La Mecanique Des Doussous
‘La Mecanique Des Doussous’ reveals an extensive insight into the ways that the body has been shaped throughout history with garment design.
The exhibition highlights a unique view of fashion’s connection to the body. The structures speak not only of the creation of beauty, but also of beauty in their own right. Over 200 silhouettes, featuring unique materials such as whalebone, lace and hinges are revealed in a change from their from their usual concealed role as support to the garment.
Not only exploring the changing techniques and materials, the exhibition also highlights the shifting silhouette and associated views of the masculinity and femininity. At stages, corsets were worn so tight that they induced fainting, but they modelled the women’s frame to the ideal shape of time. While cod pieces, artificially built torsos and enhanced calve definition were utilised to create a view of what was thought to be masculine.
‘La Mecanique Des Doussous’ is on display at Les Arts Decoratifs, Paris until Sunday 24 November 2013.
