Dark Garden: New Orleans, New Boutique!

Just... Wow.
about 5 years ago – Sat, Feb 16, 2019 at 05:20:32 AM

You all are knocking our silk stockings off. I'm in awe – we've tipped over $45,000. I can't even fathom what the next 103 minutes might bring.

Thank you all times infinity. Every contribution, every share, every like has brought us to this point. We love you.

Corset hugs,

Marianne

A Few Limited Rewards Are Still Available!
over 5 years ago – Fri, Feb 15, 2019 at 01:03:33 PM

Do you know what time it is? IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN. I hope you're all thinking about Gob Bluth now. (It's Marianne again... in case you couldn't guess.)

As the campaign draws to a close, I want to give an update on some of our more limited rewards that are still available!

As I was writing this, one last VIP Ticket for Fête de Cupid was freed up! You can thank Laurie, who opted to bring a GA date instead of flying solo in VIP.

Also, if you've been tempted by multiple rewards, just send us a message or leave a comment with the rewards you'd like. You'll see we've created many custom bundles along the way!

• If you want the Dark Garden experience brought to you, consider our Traveling Fitting Party! For $5000, Autumn and an assistant (probably me!) will fly anywhere in the US with enough corsets to fit 10 people. Your pledge also includes a $2000 credit towards any purchases made at the party.
• Love art? How about our $1000 Behind the Scenes Museum Excursion? Bring up to 4 friends and get an up close and personal look at pieces not currently on display. Specific areas of interest will be accommodated to the extent of the museum collection's offerings. Plus, everyone in your party gets a pin and a t-shirt.
• Have you always wanted to feel like a glamorous movie star, gracing a magazine cover... or centerfold? Shoot a Boudoir Photo Session with Perry Gallagher in Southern California for $700 and get 3 edited images plus a large format print. Adding to the pampering, Perry will come to the location of your choosing in LA or San Diego county! With your permission, you can even be a DG cover girl – wear your corset and we'll gladly feature it on our website!
• Private Fitting Parties are the way to go for SF locals or visitors! Your $500 pledge includes a $250 credit towards any purchases made by you or up to 5 of your friends. (This reward isn't actually limited, but it is delightful!)
• Work with Autumn herself to discover the best silhouettes, lengths, and colors in a Personal Style Consultation! Once you understand what elements you love on yourself, you can carry that knowledge forth whether you're shopping at a designer store or in your own closet. This $300 reward is available in San Francisco, New Orleans, or via video chat.
• Design your dream ensemble with me via my Couture Consultation & Original Sketch! After this reward sold out, I added two space for two more backers. (I should probably also mention that I feel very, very flattered.) Like Autumn, I can meet with you in either SF, NOLA, or via video chat. I'll sketch and sign a color rendering of your custom look – yours to keep for $250. If you would like to see your ensemble come to life, your pledge will count as a deposit towards its creation.

~Marianne Faulkner

Associate Creative Director

We Did It!!
over 5 years ago – Fri, Feb 15, 2019 at 12:52:58 PM

Oh my goodness!! I was literally just writing a post about how close we are to our second stretch goal when another pledge came in, that tipped us right over the threshold. Now it’s time for champagne!! 🥂🍾

Thank you everyone that has shared their stories and enthusiasm. And hard earned money. I’m totally blown away. I’m having such a Sally Fields moment! Gratitude abounds.

I can't say enough about how uplifting it's been to read your touching stories. It's been intense, amusing, nostalgic, and has definitely made me more than a few times. Everyone at the shop works their butts off every day and it feels fantastic to have that hard work acknowledged like this – to have concrete proof that our mission to support uncommon beauty is important to others as well.

Since we've hit $40k and we still have 12 hours left, of course I can't help but think about the next stretch goal. As with our previous stretch goals, I definitely want to make sure some of it circulates back into the community. I also want to do something really nice for our SF employees, who have been so patient and supportive as I’ve dedicated so many resources towards the dream of New Orleans.

We couldn’t have gotten to this point without the tutelage and support of SF Made. If we magically reach 45K, we’re *definitely* making a donation to that wonderful organization, as they’re dedicated to keeping manufacturing alive in San Francisco and elsewhere in the US. Their mission is to grow small businesses like mine, and as you all know, small businesses are incredibly important to a healthy economy and healthy humans.

Tonight for the first time in weeks I think I’ll finally sleep soundly… peaceful, grateful, and amazed. Thank you so, so much. 

Yours in gratitude,

Autumn Adamme

Time for a Second Stretch Goal!
over 5 years ago – Thu, Feb 14, 2019 at 11:09:00 PM

I'm a little speechless at the amazing continued support everyone has shown in the past few days. Dark Garden is larger than I am, and I'm proud to say we've achieved our stretch goal of $35,000. That means we can bring Midori to New Orleans to teach some of her amazing, empowering workshops. Joyfully, it's looking like we'll be able to host multiple workshops, so we're considering donating to a different charity for each one.

The momentum we have has filled us with excitement and hope – so, while still in awe, we have a new stretch goal of $40k. If we make it there, even the San Francisco team can breathe a bit easier. The additional $5k will help upgrade and streamline the production area, and allow us restock on the fabrics we need to create special stock for New Orleans. 

The new stretch goal also allows us to bring the Century Sisters to perform at Fête de Cupid. Annabelle was a member of the Century Sisters trio before she moved to New Orleans, and this would be an incredible reunion for them. Hiring entertainment is a crucial party of our vision for Fête de Cupid. We want to support and uplift local performers, both here and in New Orleans. Speaking personally, music is a vital part of my inspiration process, and I love that it is woven into the soul of New Orleans. I have a much harder time designing if I don't have a designated soundtrack for my concept. We're all sure you'll be delighted by their presence at the event.

Finally, we're all dying over the beautiful stories and photos you've shared on social media, and it's not too late to contribute your story as well! Please, please keep the testimonials coming. It's been incredibly fulfilling to read them – check out our Instagram stories (@darkgardencorsetry, @darkgarden_nola) for some snippets!

Thank you for everything! It's hard to believe we're down to our last 25 hours. Soon we'll be able to get to the fun process of creating your rewards!

~Marianne Faulkner

Associate Creative Director

T-shirt & Hoodie Mockups!
over 5 years ago – Thu, Feb 14, 2019 at 10:35:57 AM

Hi lovelies,

I'm so excited about how many of you want DG swag that you can wear out and about!

We wanted to make a classic design with a corset reference that wasn't just a literal illustration. I pulled a flourish from the end of our logo to create the suggestion of a waistline and then added a lacing motif down the center. My wonderful wife, Morgan Marcani, deserves credit for both the logo design and for creating these mockups for me!

The tee is shown on a slim woman's body, but we're planning to do a full size range in men's and women's sizing both. The hoodie is shown on a masculine physique, and we'll be offering a full size range in "unisex" sizing.

Question for you – do you prefer the monogram or full logo on the t-shirt sleeve?

~Marianne Faulkner

Associate Creative Director