OBIforCORSET is a London based Couture brand, offering both bespoke service and ready-made unique upcycled Corsets from Japanese Obis. 

Highly decorated Japanese Obis -traditional wide belts- have been used for centuries to close kimonos. The purpose of the piece was to hide the waist, creating a feminine figure with no curves. In the Western world on the other hand, Corsets were made to enhance the waist to the extreme. Nowadays this purpose has changed, and Corsets are now revisited as elevated and empowering garments. 

In our Corsets, the deconstruction of the vintage Obi wants to show the journey from the original piece of fabric to its new form. As the Japanese technique of Kintsugi teaches, the signs of an event on an object, including the damage and subsequent mending, develop and enrich its value. Each panel on our Corset is clearly visible in order to emphasise this process. 

While also practicing a sustainable approach to fashion, the reuse of vintage Obis allows us to work with fabrics loaded with a story of their own. Every piece comes with intricate and fascinating representations woven within the fabric: ancient landscapes, herons, fans and flowers are only a few examples of the rich embroideries found in the original pieces. Not only are the subjects beautiful to behold, but they are also full of symbolism giving a glimpse of the Japanese culture. 

The result is a timeless garment, enriched by contributions from different cultures. It is a unique piece to wear as a tribute to the cultures of the world.  

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The brand is dedicated to deliver every Corset through the highest traditional Couture process, to make every commission a unique piece of art. Driven by a commitment to creativity and reinvention, true craftsmanship is at the very core of our product. 

The collections showcase seasonally, proposing Corsets made from Obis in varying designs, sourced for the new season from selected Japanese sellers who guarantee authenticity and history. 

The fabrics of those Obis are made with 100% silk threads majestically twisted in beautiful patterns. Before cutting them, the fabrics are reinforced with an interlining to join these threads together and bones are inserted in every stitch. The final Corset is carefully lined with the highest quality of silk fabric. An internal belt helps the closure of the Corset on the client’s waist and a shiny gold zip is positioned at the back. There are more than 50 hours behind the creation of every Corset.