Today we’d like to introduce you to Corrie Bree Wardlow.
Hi Corrie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been sewing since childhood. My mom taught me how to hand sew, and I made doll clothes. In junior high, I used a sewing machine for the first time and hated it! In high school, my dad got me a second-hand sewing machine, and I fell in love with creating clothes and costumes for myself and my friends! I started working at 17 full-time for a small family-run costuming company making renaissance clothing and moved on to the sample room at an outdoor clothing company specializing in extreme outdoor gear. After a few years, I had the opportunity to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC and earn a degree in accessories design. Along the way, starting in high school, I began making corsets- teaching myself to draft the patterns and find materials to construct with. I moved to LA after completing my studies at FIT in 1999, and I floated around at various jobs as well as trying to make a living doing custom sewing for others, with varying levels of success. I found pretty steady clientele in the fetish and club scenes, and then the burlesque world, along with some unique wedding and fancy-dress projects too. In 2011 a good friend had a boyfriend who was an engineer at an aerospace company, and he recommended I apply to work in the sewing department there- I was hired in 2012 and I’ve worked in 2 different sewing departments, making engine blankets, thermal components for rockets, and spacesuits for humans. I started getting involved in historical costuming as a way to let my creativity out, and I really enjoy creating 18th and 19th-century ensembles in my free time. I am also passionate about teaching others to sew and sharing my experiences with them!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a rocky road- my upbringing was unconventional, and I deal with depression and self-doubt on a daily basis. My father died a few weeks before I moved to NYC for college, and it was really a struggle to get through my grief; I threw myself into my studies, shoving my feelings aside. Working freelance style for myself for many years before the internet was a thing- that was hard- I depended on friends and word of mouth to get clients, and it was a challenge to pay rent and bills many months. Working in a corporate job and working in person through the pandemic led to severe anxiety and depression. Therapy and medication have been super helpful tools to get through difficult times.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a sewist and creator- I specialize in historical costuming and corsets, and I love to teach others the joys of sewing as well! Some of my favorite pieces I’ve made include a Victorian version of a Renaissance gown for wear to a fancy dress-up ball in Venice, Italy, for a fantastic client, my Lily Munster homage dress, and the 18th-century gowns I’ve created for myself and my best friend.
Another fun costuming genre I enjoy is mashups- using a modern character and dressing them in historical fashion- like a Tron character in a 1940s dress or Lily Munster in the 18th century.
I also perform in the burlesque world, and love making costumes for the burlesque stage- figuring out creative ways of how the pieces will come off is such a fun challenge!
I enjoy vintage dancing and creating ensembles for various eras- primarily the 1920’s to the 1940’s- although I would not want to live in the past- I believe in the quote- “vintage style, not vintage values.“
I do believe as a customer, I have a responsibility to be respectful of all cultures and traditions, especially in regard to clothing and costumes of diverse cultures. I tend to create historical costumes based on European or American fashion history.
In my current professional life, I am lucky to say I build spacesuits, which is a unique field with special skill sets.
I love to create and share my knowledge!
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
One of my favorite childhood memories is a birthday party- I had come back to my mom’s after a visit to my dad and stepmom, and she surprised me with an all-Strawberry Shortcake birthday party! Cake and games and presents! And while I was gone, she redid my bedroom in pink and white, with strawberry curtains she stitched herself and new Strawberry Shortcake bedding on a canopy bed! I felt so fancy sleeping in that floofy bed! To this day, my favorite color is pink!
Image Credits
CB Summers
Lily Munster Homage
DeEvolutionary Photography
