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Gorgeous Corsets
Would you consider a tummy tuck or breast enhancement when a piece of fabulous lingerie could give you the figure you’ve dreamed of for a fraction of the cost? Thought not. While we love buying clothes and lingerie that make us look and feel good, we’ve become slaves to comfort over support.
Faith Brotherston meets Victoria Whiteland, who took her admiration for historical clothing and turned it into a business, creating corsets that make a woman feel so gorgeous that she’d never consider surgery again.
Why corset designing? What was it that inspired you to go into such an unusual area?
My inspiration was history; I have always loved wonderful stories, fascinating people, extraordinary costumes, beautiful architecture and local life that makes the World’s history such a rich experience. I simply love the romance and adventure of history. This is pure indulgence!
But corsetry became a fascination for me in particular, when my brother arrived home wearing one. He had sustained a serious injury on the rugby field at school. The corset he wore was heavy and rigid, somewhat archaic and was powerful – as a piece of armoury might be… the protection and strength proved a blessing for him and this idea interested me.
How long have you been doing this?
I first began as a corset designer eighteen years ago. I was always in love with costume history and undergarments have such a rich history; they literally defined the female shape – in a way that is not easy to imagine in our times! That we wore corsetry says so much about our civilisation; women were always in love with the idea of physical perfection.
How did you go about learning your skill?
Having studied costume history, I realised that since the 1960’s underclothes had become much lighter, they had no defining power. This change had been taking place for many years. I felt that we had put aside the power to protect or create any change to our shape by abandoning structured undergarments.
Corsets had been our means of creating and maintaining a woman’s youthful shape for so long, without them things were going to be very different.
We couldn’t return to archaic corsetry, it didn’t offer the solution for modern times. I had studied the corsets from history and learned both their effectiveness and limitations. So I set aside pre-conceived designs from the past and began to use women’s bodies to experiment with new patterns.
I now have an extensive range of corsets that are perfect for our modern needs and very glamorous for wearing out, and a growing range of underwear corset styles that started with one single design idea and won an award: The Everyday Corset.
You say that you think a corset is the ultimate solution to making a woman feel sexy without resorting to crash diets or surgery – what do you think of women’s self image on the whole?
Women are changing shape and size now, attitudes to larger sizes are improving, but what we have lost is the beauty of the ‘hour-glass figure’. Women of all sizes created an allure when shaped by the corset which does not compare with the tent- like clothing on offer for our larger women, that does little for their self esteem or any unwanted rolls of extra flesh.
What are the most common things you hear from ladies when you’re designing for them?
Women are surprised by corsets! They experience themselves on a different level – they see a new view of themselves in the mirror and are fascinated. It is liberating – they can begin to live with themselves enjoying a powerful new image. Even if a customer has any uncertainty, when she see herself in the corset that is perfect for her she always says “It would be a pity to take it off!”
What kind of feedback do you get from your clients?
I am delighted by the lovely letters I receive from my customers, who write to tell me their experience of looking and feeling so very different; and that the corset I designed for them has improved their shape, confidence and wellbeing.
It is a very special feeling to make a real difference in someone’s life.
A lot of people have this perception of corsets as something that stops you breathing and makes you faint! How have you adapted the design so that it’s more relaxing to wear?
We have all heard this story and it created a fear of corsets! In fact it is sensationalist reporting at its journalistic best. It has its origins in the 1870’s when there was a brief fad for girls to attempt to achieve the vey smallest waists. I imagine in future our generation will be remembered for our own ‘beauty’ extremes: Silicone breast implants, liposuction and ‘tummy tucks’.
Personally, I have never advocated extremes. My own designs create very flattering shapes for women without them needing to resort to extreme measures, and certainly not fainting fits.
I am passionate about the idea that a perfectly designed corset should be uniquely comfortable for the person it was designed to fit and sculpt. A good designer should take seriously this responsibility – I can’t bear to hear that corsets or shoes are painful to wear!
Old-fashioned styles can be damaging – they have had their day, having been created for women who had been shaped by generations of corset-wearing. I am saddened to see more and more cheaply made and unsuitable corsetry entering the market as corsets have become fashion-wear.
What concerns me is that they are not designed by experienced corsetieres and the most often used style; reproduction Victorian is quite unsuitable. Making a corset is now a school-girl/fashion student project – notwithstanding the lack of medical awareness and needs of the body.
How long does it take to make a bespoke corset?
Corset design and construction can often be a lengthy process, and some take many days to complete. I always start by examining the person’s physique and needs then I design a style and pattern that will be most effective, suitable and comfortable. In certain situations, prototyping is useful.
Any famous clients you can tell us about?
Yes, although I always consider consultations to be private. It is well known that I was asked by Sir Hardy Amies Couture to create a piece for their collection, I have also designed corsets worn by celebrity clients to the Brit awards, the Baftas and the Comedy Awards.
What’s the most beautiful piece you’ve designed?
I have many favourites… there are patterns that I have invested the most time and effort into creating, and corsets that are particularly special due to their decorative details.
A few Corset-gown designs will always hold a special place in my heart for being truly fabulous, one of these is a smoke coloured silk corset gown for an actress, with purple silk rouleaux detailing. Some beautiful corsets in my top ten are remarkable for their cut and embellishment, I hope will be cared for long after I’m gone.
There are the many beautiful books full of sketches which I enjoy creating. They represent wonderful journeys of imagination… when I flick through these I know the best is yet to come!
Do you advocate them as outerwear as much as underwear – a la Madonna etc?
Oh, very much so. Corsets can be wonderfully versatile and this is just one way that they are. A corset can be a woman’s best kept secret or a show stopping creation. It’s great to be the one wearing it when everyone in the room takes a breath!
Do people ever wear these every day or is it a special occasion treat?
Of course, throughout our history, this was what women wore every day. Even as corsets changed to become ‘separates’ few women would venture out without their girdle, just as few of us would spend our days without a bra today. The benefit of wearing a corset every day is that it shapes the body over time, and maintains the shape of our younger self.
I invented the term ‘The Everyday Corset’ when my design won an award at the British Invention Show, and this idea has entered public awareness. Corsets were quaint old-fashioned garments, not suitable for wearing daily to the office, for this reason I set about redesigning the corset to be worn in comfort every day – today I have an expanding range of underwear corset styles that all started with that one single design idea.
If you could design a piece for anyone at all, who would it be?
This question goes through my mind quite a lot! When I am walking down the street I often have this feeling. I know I have seen women truly transformed and long to cheer up many people that I see in this way, to do something wonderful for them. There is something so uplifting in a gorgeous make-over. Few women can afford the surgery that would provide their dream make-over, but most of us can afford that perfect corset.
If you are inspired to try one of Victoria’s femininely flattering corsets, then please visit: www.vwhiteland.com
If this article has made you think twice about how you enhance your figure, please comment below…
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About the author
Name: Victoria Whiteland
Website: www.vwhiteland.com
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