Corset 1878 - 1882

Here we have a corset, made by BCN, a garment which was worn, and therefore shaped, the female form. The corset has a loaded history, one deeply entwined with gender, class, and the construction of femininity. It speaks volumes about the roles women were expected to fulfill. Corsets were more than mere garments, they were instruments that molded women into the desired shape, compressing their bodies to fit into the narrow confines of societal expectations. This one, with its elegant lines and delicate lace, is both beautiful and a symbol of restriction. As you consider this object, think about the women who wore it, the discomfort they endured, and the complex relationship they had with their bodies. Did they feel empowered by the shape it gave them, or were they suffocated by its constraints? Perhaps both.