corsets reconceived by vivienne westwood – a thread

corset is a constricting garment worn by women *and men to meet beauty standards 𝘥𝘶 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳 (of the day)

Westwood's corsets were derived from 17th and 18th century corsets but updated with the addition of lycra sides and a zip up the back.

earliest corsets were said to have come from the 70s punk and SEX era. in those days, she'd create fetish-wear collections.

in late 1980s, she turned corsets into refined outerwear and debuted it on 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘴 𝘛𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘥 (a/w1987) collection which took inspirations from 18th century england and “stature of liberty” corset.

in march, Westwood unveiled 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘵 (a/w1990) and birthed the infamous, iconic, sensational François Boucher's Daphnis and Chloe's –also known as Shepherd Watching a Sleeping Shepherdess– corset. the painting was drawn from the wallace collection.

explicit, scandalous and forbidden. the story of Daphnis and Chloe dates back to 2nd century AD written by Longus. the painting depicts a man and a woman looking at each other lovingly but traditional text suggests a lesbian love story.

another François Boucher corset was the Hercules and Omphale corset. after killing Iphitos, Hercules was sentenced to three years of servitude by oracle Delphes. bought as a slave, Hercules fought monsters and bandits and was ready to please his mistress's slightest whim.

the collection also featured a corset inspired by cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle which was on display when she visited Victoria & Albert's museum in London.

'Queen of Sheba' dress from 𝘝𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘢 𝘊𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦 (a/w1995) collection took inspirations from Tiepolo's pagan themed paintings and was embroidered by corsetmaker Mr Pearl who have worked for the likes of Mugler and McQueen.

in 2000, Lil' Kim wore 'Queen of Sheba' dress to the Vibe and Mac album release party in nyc for her record 'The Notorious KIM'.

from basic looking corsets to floral to oriental themed to extravagant corsets. you name it she's done it.

what was once a symbol of patriarchal control over women’s bodies became a symbol of liberty and empowerment