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 created | January 28, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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