Corset 1888 - 1892

This corset, by Corset Parisien, uses fabric and metal to construct a rigid but strangely delicate form. The corset presents a study in lines and constraint, a structure designed to mold the body into a specific silhouette. Note how vertical panels converge to create a sharp waist, while the rows of stitching provide a sense of reinforced control. This isn't just an item of clothing; it's a carefully engineered object. The pale fabric and lace trim soften the intensity of the structure, offering a contrast between the desired shape and the materials used to achieve it. The eye is drawn to the buttons down the center, each a point of tension holding the garment together. Consider this object as a signifier. What does it tell us about the ideals of beauty, the role of women, and the societal expectations of the time? The corset, with its formal precision, invites us to question the boundaries of fashion, function, and identity.