My designer inspired corset belt offers the quality and look of the original (the 'undone corset belt' from Dehanche) for a fraction of the original's cost.
Corset Belt: Culte du Cuir | Model: @KLLSYM
I was browsing Instagram reels and I saw it...I needed it immediately. I scoured the reel's caption and comments until I found the name of the designer, and promptly input the name into google. Voila! There it was: the 'undone corset belt' by Dehanche. My heart sank when I saw the price...$480! Dehanche may be selling their belt at a fair price for their business - they invest in advertising, professional photoshoots, their business handles a high volume of orders, and their belt is high quality. If you have the money and you want to purchase the original, I'm not here to stop you. I'm here for those who find themselves in the same position I was in that day...pretty bummed. I was simply not in a financial position to spend that kind of money on a belt, no matter how beautiful, or how badly I wanted it.
But I did have something many of you might not have: leather working tools and experience. I'd been dabbling in leather work since 2011 and at the time, had recently picked it back up more seriously, incorporating leather work into my handcrafted statement jewelry.
I've always been gifted at replication, mostly in drawing and painting, but the same skillset applies to textiles - the ability to analyze and replicate the proportion and shape of almost any item. So I made a pattern for the body of the belt, purchased a 12x24" piece of leather, and carefully cut my pattern out of the leather. When I made my first prototype, I hadn't yet found leather strapping that was thin and supple enough to be tied, so I improvised to create a variation with buckles and a small strap at the back - this gave the same silhouette, just without the tie detail.
I eventually found strapping that is supple and has a little stretch to it, and after reinforcing the ends so it would hold up to a buckle, I made tie straps that were interchangeable with the shorter strap version...and the 'Two Ways Corset Belt with Tie Straps' came to be!
Today, I have several variations of this designer inspired corset belt available, with different types of interchangeable straps, as well as a version with fixed straps most similar to the originals; additionally I make this belt in several colors, and recently added a luxury version made using Italian Vachette leather!
So what do you sacrifice when you opt for my designer inspired version, versus the original? Honestly, not much! I don't have a designer brand name, and there are certainly differences in the construction - I handcraft each of my belts; setting every rivet and sewing every stitch by hand. I don't have the machining tools that I would assume are involved in parts of the originals production.
What I do offer is exceptional quality: I use high quality full grain leather to make my corset belts. They are made to be durable and last season after season. Full grain leather is the most valuable layer, it's not only the most durable, but it gets better with age, deepening in color.
Responsible Sourcing: All of my leather is sourced from ethical and eco-conscious tanneries located in Europe; so you can purchase anything from my shop knowing that you aren't supporting the exploitation of workers or irresponsible practices that pollute the environment. Transparency is key when you claim your product is responsibly sourced: my leather supplier for oil tanned leather is European Leather Work - they are a family owned and operated supplier that is located in Southern California. My line of Vachetta leather pieces are all made with leather tanned at Valdibrana Conceria, one of the premier tanneries located in Tuscany, Italy. Vachetta leather is a vegetable tanned leather, which means in addition to higher quality and increased longevity, the tanning method used is the most eco-conscious method for tanning leather.
Couture without the cost: Did you know that the term 'couture' refers to the production of a garment or fashion accessory for a specific customer, customized to their preferences and measurements? That's exactly what Culte du Cuir provides. My pieces are made to measure; not only is every piece made to your specific measurements (or preferred size range), you can also request the hardware color you prefer, and ask for customized alterations to any piece (this piece for example, can be made to a shorter height at the front, for those with a shorter torso).
Sustainable practices: Because of the made to measure production, there is no excess stock to be disposed of. The fashion industry generates a massive amount of waste; around 85% of all textiles produced by the fashion industry end up in landfills...worse still - one in every five items produced by the industry reaches landfills without ever being worn. This is largely due to mass production; pieces are made in specific sizes, and whatever doesn't sell usually goes to waste. Designer fashion houses, and smaller designers alike, are notorious for destroying their excess pieces before disposing of them, ensuring that they cannot be used. This gross practice is to 'preserve' the exclusivity of the brand - they would rather see perfect items destroyed and in landfills than being worn or used by those in need.
I don't destroy or dispose of any of my work - if it can't be sold in a sample sale, I take the piece apart and use the materials for other prototypes I'm working on. Leftover leather pieces too small to be used in my belts or harnesses are set aside to be used in my jewelry pieces as well as my smaller items, such as keychains.
The same look at a fraction of the cost: A picture is worth a thousand words....
Dehanche via Outfitidentifier.com Culte du Cuir Simple Corset Belt in Vanilla
Dehanche via Outfitidentifier.com @KLLYSM in Culte du Cuir
Inclusivity: Culte du Cuir is a fully inclusive small business. Owned and operated solely by the designer and leather crafter who founded the brand in late September, 2023. Inclusivity is one of the key missions for the brand - not only by making luxury quality pieces more accessible, but by making them for all bodies.
Instead of a 'one size fits all' (which really means one size fits some), this corset belt is customized to fit your body and give you the same look and silhouette. The body of the belt can be made shorter if you're very petite, longer if you are curvier, and adjusted in height for longer or shorter torsos. Straps are cut to the length needed to give you the same look and functionality at every size.
Luxury Experience: While I work hard to maintain prices that are more accessible; I also work hard to provide a luxury experience from start to finish. This is still Couture, after all, and while a fraction of the designer price, these are still investment pieces.
After your piece is carefully handcrafted to your specifications, it is thoughtfully packaged to make receiving it just as special. Packaging is as sleek and beautiful as what's inside (perfectly gift-worthy as well - so whether you're purchasing a gift for yourself or someone else, you're guaranteed a luxurious unboxing experience).
Personalized Customer Service: Do you have any questions about this or any other piece? Whether you reach out via email (hello@culteducuir.com), the website contact form, or DM on Instagram or TikTok, you'll receive a response directly from me (I'm Emily by the way - visit the About section to put a face to the name). I am happy to answer any question or inquiry!
Because each piece is made specifically for you and to your measurements, I'm not able to accept returns - but please don't think you're just left out in the cold if you have an issue. I'm a small business owner - each and every customer is critical to the success of what I've built. If you have any issue at all with your order, please reach out to me, and I will work with you to find a resolution. If I've made an error in sizing, I will get a replacement to you quickly. If you need your piece refitted because of a change in your weight, I'm happy to do that for you, no matter how long you've had the piece - the service is complimentary, you'll just need to cover shipping costs. I'm invested in each and every purchase - my aim is never to meet your expectations, but to exceed them.
Here's what my clients are saying about my
designer inspired corset belts...
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