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Not currently on display at the V&A

Bra

1930s (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Brassiere of bobbin lace and buttonhole stitch in pink cotton with satin ribbons.

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read Knitted underwear Whether socks or swimwear, long johns or leggings, knitting has been as important to what we put on under our clothes as to the clothes themselves. Some of the earliest knitted items were underwear and the growth of the machine-knitting industry was based on underwear's popularity. Even on...

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Bobbin lace and buttonhole stitch in cotton, satin ribbon
Brief description
Brassiere of bobbin lace in cotton, designed by John J. Roussel, France, 1930s
Physical description
Brassiere of bobbin lace and buttonhole stitch in pink cotton with satin ribbons.
Dimensions
  • Bust measured inside garment circumference: 78.5cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Underbust measured inside garment circumference: 72.5cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
Gallery label
Knitted to shape Around 1928 J. Roussel of Paris introduced a knitted bra which used a unique spiral whirlpool pattern to fashion the cups. The technique created a softly rounded, natural profile. The company claimed that their bras fitted to the body like a glove and were supple, light and quick to put on and take off. Brassiere John J. Roussel France, Paris, or Britain, London, 1930s Silk and cotton, with silk satin ribbon V&A: T.196-1989 (16/04/2016-12/03/2017)
Object history
Registered File number 1989/165.
Collection
Accession number
T.196-1989

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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