The revolutionary evolution of underwear

The history of underwear can be truly fascinating. I heard some of my favourite stories about underwear from my mum and aunts who told me that many people would sew pants out of the most disparate scraps of fabrics during the Second World War, even flags. It was indeed a luxury to have a pair of proper pants and it’s simply amazing how, in the last 60 years or so, something so functional turned into the most profitable slice of the fashion market.

There are thousands of lingerie companies out there, most of them launching new collections twice a year, while established names of fashion, from Armani to Galliano have their own underwear lines.

But while lingerie in luxurious materials such as lace and silk or decorated with baroque frills, satin ribbons and delicate embroideries, is a wonderful example of a modern mass seduction weapon, there is also lingerie that can push up and pull in, tuck in and firm up, almost re-playing the effects plastic surgery can have on the body.

An exhibition that opens to the public tomorrow (but was launched this morning for the press), at London's Fashion and Textile Museum (FTM) chronicles the development of lingerie from functional to seductive to technologically advanced.

Decades have passed since the very first bra was patented in 1915 and the FTM event "Undercover – the evolution of underwear" analyses how lingerie changed throughout history, exploring also different themes linked to it, such as the boudoir and everyday glamour.

Lingerie fans will rejoice admiring pieces by La Perla, Triumph, Stella McCartney, Christian Dior and Wonderbra, but they will also have the chance of seeing unique pieces such as a corset worn by British burlesque diva Immodesty Blaize, a dress made with bras and pants designed by Vin & Omi and a Swarovski encrusted bra.

While the exhibition gives the chance to explore also the most superficial themes linked with lingerie, in particular celebrity branding, it also allows experts and people with an interest in advertising and technology to understand how lingerie marketing contributed to the social and cultural changes in our society and how research played an important role in developing innovative products.

This aspect is explored particularly well in the very last section of the exhibition that provides an introduction to the future of underwear.

"Undercover – the evolution of underwear" is an intimately glamorous celebration of the foundation of every woman’s great outer wardrobe. Who could have ever imagines that underwear could have gone such a long way?

"Undercover – the evolution of underwear" is on at the Fashion and Textile Museum, London, UK, from tomorrow until 27th September 2009.

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