Wow, she's so full of talent... blessed is she to be doing full-time what she finds the most stimulating in her life!
1) Hi Amy! Can you tell us when did you get started being interested in all things fetish, all things shiny & all things lacy?
My fascination with fetish and bondage started with corsets and later, tightlacing. One afternoon, in the summer of 1984, my mother and I were watching the movie The Great Race starring Natalie Wood and Jack Lemmon. The movie is full of fantastic period costumes and at the end there is a fantastic pie throwing scene. During this scene, Natalie Wood is wearing a beautiful pink corset, and I just knew I had to have one. When I asked my mother where I could get a corset, she said that she did not know and that they are not made that way anymore. Well, I just HAD to have one, and thought I could make one. At this time, I was learning to sew, and made a few things for myself. Over a course of several weeks and trips to the library, I could not find much realistic information about corsets other than they were symbols of oppression and that they were detrimental to a woman’s health. I could not find any patterns, personal accounts, or anything beyond stuff geared towards costume history. Even so, what I found did help. The only images I could find at the small library we had in town were drawings of ladies in corsets from reprints of old Sears and Wards catalogs. Looking at the drawings of corsets from the 1890’s, I figured I could try to flatten it out and make a pattern if I base it loosely on a princess seamed bodice.
Long story short, I made my first corset that summer. Well, the first corset turned out to be a Victorian lampshade of sorts. It looked odd, but the compression that it put on my body was intoxicating! It made my waist so tiny, and the stiffness induced by the denim and steel coat-hanger stays was breathtaking! Something snapped in my head, and I knew then that this was for me. By then I learned that making a corset is challenging, but making one that fits properly and is comfortable is even more challenging.
My first sight of real latex fetish was seeing Lee Kleimann on the cover
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2) Did you start modeling before being a clothing designer or was it the other way around?
I was making corsets and clothing first. The modeling started out as a way to show off my work as a Corsetiere. When I started Wasp Creations in 1997, the only corsets I had on hand were my own that I wore daily and a few more disciplinary models used for fun times. Over the years, I have been getting more and more comfortable in front of the camera and found it a great way to “ham it up” a bit. It was a way to try out different characters and to have fun while wearing layers of latex, spandex, leather and of course tight corsets. In 2005, I began to travel more to events and cities throughout the United States, and have been fortunate to meet and work with some amazing rope artists and photographers. With the right attitude, gear, and most importantly, “partners in crime”, I become a super-spy, damsel in distress, post-nuclear fetishist, a rubber doll, a space-goddess and even a ponygirl.
3) A very obvious question, but we just have to ask: what kind of discipline do you follow in order to have such a tiny waist?
I’ve been tightlacing with my own corsets since 1991. I spend close to 22-23 hours a day, seven days a week in a corset. The only time I am out is to work out at the gym, yoga class, mountain biking, bathing, or if I have a cold. This dedication has afforded me a 37(34C)-20-38 figure. Daily tightlacing requires devotion and a true love of corsets. One must give themselves to the lace, so to speak. In many ways, the corset is your constant dominant, and dictates how deeply you can breathe, directs your posture, how much and often you eat and drink, your movements and how your clothes drape on your body. In certain ways, a corset is walking bondage, and if you are fortunate enough to find a stable person to control the laces, it can bring a positive new dimension to a D/s relationship.
4) Do you actually receive a lot of personal requests from private customers? Do some people suggest some things that are completely over the top or physically impossible?
I do! I enjoy the challenge of making clients wishes in a corset or compressive garment a reality. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to make corsets with integrated tens units and shock pads, CB series chastity devices, chastity belts, catheters, posture collars, posture correction, locks, etc. Some requests are quite over the top, and I quickly find out how dedicated a person is to the project with a few direct questions. If they are honest and serious about the project, I do my best to make it happen. There are times when I have to explain that some things will take serious dedication on their end in the lacing department and may require a partner in their life to assist or put them in a complicated corset design.
Of course, not all requests have been fetish and fashion oriented. I’ve had the chance to make many corsets for people that need them for medical reasons too. To help a person in this regard is quite rewarding.
5) So do you own a big factory in Korea with thousands of slaving workers… or do you do it all by yourself? What can be a typical day for you?
Everything made by Wasp Creations is made by hand in my studio, where it presently resides in Kansas City, Missouri. Over the past twelve years, I’ve had several assistants. Presently (April 2010), everything from answering the phones, cutting steel, sewing, and washing the floors is done by me. I really miss having an assistant, and when the economy picks up, I will be hiring.
The day usually starts by me answering email, and catching up with correspondence. Every other day, I ride my bicycle to the gym for a workout and come back to the studio. After that, the day can consist of measuring clients, drafting patterns, cutting steel, leather, latex, fabric. I tend to do my sewing/gluing in the afternoon and try to remember to have the studio cam on at that time. I typically take a nap mid afternoon, and then get back to work for a few more hours. My clients keep me busy, so if I want something for myself, I have to do that in the evenings or on my days off.
6) From the moment that you imagine a design in your head… to the instant that you actually put it around your waist for the first time, what is the usual lapse of time for the creating, sewing & realization process?
Making the new idea to a reality can take a few hours to weeks. A client gets top priority, so their designs are made first. A design for a client usually starts off with their ideas, a brief phone conversation and an agreement for them to hire me for an hour's design time. During that hour, I work up sketches, design challenges and determine if an in-house measurement session is needed. The sketches and ideas are sent to the client, and if everyone is in agreement on the design it will be put up on my waiting list. Sometimes a personal measurement session is needed. In that case, a client will visit me, or I will measure them when I am on a visit with friends or fetish event.
