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Brassiere

1930s (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
Great Britain (made)

Brassiere of cream silk with embroidered floral design.

Object details

Categories
Fashion
Womenswear
Underwear
Europeana Fashion Project
Object type
Brassiere
Materials and techniques
Embroidered silk, mother-of-pearl buttons
Silk (Textile)
Mother of Pearl
Embroidered
Brief description
Brassiere, cream silk with embroidered flowers and mother-of-pearl buttons, Great Britain, 1930s.
Physical description
Brassiere of cream silk with embroidered floral design.
Dimensions
  • Underbust masured inside garment circumference: 65cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
Gallery label
(2014-2015)
In 1926, Rosamond Klin, the director of London-based Kestos Ltd. began experimenting with new forms of brassiere. She began with two folded handkerchiefs, overlaid them, and attached shoulder straps and elastic ties. The design offered support and lift without bulk, which perfectly complimented the sleek clothes of the 1930s. The design became so popular that for many years women did not buy a brassiere, they bought 'a Kestos'.

Brassiere
Kestos
Silk, mother of pearl, machine embroidery and elastic
Given by the family of Monica Maurice
V&A: T.789-1995
(16/04/2016-12/03/2017)
Styled like the Kestos

In 1928 Rosamond Kennedy patented a design for a bra called the Kestos. It was made from overlapping triangular cups with shoulder straps and front fastening elasticated ties.

This bra has no label but it is cut like a Kestos. The wearer, who employed a skilled local lingerie maker, probably asked her to copy the popular brand.

Brassiere
Britain, 1930s
Embroidered silk and elastic with mother-of-pearl buttons
V&A: T.789-1995
Worn by Miss Monica Maurice and given by her family
Credit line
Worn by Miss Monica Maurice and given by her family
Object history
This formed part of the wardrobe of Monica Maurice (1908-1995), an independent and unconventional woman who in 1938 become the first - and until 1978, only - woman member of the Association of Mining Electrical Engineers. She had a passion for racing cars and flying, and loved clothes, showing a great sense of style and originality in how she dressed.

Registered File number 1995/2065.
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.789-1995

About this object record

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O350847/brassiere-unknown/
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