03/04/2026
What if a corset was no longer about restriction… but about choice?
What if softness itself became a form of power?
Soft Armor by ŚHRī: for Corset Revival Project by International Circular Fashion Week, Conference Leeds - Circular Fashion Incubator CIC
All reworked corsets are currently on display at International Circular Fashion Week in Leeds through today, culminating in a silent auction in support of St. Gemma’s Hospice. The journey continues with upcoming media features, followed by a touring exhibition across Europe.
Being part of the revival of 150 corsets is both an honor and a responsibility.
As a designer rooted in ethical fashion, fair trade, and sustainability, this project carried deep emotional and cultural weight for me.
This piece reimagines the corset, not as something imposed, but as something chosen.
Working closely with Sri Lankan artisans has shaped how I view garments. I understand the time, discipline, and devotion required to construct a single piece. Because of that, I did not feel comfortable dismantling the corset entirely. Instead, I chose to preserve its original silhouette and reimagine it, respecting its structure while transforming its meaning.
Handcrafted flower by flower, stitch by stitch, it became a meditation on feminine resilience. Made entirely from deadstock and pre-loved materials, including silk I’ve held onto since 2016, this corset is also a reclamation of waste into something intentional and enduring.
The bobbin lace, handcrafted by a Sri Lankan artisan, Udeni, creates a dialogue between European corsetry and Sri Lankan heritage.
At the back sits a silver pendant engraved ŚHRĪ—a symbol of grace, abundance, and the divine feminine. It was a gift from someone dear to me, and I felt compelled to carry that gesture forward by embedding it into this piece.
In Sinhala, we say:
“The greatest gift is giving what was once given to you.”
Truly grateful to be part of this project.
Thank you so much, dear Andrea Benahmed Djilali and Dr. Esther Pugh, for the opportunity.
Photos by: Kevin Blake
