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Waspie

ca. 1947 (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 'wasp waisted' New Look, launched by Christian Dior (1905-57) in 1947. In London, while post-war rationing was still in place, corsets were forbidden except on doctors' orders, making the latest fashions difficult to achieve.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Elastic, with boning lined with velvet; hook and eye closure
Brief description
Waspie, pink satin and elastic with boning; lined with velvet bands, Great Britain, ca. 1947.
Physical description
Waspie of pink satin and elastic with boning; lined with velvet bands.
Gallery label
Waspie
London
1947

The waspie emerged in Paris during the war. It became an essential tool in creating the New Look. In London, while rationing was still in place, corsets were forbidden except on doctor’s orders. [33 words]

Elastic, with boning lined with velvet; hook and eye closure

V&A: T.213-1996
Credit line
Given by Chloe Gunn
Object history
Registered File number 1996/173.
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 'wasp waisted' New Look, launched by Christian Dior (1905-57) in 1947. In London, while post-war rationing was still in place, corsets were forbidden except on doctors' orders, making the latest fashions difficult to achieve.
Collection
Accession number
T.213-1996

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Record createdJanuary 28, 2008
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