Go Ham or Go Home: The Wild World of Good Girl Corsets

By Alisha Proffitt Photos By Matt Johnson 

Corsets. Some think Victorian torture devices. Others think Halloween pirates. In Louisville, they’re also for croissants spilling chocolate, pigeons strutting their stuff, and one very famous “Awesome Opossum” that’s toured Europe. This is the world of Good Girl Corsets, a mother-daughter duo who believe that confidence can, in fact, be stitched in. 

The story begins in 2010 with the Va Va Vixens, a variety performance troupe. When Carrie Foster joined the lineup, she turned to her mom, Deb Foster, for help with costumes. Deb was already a skilled sewist, but she soon upped the ante with corsetry. And as her daughter recalls, “No surprise, she was a natural. Before you could count to ten, she was whipping out a corset in a week or two… which is unheard of.” 

Word spread fast. Other performers wanted in, festivals came calling, and suddenly Good Girl Corsets was born. While Deb perfected the structural art of corsetry, Carrie uncovered her own hidden talent, draping fabric into sculpture and building extravagant headdresses. “Looking back, I had no idea what I had unleashed. It is so satisfying to uncover a hidden talent within yourself you had no idea was even there,” Carrie says. 

These days, the duo divides and conquers. Deb, now focusing on hand-stitching and embellishments, while her daughter leads design and vision. Together, they create costumes that are as clever as they are couture. 

Inspiration can come from anywhere: a song, a client’s personality, or the sheer fabulousness of a flamingo. (Yes, there was a flamingo costume, and yes, it was fabulous.) Clients often arrive with ideas, but the real magic happens when they hand over creative freedom. “We work best with people who present a project with minimal direction and then allow us to really go ham,” Carrie laughs. And honestly, wouldn’t you want your costumer to go full ham? 

Corsets, of course, come with questions. Chief among them: are they comfortable? The answer: not exactly. But there are levels. “Corsets are not known for their comfort factor… but hourglass corsets tend to create less muffin topping,” Carrie explains with the pragmatism of someone who’s both worn and built more than a few. 

What sets Good Girl Corsets apart, though, isn’t just craftsmanship or creativity. It’s the way their designs change how people feel. Performers step on stage not just extravagantly dressed, but transformed. Non-performers who commission a piece get a taste of that same thrill. As they put it: “Everyone should get to experience the celebrity.” 

Good Girl Corsets call their vibe “Timeless, Bold & Unforgettable.” Judging by the pigeons, pastries, and possums in their portfolio, that feels exactly right. Wearing a Good Girl creation is like entering a small, fabulous alternate universe. 

Aside from all the sequins and feathers, Good Girl Corsets is also a story about opportunity and community. “I owe ALL OF THIS to Art Sanctuary, which produces the Va Va Vixens. That is why it is so important to support local arts organizations like Art Sanctuary. Talent that blossoms when it has a place to grow is essential for the entire community!” Without spaces like this, where performers and creators can experiment, learn, and take risks, many hidden talents might never see the light of day. The costumes, the shows, the joy; they all start with a community willing to invest in art and imagination. 

Art Sanctuary is now working on its revitalization project, Art Sanctuary Reimagined, and looking for a new home to house studios and performance spaces for our local artists, making support more urgent than ever. “Where would we be in this world without the influence of art? Please consider a tax-deductible donation to Art Sanctuary! We are looking for a new building, so now more than ever, your donations are vital,” Carrie explains. By supporting local arts nonprofits, you’re nurturing the next generation of artists, performers, and visionaries who will fill the world with color, humor, and heart. 

To Learn more about Good Girl Corsets and how you can support this mother/daughter duo, as well as the many other artists that rely on Art Sanctuary, visit: art-sanctuary.org/donate/#donate-now