Waspie

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Not on display

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

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	Underwear Fashion Womenswear Europeana Fashion Project
Object type	Waspie
Materials and techniques	Elastic, with boning lined with velvet; hook and eye closure Elastic Satin Weave Velvet Weave
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	Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number	T.213-1996

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Record created	January 28, 2008
Record URL	https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O144146/waspie-unknown/

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