Short course Straight Laced: Corsetry through the ages - Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery

Corsets: staid, upright, straight laced are all terms whose roots lie in corsetry while in the 21st century we see them as acceptable bridal and evening wear. Corsets have created the fashionable silhouette for centuries. A fascinating subject, with unexpected explanations as to why they were worn. This course will delve into whalebone, cording, lacing and flossing. Uncovering the history of the production of these garments by look at some fabulous examples held in local collections.

Course tutor: Jill Salen

Jill Salen is a retired lecturer in costume from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. She has also made costumes for many clients, including The Globe theatre, Cosprop, and the Welsh National Opera. She is also the author of a number of successful publications on corsetry, costume history and construction, and is currently researching for a further book on corsetry