ROMANTASY: Corsets: BR Creations

Ruth Johnson joins Ann at her
boutique for a lecture on corsets, 1994

Farewell Ruth!

After fourteen years of productive association with a superb corset maker, we are saddened on April 15, 2004, to announce Ruth Johnson's ROMANTASY retirement. As our testament to her corsets' tight-lacing quality, comfort, and inimitable hourglass shape, and for your enjoyment, we will retain the BR creations webpage and photographs on our site. We wish the Johnson's much happiness, and the certainty that they have contributed substantiallly to the rebirth of corseting and tight-lacing in this country and abroad.

Ann models her simple black satin BR victorian, adorned with irridescent bows and a set of hot pink busk covers by Robby, for a "Geisha Girl" look!

BR Creations corset company was well-known for over 25-years for its hourglass figure corsets, and especially for the durability and waist-training qualities of its sturdy and elegant productions. ROMANTASY is proud to have offered these corsets to well over a thousand clients since we first opened our former retail boutique on January 3, 2000, (in the Marina District of San Francisco) until the owner, Ruth Johnson, retired 14 years later. Ann counts no less that eighteen BR Corsets in her personal wardrobe. Many well-known tight-lacers, and owner Ann, effectively "trained" their waists in Ruth's comfortable, sturdy corsets.

Because Ruth personally oversaw the finishing of each garment and took orders from around the world, clients waited patiently, sometimes for months, for her lovely products. The demands for her garments made her workload such that only one style (under-the-bust Victorian) was offered, and Ruth excelled in that specialty. Our clients customized their BR corsets using various colors, laces and trims, and fabrics. Ruth offered exquisite leather creations and rolled piping to contrast with outer bone casings. She was exceedingly particular to choose high quality cotton-backed satin and top quality velvet trims and braids to finish off a corset, plus double steel stays. We hope you enjoy below photos of beautiful BR Creations corsets and in the BR Creations photo gallery. You are invited to send comments and photos you would like included.

Styles:

Basic Victorian Corset
This corset has velvet top and bottom trim but is otherwise unadorned.

Ann's green Victorian.

The Gwendolyn Corset
This corset has 1/4" or 1/2" lace up the sides of the front Bask and back panels, and the same lace under the top and above the bottom velvet trims. Lace on the corset may be replaced by piping for a small additional charge.

The Gwendolyn Corset with Bottom Lace
This corset has 1/4" or 1/2" lace up the sides of the front busk and back panel, the same lace under the top and above the bottom velvet trims, and also 1 1/2" lace below the bottom velvet trim. Lace on the corset may be replaced by piping for a small additional charge.

Corset with Lace or Fabric Stay Pocket Piping
This corset has tiny lace or fabric piping up the sides of the front busk and back panel and also up the sides of each stay pocket, as well as under the top and above the bottom velvet trims.

Ann's green and black brocade Victorian, quite elegant for an evening gown or over a cocktail dress.

Ann's peacock satin Victorian with each staypocket piped in black.

The Bridal Corset
This corset has wider-to-narrower lace from the top of the sides of the front busk to the bottom and also on the sides of the back panel, 1 1/2" lace below the bottom velvet trim, and also has lace covering each side panel in front and in back.