The Seamstress – Gothic Clothing & Tailoring.

There has been a serious rennaissance in gothic influence on couture designers at catwalk shows across the world recently, with some outstandingly dark collections from Yohji Yamamoto, Alexander McQueen, Gaultier, Paul Smith and of course Vivienne Westwood.

Probably the ones which made the most impact on me was the Yamamoto womenswear collection, with phenomenal tailored styles which any corporate goth could hold their head up high in, and the gents collection from Ralph Lauren’s Purple Label – fantastic pin-stripes, 3 piece suits and sharp lines without a polo shirt in sight thank heavens!

However, what we wondered was who is influencing who? There has been an explosion in the US goth clothing market recently, with designers such as Kambriel and Taeden Hall of Gloomth producing primarily gothic clothing which seems to sit above the catwalk and drip down their sanguine influence on those below.

And the best thing is that these cult designers are producing their own clothing in their own countries, often running the sewing machines themselves. These guys are making fantastic clothing without the fantasy pricetags – check out our favourite Gothic Designers.

the apprentice.

Though not strictly Goth,  Kathryn Rolfe’s Lingerie is a shop every woman needs to visit at least once in her life. No matter what size or shape you are, Kathryn will make you feel special. Set aside a couple of hours and make the trip. Her full fitting service is an experience not to be missed! The lingerie is sourced from some of the best in europe, it fits and lasts accordingly. The care and attention you will recieve is surpassed by none. Treat yourself, you won’t be sorry.

Partners – do not panic, this is one shopping experience you will enjoy too. You get to sit on the sofa with a drink (“tea, coffee, or something a little stronger?”) and relax. A record of your lady’s favorite items and their size is kept, so for special occasions you can choose a present, comfortable in the knowledge that she’ll love it and it will fit. Talk about bonus points!

A very personal recommendation; I won’t shop anywhere else. I travel half way across the country for bras that fit my 32GG curves (depending on the day and the bra – something every woman will appreciate, and which Kathryn understands as the expert she is), and have been welcomed back every time since my first visit one day, hoping to escape the pain of my ill fitting scaffolding.

What is Corpgoth Clothing?

Corpgoth (don’t you just hate portmanteau words) has developed over the last 10 years or so out of necessity. Those of us who used to lounge around in colleges and universities wearing black silk and silver jewellry all day finally had to get jobs. Unfortunately wearing floor length victorian velvet dresses or huge Byronic shirts and the like isn’t really suitable for “cube” wear, so we had to make do with the mundanity of normal clothes.

So for a decade or so we had to make do with black shirts, well cut pin-stripe suits, plain dresses and skirts and nothing more exciting than a pair of patent monk shoes or boring boots, but times are changing.

There are a whole host of designers who are now looking to re-define both Goth and Corporate clothing, combining the two so you not only look like you mean business, but you could probably kill them with little more than a look if they don’t agree during the weekly meeting!

So have a search around, don’t settle for the mundane.

the apprentice.

Goth, Punk and Fetish clothing represent a mindset which challenges the norm, but unfortunately there are so few companies out there who do this with the way they work. The Seamstress has decided that this needs to change. As her apprentice I hope to convey her ideas.

Period costume and clothing provide a basis in the quality and style from which all of the clothes draw their influences. Using traditional techniques from period tailoring, hand-knitting, crochet and embroidery, The Seamstress creates some of the most imaginative and authentic pieces available.

With an emphasis on tailored, hand-made clothing which can either be worn every day, or kept safe in the realms of darkness (though not too dark – you need someone to see how good you look!), we hope to introduce people to the very best in cult clothing across the net.