Corset, Wedding Dress, Evening Dress

Left to right:

Corset / England, c. 1880 / Silk satin, embroidered ribbon, metal / Lent by Leicestershire Museums, Arts and Records Service
The hourglass corsets of the late 19th century are especially admired today by designers and corset enthusiasts.

Evening dress / Christian Lacroix / France, 1997 / Silk, silk taffeta, floral trim, plastic boning / Lent by Christian Lacroix Couture
Christian Lacroix is known for his luxurious, extravagant couture dresses, which often allude to the fashions of the past. This evening dress is inspired by the fashions of the Belle Epoque, the golden age of corsetry.

Wedding dress / Christian Lacroix / France, 1995 / Duchess satin / Lent by Rita Watnick
One of the most photographed garments of the late 20th century is Christian Lacroix’s dramatic couture dress with leg-of-mutton sleeves and corset lacing.