05/26/2026
Some shots from my trip to the Fitchburg Historical Society archive as I research for my next collection.
This corset was made in Paris in the 1800s. I have seen a lot of corset styles from that era, but I had never seen removable underarm pads before and immediately loved that concept. Iโve designed tops before with open or missing underarm areas, and I love the idea of designing around wear, care, and longevity. These pads could be removed and washed separately, helping preserve the garment itself.
I also got to look through a fabric merchantโs notebook and fabric samples from Fitchburgโs mill days. Seeing these small pieces of material history and imagining the lives attached to them feels really special.
Want to see how these ideas transform into upcycled looks for the show? Come out August 29. Details pinned on my profile ๐๐