‘Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear’ at V&A Museum

16/04/2016. Exhibition. [LON] UK 16.04 > 31.3.2016
metalocus, INÉS LALUETA

The V&A Museum open its doors to a new exhibition, which addresses the practicalities of underwear and its role in the fashionable wardrobe, whilst also highlighting its sensual, sexual appeal. Explored are dress reformers and designers who argued for the beauty of the natural body, as well as entrepreneurs, inventors, and innovators who have played a critical role in the development of increasingly more effective and comfortable underwear.

Silk Satin, lace and whalebone corset to be displayed, 1890–5. Image courtesy of V&A Musuem.

Silk Satin, lace and whalebone corset to be displayed, 1890–5. Image courtesy of V&A Musuem.

Image courtesy of V&A Musuem.

Cage crinoline, the ‘Princess Louise Jupon Patent’, c. 1871. Image courtesy of V&A Musuem.

Advertising poster designed by Hans Schleger for the Charnaux Patent Corset Co. Ltd, c. 1936. Courtesy of the Hans Schleger Estate. Image courtesy of V&A Musuem.

Brixton Boyz, Jennie Baptiste, lith print, 2001. Image courtesy of V&A Musuem.

Trompe l’oeil corset dress, designed by Antonio Berardi, S/S 2009, Worn by Gwyneth Paltrow (© Sipa Press/ REX Shutterstock). Image courtesy of V&A Musuem.

‘Tamila’ lingerie set from the Agent Provocateur Soirée collection. Photographer.- Sebastian Faena, Model.- Eniko Mihalik. Image courtesy of V&A Musuem.

Victoria and Albert Museum show us a new exhibition, “Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear,” opening yesterday, 16th April 2016 and to run until March 2017.

“Starting the exhibition with a selection of our best men’s and women’s underwear from the 1700s, enables us to offer visitors a much more comprehensive and I hope illuminating introduction to the history of underwear,” said Edwina Ehrman.

Curated by Edwina Ehrman, the exhibition will showcase more than 200 examples of underwear for men and women, tracing the history of underwear design from the 18th century to the present. With various items on display, ranging from a pair of long cotton pants worn by Queen Victoria’s mother to a Sixties Mary Quant body stocking, and a pair of gender-neutral briefs by Acne Studios, the show aims to explore the enduring themes of innovation and luxury, as well as notions of gender and sex.

Examples include how underwear morphed into lounge garments, such as dressing gowns that were transformed into hostess gowns. Also featured is the more practical examples of underwear and how these are developed alongside changing availability and costs of fabrics throughout history.

“The exhibition’s contents also reflect the current trend for loungewear and recent interest in lingerie dresses,” said Ehrman, who has dedicated a section of the exhibition to the trend. Items on display, including 1840s men’s dressing gowns, Thirties chemise dresses and caftans from the Seventies, aim to examine the evolution of undergarments into loungewear.

Examples of lingerie made from luxury fabrics will be showcased at the exhibition and features to look out for are the exquisitely detailed pair of 1930s silk chiffon knickers decorated in lace with a hunting scene. Other items such as floral stockings from 1953 worn by Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII.

The exhibition, above all, pose a particular emphasis on the contrast between the years of austerity during World War One, when corsets were made of paper, and what 100 years of technological advances have brought to us in terms of evolution of undergarments as well as epitomise the coming of age where innovation mirrors elements of popular culture. Symbolically laid out by the slimming waist belt, endorsed by figures such as Kim Kardashian, which will be on display.