Corset thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

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’.


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
  • Waist circumference: 65cm
  • Length: 19cm
Marks and inscriptions
'[illegible] / J. Roussel of Paris' (Label; English)
Gallery label
Corset J. Roussel Paris 1948 J. Roussel 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'. [32 words] Elasticised cotton, hook and eye closure Given by P. Wilson V&A: T.110-2001(22/09/2007)
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 createdOctober 7, 2002
Record URL
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