April 13, 2009

What is a Corset Winch

Pin It


Vintage corset from the collection of Period Corsets with winch


Client’s Question:
“This might be an odd question, but I’ve noticed that a lot of old vintage corsets have this hook type metal fitting in the front near front busk opening . What is that for?”

Period Corsets Answers:
“The metal hook you are referring to is called a winch. It possibly came into fashion when modern factories made corsets for the working woman. It was an innovation that allowed a woman to tighten up her corset more easily by herself without a dresser. As she pulled the laces tight she would cross them in the back and bring them around to the front. She could wrap the lace loops around the winch to hold them taut so that they would not give while she wiggled the corset tighter. (Something like a cleat for sailors pulling in a line or being on belay for a rock climber.) She could wrap it around the winch and let the laces hang down without creating a big knot at the waist. The winch was located somewhere just slightly below the waist line and usually off to the left, for the right handed majority of the population.  During the course of the day, as the body expanded and contracted the laces could be loosed or tightened with ease. Without hiking up her skirts, undressing or visiting the ladies, the winch  allowed her to adjust the tension of the laces with discreet alacrity throughout the work day."



Detail of winch placement on vintage corset


April 6, 2009

Period Corsets® reach new heights in the New York Times

Pin It





The Metropolitan Opera announced its upcoming 2009-10 season in the New York Times Sunday edition, April 5th. Period Corsets® adds drama to the death defying heights in this new staging of Puccini's classic opera. Karita Mattila, as Tosca wears our c. 1905 Mae Corset and Late 19th c. Petticoat.



The Met's new production opens September 21st, James Levin conducting.
Photo by Brigitte Lacombe, courtesy of The Met.






Full page spread in the Sunday New York Times













Period Corsets®
on the streets of New York City.
( Love the taxi cab in the reflection!)













Photo by Jay SchwartzCoffey

April 3, 2009

Period Corsets® in rehearsal at the Shakespeare Theatre Company

Pin It

Period Corsets® supplies a complete period silhouette ready for overnight delivery so you can:
*get a jump on your build

*go straight into rehearsal

* wear in the performance
That's just what the Shakespeare Theatre Company did for their production of "Dog in the Manger". Miriam Silverman (center photo) wears our Cone farthingale.

Photos By Scott Suchman

Design by Dzelque Blogger Templates 2008

Period Corsets - Design by Dzelque Blogger Templates 2008