Rachel Savage’s fascination with corsets started at an early age. Her Mother suffered with a curvature of the spine, so from the age of 3 she would help her into her corset and put her stockings on every morning. Of course that corset was an orthopaedic one, but she already understood how it helped shape her posture and ease some of the discomfort she was in.
After finishing school she qualified in Fashion Design at the Grafton Academy Institute in Dublin majoring in Separates, Bridal and Evening Wear. Her collections and tailoring projects always included corsets, taking inspiration from the likes of Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano & Dolce & Gabbana. She then worked as an assistant to a well known couturier in Dublin during which time she got itchy feet to move to London and pursue another passion; theatre.
Galliano's couture work that inspires Rachel
So, with a post graduate in Musical Theatre, a year or two as a jobbing actor and a yearning for the finer things in life, she took up a position in the City. Although it was pretty alien she left the creative stuff behind for a while to develop the right side of her brain. Project-managing her way through large schemes, her fashion background kept jostling for poll-position in her imagination and, inevitably, won. Rachel eventually took the corsetry courses at Prescott & Mackay – the Beginners Corsetry at the end of November 2010 and the Advanced Corsetry in March 2011 and found her niche back behind the sewing machine again.
“I learned that to make corsets you need to have a good amount of sewing experience – I managed to get back into it quickly. It is a lot to cram into two days but the teacher Andrea Moon is extremely supportive, kind and patient so with her help it’s great,” says Rachel.
Beginners Corsetry Course at P&M
It just so happened she had a surname to coincide with the plan, and that’s when Savage Corsets began. She created Savage Corsets from her home and studio in North London, specialising in made to measure bespoke Corsets. Based on historical corsetry through the ages, Rachel has incorporated a modern edgy twist with an influence on Fashion today. Each design is unique, combining innovative creativity, luxurious fabrics and quality workmanship. According to Rachel, a woman in a bespoke corset will feel feminine, confident and above all comfortable as the body naturally takes on the corsets shape. “A Savage Corset is an investment piece that will last the owner for many years. Savage means beauty and the mission for Savage Corsets is that they will always live up to their name, so that the wearer of one will be Savage too, ” says Rachel.
Savage Corsets - from left to right: Galaxy Mistress, The Joanie, Catholic Guilt
Savage Corsets recently exhibited at the Vintage Fair at London’s South Bank and proved a firm favourite with Vintage lovers. Rachel works with clients individually to create a distinctive and personal corset.
Savage Corsets at the Vintage Festival on the Southbank, July 2011
So far most of her business has started via word of mouth and she is meeting people who are willing to help and guide her all the time.
“So being open to stuff around you is vital. I also know that people buy people, I have always retained a good network of people in my life and worked well with others. My first proper commission came from a consultant I worked with on a project. It was a birthday present for his wife and she loved it. Another interesting thing is I have a big family in San Francisco which is where the other Prescott and Mackay is based. There is a big family of Savages over there and I dream that one day my corsets will be in shops in San Francisco and London. ”
Rachel would very much like to connect with others who have done the courses or other milliners, photographers, shoes or bag designers. Please feel free to contact Rachel via her website or Facebook page in terms of collaboration, photo shoots and links sharing.
Visit Rachel’s website:
http://www.savagecorsets.com/
Savage Corset’s Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Savage-Corsets/146260082120893
Want to take a corsetry class? Check out P&M’s website here:
Beginners Corsetry – Two Days
Advanced Corsetry – Two Days
The Last - Prescott & Mackay's Blog 
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