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Corset
Roussel, John J. - Enlarge image
Corset
- Place of origin:
France (made)
- Date:
1948 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Roussel, John J. (maker)
- Materials and Techniques:
Elasticated cotton, hook and eye closure
- Credit Line:
Given by Patricia Wilson
- Museum number:
T.110-2001
- Gallery location:
Fashion, room 40, case CA12
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’.
Image in copyright