The time it takes to complete a new design for me, or Wasp Creations, depends on my work load and how badly I want to make the item. Most of my ideas come from my afternoon naps. For instance, while napping in July 2006, I came up with the locking corset design. When I woke up, I put it down in a sketchbook, and after a few hours, I converted one of my daily corsets to a locking model.
The process for a new design usually starts off as sketches, and most of the design challenges are addressed there. If I do not have something pressing to make for a client that afternoon, I will work on the new project. A pattern is then drafted on my old drafting table. When I am happy with the pattern, the fabric/steel/leather/rubber/latex or whatever the item consists of is cut and assembled. When I am on a roll, I can work until eleven or so at night forgetting to eat. For me, it is a tremendous rush to take an idea that comes into my head and turn it into something that can be worn to manipulate flesh in an ascetic fashion.
7) Tell us a bit about your website, waspcreations.com.
Wasp Creations is my corset company where clients can hire me to make custom corsets and fetish wear. I started the company in November 1997 and have been a full time Corsetiere since. I am very fortunate that I get to make corsets and clothing for clients all over the world. That is, what I did as a hobby as a teenager has turned into my chosen vocation. This has allowed me to make corsets that improve every year, and evolve my work.
8) You seem to have a very bubbly & cheery personality… even when all tied up and gagged! What makes you such a positive individual (or are we completely wrong)?
Well, I am having a marvelous time while tied up and gagged! Being bound and submitting to the appropriate person are things that I deeply enjoy and is part of who I am. I have had the pleasure to model and have fun with some amazing riggers, bondage experts, and photographers.
It is a tremendous rush to get dolled up, be who I am or play a role and be bound in challenging ways. Of course, much of the credit goes to those that I have had the opportunity to submit/model. Their direction, style, presence and expertise make it a dream to be with them. Each of those that I’ve been with has their own style and wants, and it is my desire to feed those wants and make it just as much fun for them as it is for me. If all goes well, we have a great time, create some great memories, photos and maybe have some good dark chocolate afterwards.
9) A more personal question (we love those!): do you go to a lot of fetish events to promote your products and have fun? And… do you find time to play in your intimate time? Any favorite activities (hihihi!)?
Yes, I do travel to many fetish events. My favorites are those that are slanted a bit more towards Fetish and Bondage. This affords me the chance to wear latex and deep fetish wear for days on end with like minded people. When I travel, I have a few clients lined up in the destination city for a personalized consultation. This allows me to mix my fun with “work” and gives me the opportunity to measure those that are unable to visit my studio.
Do I find time to play in my intimate time? On occasion I get play dates, so I do get to have fun every once in a while. Modeling is fun and helps in between these occasions, and is probably why I have that silly grin on my face when the shutter snaps.
My favorite fetish activities? Oh, there are many! When it comes to fetish clothing, my mantras are: “The tighter the better” and “I find comfort in discomfort”. And so, I am a compression junkie, and have an obsession with corsets, girdles and latex catsuits. These articles of clothing are quite invigorating, and at times can really limit mobility. For instance, a thick latex catsuit that is skin tight is a bit like resistance training, and after a few hours of wearing it and moving around, my body is pretty tired.
I am also a bondage/discipline enthusiast. To spend hours in bondage and training for specific tasks and uses is a delight. Another favorite activity is to go out in public wearing full fetish gear. It’s a blast to talk to others and show that latex or exotic clothing that excites you does not have to stay inside or at a fetish event. There are many other favorite things, but its fun to retain a bit of mystery.
10) Is there any other designer(s) out there that you admire? Is there something in popular culture that inspires you a lot?
Mr. Jeroen van der Klis is my favorite contemporary Corsetier. His work is astounding, beautiful and inspiring. Mr. Pearl also is a Corsetier that I admire as his work is remarkable and he is a tightlacer too. There are many other contemporary corset makers that I enjoy too. I also hold deep admiration for the retired Diana Medique, the late Michael Garrod, the Gardners, and the many, many unknown Corsetieres of the last century. It’s a bit sad that the work and names of so many of the Corsetieres who have offered personal service to clients in the past have been lost to the ether. I suppose many professions are like that.
I make my latex clothing and corsets for myself these days, but there are times when I see a design by another designer and I must have it. It is really nice to have something made just for you by another person or to open a box from an admirer that contains latex. There are so many fantastic latex clothing makers these days. I love the work of Rubber 55, Polymorphe, Studio Gum, Kunzmann, Libidex, House of Harlot and Vex.
In popular culture, I am inspired by costumes in sci-fi. I am also fascinated by flight pressure suits and EVA suits used by astronauts. If I was not a Corsetiere, my dream job would be to work for NASA developing EVA and environmental suits. Maybe Virgin Galactic will hire me? Anyone have Richard Branson’s number?
11) Any favorite activities to do when it’s just time to relax?
I enjoy mountain biking a great deal. I do so in a special sport corset that I’ve designed that does not limit my lung capacity too much and helps keep my back in alignment. I also enjoy hiking and mountain climbing too. I have to leave the corset behind when mountain climbing, as it’s a bit of a challenge to get enough air above the tree-line. I am an amateur astronomer too. I enjoy taking trips to areas with dark skies and looking at old light through my telescope. One of the perks of living in “fly over country” is that the dark skies are just an hour away. Of course, wearing fetish wear and being in bondage is relaxing too. I wish there was some kind of spa I could visit for weekly (mis)treatments. One can dream...
12) Can we expect a little visit from you in Montreal in the near future? Lots of local Sirens would like to try out your creations, you know!!! :D
I have plans to attend the Montreal Fetish weekend this year. If I am a good girl, I just might be part of a demonstration or two. I am looking forward to visiting your city, as the photos I’ve seen show such a fun town. I’ll be sure to overpack my bags full of corsets, heels and latex for the trip.