Date: c. 1995
Origin: Italy
Fabric: Stretch lace and guipure embroidery
Brand: La Perla
A bra and brief set in orange stretch lace and guipure embroidery. The underwired bra features a beige PU-foam lined bottom cup, with an exterior of stretch lace on the bottom and appliquéd guipure embroidered lace on the top cup. The shoulder straps comprise of 2-part rouleaux elastic at the front and satin elastic at the back with enamelled metal rings and sliders. The wings are made of stretch lace with a hook and high fastening at the centre back. Elastics have a plush finish and all trims are colour matched.
The briefs have a high cut leg, with a front panel of stretch lace with appliquéd guipure embroidered lace appliquéd over. The knicker seat is made of stretch lace, and the gusset is lined in cotton jersey. The set is entirely machine sewn, using stitches such as overlock, zigzag and bartack.
La Perla was founded in 1954 in Bologna, Italy, by master corsetmaker Ada Masotti. The brand’s name (‘the pearl’) came from the decision to present lingerie as fine jewellery, with the associations of luxury and femininity. The first brand collections were even presented in velvet-lined boxes. The brand treated lingerie as a fashion accessory rather than simply a clothing necessity, using fine fabrics such as French leavers laces, and silks.
Kindly donated to The Underpinnings Museum’s collection by Anna Laskowska
