Brassiere thumbnail 1
Not on display

Brassiere

ca. 1953 (made)
Artist/Maker
Kestos (maker)
Place of origin
England (made)

Brassiere of black elastic and black nylon lace mounted over white nylon. It is boned, strapless, has a hook front fastening, and reaches only the waist. The 'bra' cups are wired beneath and interlined with rubberised padding. The back is low cut and there is a black satin ribbon to tie across the cleavage. There are loops for the attachment of optional straps. Labelled at the hem.

Object details

Categories
Underwear
Fashion
Clothing
Europeana Fashion Project
Object type
Brassiere
Materials and techniques
Elastic with nylon and lace; boned
Brief description
Brassiere of nylon, lace and elastic, made by Kestos, England, ca. 1953.
Physical description
Brassiere of black elastic and black nylon lace mounted over white nylon. It is boned, strapless, has a hook front fastening, and reaches only the waist. The 'bra' cups are wired beneath and interlined with rubberised padding. The back is low cut and there is a black satin ribbon to tie across the cleavage. There are loops for the attachment of optional straps. Labelled at the hem.
Dimensions
  • Waist measured inside garment circumference: 56cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Bust measured inside garment circumference: 80cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Underbust measured inside garment circumference: 69cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Cup measured inside garment width: 16.5cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
Marks and inscriptions
  • Label 'Kestos registered trade mark made in England Moonlight P3655 Incorporating nylon' (Label)
  • Size label '34'
Gallery label
(16/04/2016-12/03/2017)
A little help

Ruth Sheradski (1909-77) was an artist, illustrator and fashion writer who later owned the London antique shop Loot. She wore this padded bra and frilly lace knickers in the early 1950s.

By 1953 it was fashionable to have a sizable bust and a very slightly rounded stomach. The bra has underwired cups and rubberised padding. The satin bow linking the cups draws attention to the cleavage.

Bra, 'Moonlight'
Kestos
Britain, about 1953
Nylon, nylon lace and elastic
V&A: T.294-1977
Bequeather by Ruth Sheradski

Knickers
Weavamill
Britain, London, 1953-5
Nylon and nylon lace
V&A: T.295-1977
Bequeathed by Ruth Sheradski
(22/09/2007)
Strapless brassiere
Kestos
London
About 1953

Lace over nylon, with elasticised panels, boning and underwired padded cups; front hook and eye closure

Given by the late Ruth Sheradski
V&A: T.294-1977
Credit line
Bequeathed by Ruth Sheradski
Object history
Bequeathed by Ruth Sheradski, and given by Vere French (the wife of photographer John French).
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.294-1977

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Record createdJanuary 28, 2008
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O144152/brassiere-kestos/
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