What is it about corsets? No matter their purpose, they always seem to inflict pain. Whether it be the sort worn by women of a bygone era, or the beribboned rings that have become part of the fetish and extreme body modification world, corsets are a force to be reckoned with.
Once worn to enhance and whittle the waist, a corset now has a new description in the body modification world as corset piercings make a dangerous transition from fashion to self-expression. Here's a private peek at corsetry, from the boudoir to the history of corset body piercings.
What is a Corset?
In the 1550's, Catherine de Médicis, wife of King Henri II of France, decided to ban thick middles on all women in the court's attendance. Following her demands, steelrod and whaleback bones were sewn into devices called corsets, and they would reduce the appearance of the waist up to a shocking thirteen inches.
Women began wearing corsets beneath their dresses and underpinnings. These tight, restraining undergarments helped to shape their waists and eventually nipped a few permanent inches off of the faithful wearer. Though effective in reducing a thick midsection, corsets were terribly uncomfortable and akin to mild torture. Corsets were worn for hours at a time, making sitting, eating and even breathing quite unbearable.
It wasn't until 1917 when World War 1 saw the demand for metal, that the production of corsets temporarily ceased. 28,000 pounds of metal were spared in those efforts, and women rejoiced with the popularity and patent of the first "Backless Brassiere" designed by Caresse Crosby, born Mary Phelps Jacobs.
Crosby was awarded the first U.S. Patent for her corset substitute, and despite landing four department store accounts, her husband Harry Crosby persuaded her to let go of her business and she later sold it to The Warner Brothers Corset Company. Bras became quite popular after that and continue to be worn today by women allover the world.
Jacobs remained married in a very scandalous arrangement that ended with her husband's death after one of his affairs ended in a terrible murder-suicide. Reports of their open marriage, suicide pacts, drug use and wild parties contributed to the stories of their bohemian life, part of which artist Salvador Dali took part in as one of the many guests at their high society gatherings.
Despite the desirable hourglass figure, wearing a structured corset is burdensome and is usually reserved for special occasion lingerie or for Burlesque dancing. Instead, many women rely on other spandex and figure-enhancing shapewear such as SPANX to correct or minimize their silhouettes.
History of the Corset Piercing
The world of body modification embraces all sorts of subcultures and genres. From steampunk to freaks, there are some body alterations such as the corset piercing, that take their inspiration from a bygone era.
As an erotic trend that emerged in the mid 1990s, a corset piercing is mostly worn by women. It consists of as few as four body piercings located symmetrically up the back, the neck or the legs, so that a ribbon can be laced between them and tied into a bow at either the top or the bottom of the piercing.
A corset piercing is a surface piercing, meaning it will likely migrate and move and will not heal properly long-term. Surface piercings are usually rejected and are considered a very temporary adornment. Most beribboned corset piercings are fresh for a photo shoot or erotic act, and can not be worn for any length of time.
Part of a bondage and fetish world, here's a few interesting facts about corset piercings:
* Infection poses a great risk.
* Corset piercings can leave visible and unattractive scars.
* The procedure is painful.
* Corset piercings are temporary and are usually worn for just a few short hours, or up to a week, before the body rejects them.
Alternatives to Corset Piercings
If you want to try keeping a permanent corset piercing, you will have to use a doorknocker or slave barbell that can support the weight and stress of the ribbon without tearing your skin. This piercing is really not suitable for daily life. Be advised a piercing of this, or any sort, should be performed at the skilled hand of an expert.
If you're a romantic at heart and want to embrace the fashions of the Victorian Era, why not opt for the medieval nipple piercing or read the following articles for pretty, yet permanent tattoo inspiration.
Cameo Tattoo Designs
Jewelry Inspired Tattoos
Flower Tattoos
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