Vivienne Westwood, the punk fashion icon, revolutionized the corset to create a fashionable and artistic garment. To celebrate this avant-garde British designer, the label’s boutique in Paris is hosting an exhibition that reimagines the art of corsetry.
Vivienne Westwood approached corset design in a modern and artistic way, challenging societal norms and conventions. She transformed the historically restrictive corset into a feminine, sensual, and delightfully unconventional piece.
The exhibition showcases Westwood’s mastery of deconstructing and reconstructing the corset. She incorporated intricate floral motifs, embroidered it with silver lurex thread, and experimented with unique features like low cuts, high waists, and exaggerated shapes. Westwood reimagined the corset’s tight and uncomfortable structure, which was associated with a stereotypical beauty, into a looser and more practical “armor” that allowed for ease of movement.
An outstanding example of Westwood’s corsetry is her Autumn/Winter 1987 collection titled “Harris Tweed.” This collection introduced her first jet-black corset, which broke away from tradition by featuring a zipper instead of the usual back lacing and eliminating restricting whalebones at the hips. This innovative approach to corsetry was both practical and revolutionary.
In her exploration of corsetry’s history, Westwood created a whimsical and glamorous piece adorned with a print of François Boucher’s 1743 oil painting, “Daphnis and Chloé.” This playful creation, once again displaying her mischievous creativity, was later added to the prestigious private Wallace collection in London.
Not confined to women’s designs, Vivienne Westwood also introduced corsets for men in 1996. These designs, including a low-cut orange and white cotton jacquard piece from the Spring/Summer 2020 collection, were crafted by her husband and successor, Austrian designer Andreas Kronthaler.
The retrospective exhibition of Vivienne Westwood’s corsets is currently on display in Paris until Sunday, April 30. Afterward, it will be exhibited in London starting May 8 at the label’s flagship store on Conduit Street. This exhibition provides a unique opportunity to appreciate Westwood’s visionary approach to corsetry and her significant contributions to the world of fashion.
Useful links:
– Vivienne Westwood Official Website
– The Wallace Collection
