The evolution of women's lingerie
The Victoria and Albert Museum's ‘Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear‘ chronicles the evolution of lingerie from early corsets to underwear-as-outerwear dresses on the red carpet.
Along with a timeline featuring over 140 pieces to show how lingerie has changed over the years, there are also photographs, film, advertisements and packaging on display to highlight changing concepts of the ideal body.Highlighting the enduring themes of innovation and luxury.
From the custom-made, such as a rare example of home-made ‘stays’ worn by a working woman in England in the 18th-century, to pieces by current designers including Stella McCartney, Rigby & Peller and Paul Smith, the exhibition explores the relationship between underwear and fashion.
It covers notions of the ideal body and the ways that cut, fit, fabric and decoration can reveal issues of gender, sex and morality.
The exhibition is running until 12 March 2017.
