and are willing to spend just a couple hundred or if you can only spend a couple hundred bucks, this is not your store. But come back when you have the dough!
Check out their jewelry around the holidays, they get great stuff in.
Fabulous place for super sexy stockings too.
"24 inches"
I want another waist cincher & I want it now (black cotton poplin, please.) Superb. Quality.
My only beef & it's so small (let's just call it a cutlet) is that they only use a chrome-tone grommet for the lacing. You can not request a color (like Black for no contrast with my black cotton poplin) or a finish like brass, etc. I wish they were completly custom, in that regards.
Boy, I sounds picky. Quick, shove some embriodered silk into my mouth & I'll shut up.
UPDATE: I received a Yelp message from Jessica B who assured me that they now offer more custom finishes for grommets: black, brass, etc. My cutlet sized beef is now rendered... Kaput. I'll be in shortly.
This place is *THE SPOT* for a Corset, hands down.
Seriously, if they can't get you what you want, you don't deserve it.
I can't say enough wonderful things about Dark Garden...
I've gotten several pieces from them over the years, and can always spot a Dark Garden corset from a mile away.
No other product compares to their attention to detail.
So it was an obvious choice as to where to go for my wedding dress.
We designed the dress from the ground up: it had to be "engineered" to accomodate my specific movement needs- dancing, sword fighting...
The result was breath taking- see for yourself in my photos!
I did it...I actually did it and love it...I bought my first corset and felt so wonderful and sexy....recently gained some weight and still felt sexy! The first of many I'm sure...so worth the expense...it makes all my old dresses look amazing! Instead of spending money on new dresses I can wear what I have and the corset makes it look so different...like a whole new dress...a whole new body
I have no business giving 5 stars to a business I have never purchased and item from....but just the… Read more »
Curious about how a 22 inch waist would look...I barely ate for two days in anticipation of being strapped into this luxurious handmade garment. I dare any of you young ladies out there to even try to walk in this store without ordering one of these handmade goodies. The pieces are just stunning and you can choose fabric and borders and give it a personal touch or add on a garter option (of course I did). The experience will make you feel like a princess. It is very pampering.
A few weeks after my order, the designer contacted me with the sweetest voice message ever about how my Corset was ready. My husband and I triumphantly made our way to the Dark Garden, giddy and giggling the whole way in anticipation. It was a rainy afternoon and in anticipation of wanting to wear the corset out the door, well, I basically showed up in a skirt and boots and long trench (no I didn't flash anyone on the way -- this comes later). My "lady in waiting" as she so claimed, warned me as she attached the front and laced the back: "be careful if you are drinking tonight as you will get light-headed". I responded, "you are too late - we just polished off a bottle of champagne and a bottle of pinot at Hotel Biron". Eating at my normal rate was not an option as I still needed to wear it in a bit. Do restrict the urge to flash people on the street just because you are feeling a heightened sense of confidence due to the fact that you are forced to walk so erect that you have suddenly grown an extra couple inches.
In addition to my addiction to yelp and sore ribs, I am now addicted to researching the history (& increased recent popularity) of corsets. I am already saving up for my next which will be a lighter shade and different fabric.
This is such a unique store in SF - you must check it out for yourself!
My friend and her husband had been trying to get me into a corset for months. Finally, at the Dickens Fair last December (2008), they got me to try on a corset--I liked what I saw in the mirror. ;) But I'll admit, a corset doesn't come cheaply, and it is a "want" not a need, so I didn't buy one at the time.
For Christmas, my friends bought me a gift certificate for Dark Garden, so now I had an incentive to buy a corset. I went in at the end of January to buy a corset. I thankfully fit the Made to Order Sweetheart Victorian quite well, so didn't need to spring for a Custom corset. Sarah who measured me and helped me out with the final decision made a suggestion that I shorten the corset, though, so I did pay for a pattern adjustment (great advice, since I have a shorter torso than "average"--I do normally wear petites at Banana Republic, for example).
I have to be honest--my experience since my initial visit to the store came with some bumps along the way (fabric I had chosen had been discontinued, miscommunication with one of the staff members, feeling like perhaps this purchase just was not meant to be...), but in the end when I finally asked to speak with Autumn (after my friend insisted that she had a fabulous experience, my experience sounded atypical, so I should speak with Autumn), Autumn made things right.
