Support the creation of our next collection

Hello, I’m Autumn Adamme, founder and lead designer of Dark Garden Unique Corsetry.

We are seeking support for our upcoming collection production and release.

Along with my Director of Design, Kalico Delafey and Creative Director Marianne Faulkner, my team and I have been creating world class corsetry and fine apparel for three decades, but we’re so much more than just a fashion company.

We strive to always remain ahead of the curve of modern corsetry, and also provide a place of inspiration for humans of all kinds. Not only do we produce exceptional garments, but we also create visually stunning imagery that has been inclusive for decades, because we truly believe all people deserve to feel seen and included.

Nearly every year we release one new collection, which we debut in a stage show at The annual Edwardian Ball in San Francisco.

For months before creation begins, we three designers and our production manager Shelby Pujol meet to design a cohesive look for the collection, and then decide on models.

From there we draft patterns, source fabrics, create prototypes, do fittings, perfect the patterns, do more fittings, then begin cutting and sewing the garments.

The production of the garments and accessories that we show is only the beginning.

We coordinate fitting and rehearsal time with performers and models, meet with makeup and hair artists, photographers, our choreographer, the event staff of the Ball, lighting designer, sound engineer, stage managers, and dressers, not to mention our own production staff and content creators.

The $15,000 we’re seeking is actually just a start. The expense of all of the above is nearly unquantifiable as so many people are involved.

Labor is our greatest expense, followed by materials.

In addition to the raw cost of garment and show production, the time away from sewing income-producing garments affects our bottom line.

As everyone has experienced, the last three years have been absolutely brutal for businesses of all kinds, not least of all small, creative based endeavors.

In addition to the ever changing supply chain landscape, the cost of living in San Francisco has leapt, meaning that our labor costs have needed to increase to attempt to keep up. We put off raising prices longer than we should have, and are struggling to catch up. All of this has added up to us not having been able to put aside nearly as much for the design and production of the collection than is needed.

By donating to this effort you are supporting creatives of many kinds, not least of all our highly skilled production staff of stitchers, cutters, pattern drafters, and we the designers and fitters.

By supporting artists, you will be contributing to the beauty in the world.

It’s always the case that an enterprise such as Dark Garden relies entirely on the goodwill of our friends, clients, and followers. It’s especially true right now.

Please support at any level that you can. Share this far and wide - thank you !!