Brassiere
The gored cups of this late 1940s brassiere created an aggressive pair of breasts set high on the chest, an ideal shape to give form to a tight-fitting sweater. The 1950s saw an almost comical elaboration of the technology of the brassiere, including intricate topstitching, underwires, various paddings and inserts, and multiple methods of suspension that could raise, separate, or push together the breast as desired. The 1950s also marked the first widespread use of breast implants in the form of the since banned ivalon sponge.
Artwork Details
- Title: Brassiere
- Date: late 1940s
- Culture: Italian
- Medium: cotton
- Credit Line: Purchase, Richard Martin Bequest, 2001
- Object Number: 2001.671
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
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