Bra
ca. 1955 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
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.
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.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Machine embroidered tulle and nylon with underwiring |
| Brief description | Bra, black machine-embroidered tulle and nylon with underwiring, Rigby & Peller, London, England, ca. 1955. |
| Physical description | Black machine embroidered tulle bra lined in black nylon, with blue and green flowers |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | UNDERWEAR [case panel]
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
Lightweight nylon and fine underwiring provided support without cumbersome padding.
Nylon and net, underwired
Given by Rigby & Peller
V&A: T.599-1995(22/09/2007) |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs J. Kenton of Rigby & Peller |
| Object history | Rigby & Pellar was established in South Molton Street by Mrs Rigby and Mrs Peller in 1939. They remain elite bespoke corsetiers, but have also expanded to include high-street ranges. Registered File number 1994/299. |
| Summary | 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. |
| Bibliographic reference | de la Haye, A., The Cutting Edge London: V&A Publications, 1997, p.182
|
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.599-1995 |
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| Record created | November 28, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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