• Black Bobbinet Tulle Corselet & Petticoat, Attributed To Christian Dior, c. 1950s, France. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    Black Bobbinet Tulle Corselet & Petticoat By Christian Dior

    Black Bobbinet Tulle Corselet & Petticoat By Christian Dior Date: c. 1954 Origin: France Fabric: Cotton bobbinet tulle Brand: Dior Boutique   This corselet and petticoat were originally integrated into an outer overdress. The original design was crafted from a rayon poult tafetta, with an asymmetric bodice and full circle skirt. The design was likely…
  • 'Duke' Cage Corset By eLai London, 2015, UK. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    ‘Duke’ Cage Corset By eLai London

    'Duke' Cage Corset By eLai London Date: 2015 Origin: United Kingdom Fabric: Synthetic knit, braided trims, metal chains Brand: eLai London   A cage style corset, crafted with a pleated knit waistband and decorative braided bone channels. Fine golden chains are draped into delicate scalloped trim at the garment's hem. The garment fastens at the…
  • 'Rosy Maple Moth' Silk Corset With Rabbit Fur & Lace Appliqué By Sparklewren, 2020, UK. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    ‘Rosy Maple Moth’ Silk Corset With Rabbit Fur & Lace Appliqué By Sparklewren

    'Rosy Maple Moth' Silk Corset With Rabbit Fur & Lace Appliqué By Sparklewren Date: 2015-2020 Origin: UK Fabric: Silk duchesse satin, rabbit fur, machine lace Brand: Sparklewren   A corset inspired by the colours and textures of the Rosy Maple moth. A base of bright pink silk duchesse is intricately embellished with layers of French…
  • 'Nanette' Child's Stretch Girdle By Formtex, c. 1960s, Sweden. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    ‘Nanette’ Child’s Stretch Girdle By Formtex

    'Nanette' Child's Stretch Girdle By Formtex Date: c. 1960s Origin: Sweden Fabric: Elasticated nylon Brand: Formtex   A girdle in elasticated nylon mesh. It has four integrated suspender straps with metal grips. A small embroidered floral appliqué trims the waistline. This style is designed to pull on over the hips and has no fastenings. It…
  • 'Jeune Fille' Embroidered Teen Girdle By Cadolle, c. 1950-60s, France. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    ‘Jeune Fille’ Embroidered Teen Girdle By Cadolle

    'Jeune Fille' Embroidered Teen Girdle By Cadolle Date: c. 1950-60s Origin: France Fabric: Nylon mesh and satin Brand: Cadolle   A girdle intended to be worn by teenage girls from Cadolle's 'Jeune Fille' (young girl) line, crafted from an elasticated patterned mesh and a central non-stretch satin panel. The centre satin panel is intricately embroidered…
  • Silk Brocade, Linen & Leather Stays With Alterations & Jet Beading, late 18th c., Germany. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    Silk Brocade, Linen & Leather Stays With Alterations & Jet Beading

    Silk Brocade, Linen & Leather Stays With Alterations & Jet Beading Date: c. late 18th century Origin: Germany Fabric: Silk metal brocade, leather, linen Brand: Custom made   A pair of late 18th century stays, crafted from an interior of strongly woven lining and an outer of fine silk-metal blend brocade and leather tabs. It…
  • Black Chantilly Lace, Beige Bobbinet Tulle & Ribbonwork Girdle, c. 1920s, France. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    Black Chantilly Lace, Beige Bobbinet Tulle & Ribbonwork Girdle

    Black Chantilly Lace, Beige Bobbinet Tulle & Ribbonwork Girdle Date: c. 1920s Origin: France Fabric: Cotton bobbinet, machine lace, silk ribbon Brand: Custom made   A girdle in cotton bobbinet tulle, with a black chantilly lace overlay and a woven cotton lining at the centre front panel. It fastens with a row of buttons at…
  • 'Dita' Satin Corset By Velda Lauder, 2005, UK. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    ‘Dita’ Satin Corset By Velda Lauder

    'Dita' Satin Corset By Velda Lauder Date: 2005 Origin: UK Fabric: Polyester satin, cotton twill Brand: Velda Lauder   A corset with a dramatic sweetheart neckline. The centre panel of sleek black satin is framed with contrasting grey cotton twill, and embellished with a black satin bow. The corset fastens with a concealed steel busk,…
  • Pale Blue Satin Masculine Corset By La Guêpière, c. late 1980s, UK. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    Pale Blue Satin Masculine Corset By Iris Norris

    Pale Blue Satin Masculine Corset By Iris Norris Date: c. late 1980s Origin: UK Fabric: Polyester satin, cotton Brand: La Guêpière/Iris Norris   A longline underbust corset, crafted from an outer layer of polyester satin, and an interior of tightly woven cotton. It fastens with a steel busk at the front and metal eyelets with…
  • 'Dawn' Corset With Draped Silk & Painted Lace Appliqué By Sparklewren, 2020, UK. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice

    ‘Dawn’ Corset With Draped Silk & Painted Lace Appliqué By Sparklewren

    'Dawn' Corset With Draped Silk & Painted Lace Appliqué By Sparklewren Date: 2020 Origin: UK Fabric: Silk-cotton duchesse satin, silk organza, machine lace Brand: Sparklewren   A mid-bust corset with profuse embellishment, inspired by Northumbrian sunrises. A base of pure silk is embellished with layers of lace and organza, hand painted with a mix of…
  • 'Equipoise' Cotton Twill Waist, c. 1880s, USA. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    ‘Equipoise’ Cotton Twill Waist

    'Equipoise' Cotton Twill Waist Date: c. 1880s Origin: USA Fabric: Cotton twill Brand: Equipoise   The Equipoise Waist was patented in 1876 by Miss Emmeline W. Philbrook of Boston, MA and shown at the Centennial. As the name suggests, its structure allowed for clothing to be distributed more evenly around the torso and shoulders with…
  • 'Nu-Back' Girdle By Liberty, c. 1950s, Great Britain. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    ‘Nu-Back’ Girdle By Liberty

    'Nu-Back' Girdle By Liberty Date: c. 1950s Origin: Great Britain Fabric: Cotton and nylon Brand: Liberty   A longline girdle in nylon satin, cotton twill and knitted elastic panelling. There are 6 elasticated suspender straps, and the garment fastens at the side seam with a row of hooks and eyes. There is evidence of a…