Corset 19th century

This corset was made by Maison Léoty out of leather and metal. Leather is a material defined by its flexibility and strength, and historically it has been used in intimate garments for centuries. Here, the corset’s maker has worked with leather’s unique characteristics to create a garment that is both supportive and surprisingly supple. The tanning process is crucial here, and the addition of whalebone or metal boning strips would have shaped the corset, defining its contours. The corset is an object charged with social significance. While in popular discourse it has become synonymous with oppression, at the time corsets were a symbol of sophistication and a certain degree of freedom, as the women wearing them could participate in outdoor activities more freely. Leather itself is a reminder of labor, and the production of garments like these involved highly skilled makers, and reminds us of the industrial production in the fashion industry. Ultimately, this corset challenges traditional notions of art and craft by highlighting the importance of materials, making, and social context in understanding the full meaning of an artwork.