Foundation garments of the 1950s incorporated new light and highly tensile elastic panels, which reduced boning. Other innovations included high-line zipped and step-in girdles and corselettes (combined bras and girdles).
New supportive bras included plunge, half-cup and underwired designs. Beautifully crafted bras were made by elite corsetiere Rigby & Peller (est. 1939). Here whirlpool, circular-cup stitching creates a tilted, pointed bustline.
Physical description
Pink machine-made lace bra with padded and wired cups, trimmed with pink nylon satin.
Place of Origin
London, England (made)
Date
ca. 1955 (made)
Artist/maker
Rigby & Peller (designer and maker)
Materials and Techniques
Machine lace, nylon, boning
Object history note
Rigby & Peller was established in South Molton Street by Mrs Rigby and Mrs Peller in 1939. They remain elite bespoke corsetieres, but have also expanded to include high-street ranges.
Registered File number 1994/299.
Descriptive line
Bra, pink lace and satin, padded, wired cups, Rigby & Peller, London, England, ca. 1955.
Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)
de la Haye, A., The Cutting Edge London: V&A Publications, 1997, p.182
Foundation garments of the 1950s followed the body's natural curves, but shaped it to the hour-glass silhouette that fashioned decreed. They incorporated new light and highly tensile nylon elastic nets as controlling panels, which reduced boning. Innovations included high-line zipped and step-in girdles and corselettes (combined bras and girdles). In harmony with the prevailing fashion, new supportive bras included plunge, half-cup and underwired designs. A selection of beautifully crafted nylon lace bras of the period (plate 143) were made by elite corsetieres were worn to achieve the right contours. Whirlpool, circular-cup stitching formed the tilted, pointed bustline.
Exhibition History
The Golden Age of Couture. Paris and London 1947 - 1957 (Victoria and Albert Museum 22/09/2007-06/01/2008)
The Cutting Edge (Victoria and Albert Museum 01/01/1997-31/12/1997)
Labels and date
UNDERWEAR [case label]
A couture garment usually included meticulously constructed undergarments. They were either integrated into the structure of the garment, or made separately.
In creating the New Look after the war, Dior used firm underpinnings such as girdles, under-wired bustiers, and tulle and horsehair petticoats. He placed extra padding on the hips and bust to ensure a smooth womanly figure.
As the 1950s progressed, foundation and support garments became increasingly sophisticated. Lightweight materials such as nylon and new stretch fabrics ensured greater comfort. [81 words]
[object label]
Brassiere
Rigby & Peller
London
1950s
Nylon and lace, underwired
Given by Rigby & Peller
V&A: T.604-1995 [22/09/2007]
Materials
Nylon; Padding (material); Boning
Techniques
Satin weave; Machine lace-making
Categories
Fashion; Accessories; Underwear; Women's clothes
Collection code
T&F
