“The Corset “ismy object which is summer wear ribbon corset selected from Victoria and Albert museum. Place of originEngland Dateca. 1895 Artist/MakerUnknownMaterials andTechniquesSilk satinribbons, boning, metal fasteningsCredit LineGiven by MrsRaperMuseum numberT.
18-1958GallerylocationFashion, Room40, case CA6 Physicaldescription “Ribboncorset” made from strips of cream silk satin ribbon connecting boning andlacings, metal fastenings. Dimensions Circumference: 48 cm waist, Circumference:59 cm hip, Height: 28 cm front, Height: 19 cm back Labels anddateRibbon corsetswere recommended for slender women for summer. This one was worn by a womanfrom a merchant family living in Brazil: Fanny Harvey Fleetwood Raper.While the upperedge of the corset lies under the bust, allowing more freedom of movement, thebones in the sides constrict the waist and those in the back reinforce anupright posture.
Categories Underwear;Fashion; Clothing; European Fashion Project Collection Textiles and Fashion Collection Todaymost of the womenswear like Gowns, Evening dresses/ party wear dresses, Weddingdresses incorporates a Corset in it. Corsetis an undergarment that is worn to give a slim and a curvy figure to the bodyby reducing the waist and exaggerating the bust and the hips. It is an undergarment worn to holdand train the torso into adesired shape. The corset gives a sense of sensuality and a glamorous lookwhich enhances the figure of a woman and helps to give an hourglass figure. Britishand European women in mid sixteenth century were the pioneers of the evolution of the corset, wore it as a garment andgradually incorporated the use of a “busk,” along flat piece of whalebone or wood sewn into a casting on the corset tomaintain its stiff shape.It was usually steel boned hard body and has metal eyelets which may rust, soit was usuallykept away from the skin.
The corsets in 1840s were cut from separate pieces stitchedtogether to give roundness to the bust and shape over the hips. A broad buskwas inserted up the centre front of the corset to give a smooth line to thebodice of the dress. Strips of whalebone were also inserted up the back and sometimesdown the side and front, to give more structure. Corsets also had to be rigidto conceal the layers of underwear, including chemise, drawers and petticoat,which were worn underneath.
“Waspie”was a corset which was used in the form of the waist clincher in the late 1940s-early1950s.The waist clincher was restricted to haute couture, and most womencontinued to use girdles. “Dior “and “New Look” used this to give the hourglassfigure.In late 1980s, the corset was being used as an item of outerwear rather than underwear. This was evident in Autumn2001 fashion collections and the film Moulin Rouge! Steampunk cultureutilized late-Victorian fashion shapes in different ways that showed a newtrend in the corset. Since its evolution corset has a lead from innerwear tooutwear i.e.
from underwear to Busters and from lingerie to Armor. Types of Corsets Under bust Corsets: Begin right under the breasts and endat the beginning of your lap. Over bust Corsets: Begin just under your arms and endabove the hips. Bustiers Flat-front style Sweetheart neckline Garters to uphold the stockings or aseparate belt may also be incorporated into a corset.Advantages of a corset· Corsets make the waist look thin while oversizing the hipsand bust.
· It helps to temporarily achieve the attire and a body shapefor which we spent hours in the gym and to attain it people do immense workout.· Corsets also reduce appetite by exerting abdominal pressureand losing body fat.· It also gives support for those having lower back problems andgives support to the weak, injured back.· Helps us to develop a good posture.’· Corsets are also worn out in sexual fetishism in BDMSactivities. Disadvantages of Corset· Wearing corsets for prolonged time is a serious healthhazards like discomfort in breathing.· Corsets is also responsible for many female problems ofVictorian era like fainting, fits, to miscarriage.· Wearing extreme tight corsets have resulted in organdeformation like stomach and liver deformation.
Nowadays corsets are designed and made of cotton,lawn, silk so they beneficial even if they are worn close to the skin. Corsetare made of fabric, metallic, ivory, cane and wood.Corset is an object which is worn by high end, wealthy andrich class of people as most of the Gowns, Dresses, wedding gowns by anyDesigner incorporates a corset in it to give a good fitting and comfort. Corsets helps one to improves the carriage and gives anequilibrium, confidence, high esteem. It provides elegance glamour style to theperson who wears a corset.
It depictsthe sense of fashion awareness, Status, style quotient and taste of the personwearing the corset. The exhibition called”Underdress”- A Brief History Of Underwear’swas held from 16 April 2016-12 March 2017 at the Victoria and AlbertMuseum in London which featured the underwear and the cotton pants worn by Queen Victoria’s mother and even David Beckham” H&M Briefs ” as well as theunderwear’s worn by the selected men and women from 1700s.This exhibitioneducated the visitors about the practicality of the underwear and its role infashion in past as well as present.
Theexhibition was curated by Edwina Ehrman of the V&A’s textiles department.Till date no other fashion garment has sensed suchsocial, cultural and sexual significance as “The Corset”.
