Corset
1948 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The 'waspie' was a belt-girdle designed to cinch the waist and create an exaggerated hour-glass figure. It emerged in Paris during the war and became an essential tool in achieving the silhouette of the 'New Look', launched by Christian Dior (1905-57) in 1947.
Some people thought that the 'New Look' was a backward step for women's rights, because it restricted women.
This corset was made by J. Roussel, who had branches on the Boulevard Hausmann in Paris, and also on Regent Street in London. They specialised in exclusive corsetry made from a very fine elastic knit fabric galled ‘gaine’.
Some people thought that the 'New Look' was a backward step for women's rights, because it restricted women.
This corset was made by J. Roussel, who had branches on the Boulevard Hausmann in Paris, and also on Regent Street in London. They specialised in exclusive corsetry made from a very fine elastic knit fabric galled ‘gaine’.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Elasticated cotton, hook and eye closure |
| Brief description | Corset, pink elasticated cotton, J. Roussel, France, 1948 |
| Physical description | Pink elasticated cotton waist corset with 7 hook and eye closures. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | '[illegible] / J. Roussel of Paris' (Label; English) |
| Gallery label |
|
| Credit line | Given by Patricia Wilson |
| Summary | The 'waspie' was a belt-girdle designed to cinch the waist and create an exaggerated hour-glass figure. It emerged in Paris during the war and became an essential tool in achieving the silhouette of the 'New Look', launched by Christian Dior (1905-57) in 1947. Some people thought that the 'New Look' was a backward step for women's rights, because it restricted women. This corset was made by J. Roussel, who had branches on the Boulevard Hausmann in Paris, and also on Regent Street in London. They specialised in exclusive corsetry made from a very fine elastic knit fabric galled ‘gaine’. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.110-2001 |
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| Record created | October 7, 2002 |
| Record URL |
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