In the gorgeously filmed Peter Weir movie Picnic at Hanging Rock, tension between repression and liberation, innocence and (carnal) knowledge is represented by the corset.
Girls enclosed at a boarding school are shown here in a line, lacing each other’s corset tightly, securing their proper Victorian femininity under the watchful eye of their headmistress while the clock ticks on to the more modern age of 1900.
Although in Picnic the corset was a symbol of the changing times—it was something to be discarded—this piece of lingerie has been interpreted in very wearable ways for the noughties.
Here’s a link to a modern, summery corset dress from Peruvian Connection.
And below is a lovely corset top by Jean Paul Gaultier that captures all the romance of Picnic, but none of the repression.
Girls enclosed at a boarding school are shown here in a line, lacing each other’s corset tightly, securing their proper Victorian femininity under the watchful eye of their headmistress while the clock ticks on to the more modern age of 1900.
Although in Picnic the corset was a symbol of the changing times—it was something to be discarded—this piece of lingerie has been interpreted in very wearable ways for the noughties.
Here’s a link to a modern, summery corset dress from Peruvian Connection.
And below is a lovely corset top by Jean Paul Gaultier that captures all the romance of Picnic, but none of the repression.
Lace me up in this one, please!
11 comments:
That JPG is superb. I love it, and would almost risk it myself!
I agree with you on the JPG. The corset dress is much less risky and not my style, but I thought I'd show it to demonstrate how more conservative looks are also riffing on the corset.
I LOVE the corset. Whether worn underneath as sexy lingerie, or on top a la Madonna circa 1990, it creates such a beautiful silhouette. And, when well-made / well-fitted, I think they are not horrendously uncomfortable or bad for your internal organs! :-)
arrghhh the dresses in picnic at hanging rock are divine! love them
I remember feeling unfufilled after seeing "Picnic at Hanging Rock" (years ago) I think I was too young to understand the vague ending (perhaps naive?) and I wanted a definite answer as to what really happened. I wonder how I would feel if I watched it again.
-Tessa
I think the trick with Picnic is not to watch it for plot but for symbolism--look for all the images of enclosure and escape; restraint and freedom. Look too at how the colors red and white are used (ok; enough academic speak for today).
I love the corset. I don't know if I could wear one though, they do send a much different message now...
I love the JPG too, very beautiful. I watched Picnic at Hanging Rock a very long time ago, and was also left feeling confused and unfulfilled. I think I need to watch it again as an adult.
I really liked that spread in the Times from which that last image is taken...
Oooooh, I loved that last JPG corset photo too. And corsets in general...
I love corsets. They’re so sexy and enhance your femininity so much.
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