IndividualDesignSupport

The Corset Work

If you would like any hi-res images of these photos, or if you have any questions or
comments, please feel free to contact me: tamarstone@pipeline.com

Images Copyright © 2013 by Tamar Stone. All Rights Reserved.
No images may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the artist.

Interior Cover Corset and Book Cover front

18 double sided machine and hand sewn pages including covers.

Book Cover: machine stitched cotton embroidered image and text on satin fabric.

Binding: machine and hand stitched with vintage 3/8” adjustable negligee straps and bows created from straps.

Corset Width open: 24”

Page Height: 6 1/2”

Page Width: 5”

Click here: IDS_TxtSpecsBiblg 012509.pdf
to download the complete text and specs

Box

Machine embroidered title label on rose patterned Asahi Bookcloth.

Closed Outside Edge Length: 14”

Closed Outside Edge Width: 12 3/4”

Height Outside Edge: 2 1/2”

This project was inspired by antique salesman sample book for Spencer Corsets and a salesman sample girdle.
I found the photos of the women in their corsets extremely striking posed against the green backgrounds.

The images are all from the Spencer book as well as the silhouettes pictured. The text is also from the same book as well as historical corset and girdle ads, etiquette manuals as well information found in the trade magazine, Corset and Underwear Review.

The text is built around ideas of “scientific beauty” with a woman’s figure being classified around her problem areas. The question is asked, “Which of these figures is the most like yours?” Examples are given such as, “Bulging Diaphragm,” “High Full Abdomen,” “Full Back with Pendulous Breasts” and so on. The wearer is then assured
“Proper adjustment assures perfect fit and comfort” since “The secret of the success of this corset has attained lies in its perfect adaptation to the female anatomy.” Women are promised both medical and esthetic improvement to their bodies, “By wearing these Perfectly Designed Corsets the most awkward figure becomes Graceful and Elegant, the internal organs are speedily strengthened.”

The pages are printed on fabrics that are associated with women’s intimate apparel, silk satin and sheer organza.

Box interior lined with cotton satin fabric with

vintage 3/8” adjustable negligee straps.

Interior Box Length: 27”

Interior Box Width: 13”

Outside Cover Corset front

Machine stitched cotton embroidered text.

Interior pages: Front Cover inside

Ink jet image printed on 40mm

silk satin fabric

Outside Cover Corset back

Antique salesman sample girdle with garters.