FASHION through the ages has always taken inspiration and borrowed iconic designs and trends from different decades; the mods and rockers fashion of the 60’s, the flares of 70’s, and the shoulders pads and leggings from the 80’s, have all been revamped in the Noughties and reside on the rails of the closets in the twenty-tens.
Bubbling up from way back in the 16th century the style that is once again back in the good graces of the trend setters of 21st century is the corset; remodelled and revived the corset is, literately, sculpting the 2010 catwalks.
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Celebs from Hollywood to Bollywood have embraced the figure enhancing style with Jessica Alba, Anne Hathaway and even Sarah Jessica Parker walking down the red carpet with their waists cinched; on the other side of the globe Katrina Kaif and Shilpa Shetty have dared to don. Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie, Keira Knightly, Halle Berry and Salma Hayek are also fans of the figure sculpting corset.
The music industry has also championed the corset with not only Magde rocking the boned bodice but Fergie of Black Eyed Peas, the Pussy Cat Dolls, JLo, Kylie Minogue, Rihanna, and the Queen of the Corset, Lady Gaga.
A little lady that is corset crazy is Tehmeena Latif founder of Boutique in the Attic. Tehmeena’s passion for the corset could perhaps even rival Gaga’s, which is some feat to say the least. Ms Latif’s love affair with the waist cinched style snowballed from the desire to find her perfect corset right the way through to launching her own bespoke Corset Company. Tehmeena explains, “My love of corsets started a couple of years ago. The first time I tried on my own corset I couldn’t believe how my body changed. If you have a boxy torso, like me, it can cinch your waist for that much wanted waistline. If you are curvier it can reduce your waistline by inches. If you are lacking in curves the garment can help you create a more feminine shape. Previously, I had bought High Street corsets, you know the ones, flimsy, inexpensive, some too low and some too short, needless to say none were my perfect fit. This frustration led me to enrol into a corset-making workshop and learn how to make an authentic corset; boned, lined, the works, tailored to suit my body.”
Here in lies the crucial difference between the High Street corset fashion style and those from specialist retailers, “High Street corsets are not corsets per se, they mimic the look of a corset but do not fulfil the function of a corset” explains Tehmeena. “The mass produced corset-esque styles have the boned effect but are not actually ribbed with steels to help pull your waistline into shape. They often lack in other authentic features such as the lace-up at the back and busks at the front and these are often replaced with zips. You’re probably thinking that this makes it easier for me to get in and out of. Well, yes, that it may be, but the benefit of the authentic lace-up corset is that if you happen to put on a few pounds or loose some, chances are you will still be able to wear your corset again. Lace-up corsets do not meet at the back, therefore if you gain weight the gap is increased and if you loose weight the gap is met. Either way the garment still looks amazing.”
The beauty of the corset is that it can be worn regardless of your figure as it accentuates your assets, in addition to nipping in the waist and boosting the boobs the corset is versatile when it comes to changes in your dress size with up to two dress sizes of wiggle room – banishing those pesky ‘fat days’ in favour of spellbinding confidence and a ravishing silhouette.
A corset is a unique investment piece for your wardrobe unrivalled by other attire. “Often people ask, why corsets? Why not dresses, t-shirts, or a range of clothing garments? The answer is simple, the feeling one gets from being tied into a lace-up corset does not come from any other piece of clothing in my opinion” explains Tehmeena.
“Recently I got the girls together to have a peek at my most recent designs, any excuse for a girls night in! The fun of it was none of these girls had ever tried on a boned corset (corset virgins as I like to call them) so to see their reaction when being lace-up tight and tighter into one of my designs was exciting. They felt so feminine, admiring a waist which they thought they never had; they didn’t want to take them off! That’s when I know I have touched on something special.
"Corsets may be a 16th century garment however they are adaptable to any style; a pair with jeans on a night out, customise with a skirt for a formal party or your school prom, and even build a corset into your wedding dress design to enhance your figure and exude elegance on your big day. This is most definitely an item of clothing that will stay in your wardrobe forever.”
Written by Angie Bennett
Corsets: Boutique in the Attic // Photography: Afzal of Impressions // Hair & Make-up: Kanval of Impressions // Venue:Pollock House
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