You can tell Autumn genuinely seeks to know what the customer wants, and she gives suggestions based on her observations; she will also think through your request (fabric, pattern, etc.) and give you her genuine opinion based on thinking through to the final product ("that might not look so great, but what about...?"). I am willing to bet that Autumn is THE reason for Dark Garden's success over the years (plus her trusty shopkeeper Jessica--squinka c's description is spot on: "librarian, film noir, and Fellini filmstar"). Don't get me wrong--everybody else tried to make things right along the way, and Sarah was very sweet and helpful as well, but things were just out of everybody else's control my particular situation.
While Autumn is careful to caveat that each suggestion is based on her own preference, my 120% satisfaction with the end product tells me that you should trust Autumn if you have the opportunity to work with her. Autumn not only has impeccable taste, but is a fantastic designer who cares about her customers. I wholeheartedly recommend this business, and if any issues come up, you shouldn't hesitate to talk to Autumn, because she really has the gift and experience to know what you're looking for (amazing, even as I bumbled along in my explanation to her of what was going wrong, what I was looking for). I think for the most part, things could go smoothly without having to involve Autumn, but I'm just throwing it out there that if you are unhappy with the way things are going along the way, don't be afraid to ask to discuss with Autumn rather than walk away, because she will hear you out.
When (if? lol) I ever get married, my friend insists I need to go back to buy a corset, and I frankly have to agree. In the meantime, I am dreaming about the fabric I will choose for my next (non-bridal) corset. :)
In addition to their fabulous corsets, Dark Garden also makes custom dresses of all kinds, including wedding dresses. I had mine made there, and the bottom line is that they did a fantastic job, but they also went substantially over budget and the dress wasn't delivered until the day before the wedding (!). I was initially quoted a price of $2500 including the dress and a corset to wear under it, and it was supposed to be done about a month ahead of time.
The plan was to make the corset first and then make the dress, so as to tailor the dress to my figure *in* the corset. Unfortunately, the corset turned out to be a real challenge. I'm a hard-to-fit 36G -- ginormous boobs supported by a relatively small ribcage. (And as they are totally natural, they *do not* stay up by themselves.) The first couple mock-ups for the corset simply didn't work; Autumn was getting really frustrated and I was starting to get scared, because we were slipping behind schedule substantially. She finally worked out the corset issues and we got started on the dress itself, which was a pretty complicated affair too -- velvet with sweeping slashed sleeves and a high collar.
I was putting down regular deposits every time I went, and I figured we would probably end up going over the initial estimate with all the complications, but somehow what with the panic around getting the dress done on time, nobody updated me as to what the final figure was actually looking like. It ended up being $5000 instead of $2500 (or even the $3500 I was budgeting inside my head), which was not a great surprise to have the day before the wedding, as you might imagine.
I wasn't happy about the sticker shock, but I swallowed hard and smiled and put the bill on a credit card. In the end I still recommend Dark Garden. I'm hard to fit; that's not their fault, and they succeeded magnificently despite what I imagine must have been some late nights in the shop as my wedding date approached. I loooooove my dress (and my sexy corset!). I *did* feel beautiful walking down the aisle, because I had a dress that flattered my challenging figure in a way no off-the-rack dress possibly could have. On a personal level, I like Autumn and the whole Dark Garden team a good deal.
So I recommend them with the reservation that, while they *can* do whatever you want, they're not necessarily great about accurately estimating cost and delivery time. If you choose them for a big project with a definite deadline, you should be really proactive about asking for regularly updated cost/schedule estimates.
Here's a picture of The Amazing Dress: http://farm1.static.fl...
With so much of today's clothing being some kinda bland, lame, vanilla banana republic khaki...its so refreshing to find places that make such amazing amazing custom fit clothes- especially things as insanely sexy as a corset. Damn fellas- if that big b-day is coming up, or Christmas or Hanukkah or "i need to score some more points" day- definitely put a custom corset at the top of the list. Trust me, your girl is going to look waaaay sexier wearing that than any bling from the Shane company (no offense Tom Shane- but you got to understand ;) ). Alyscia is amazing- and once she even helped me scheme up the greatest surprise gift ever. Between that and blue bottle next door- it definitely qualifies for one of the bestest- and most dangerous- blocks in the city.
This is where I'll finally indulge my Dr. Frankenfurter fantasy - beautiful custom corsets.
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Fall Super Scooter Sale!
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