Undercover: The Evolution of Underwear

FTM’s exciting new exhibition Undercover traces the evolution of underwear from health garment, shape definer to fashion ‘must have’. It explores a number of themes such as boudoir to everyday glamour – ‘Stars and their bras’ looking at celebrity branding; research and innovation’s impact on the types of underwear we wear; and how the changing face of underwear advertising and marketing meshes with social and cultural changes.

The exhibition presents a visual demonstration of how female underwear has evolved as women’s role in society changed. It encompasses the changing trends from the ‘flatten it’ to the ‘push it up’ to the ‘let it all hang out’! Undercover contains some exquisite pieces from a wide range of private and public collections that read like the Who’s Who of underwear; M&S, Triumph, La Perla, Christian Dior, Elle Macpherson, Myla and Wonderbra – to name just a few.

From the risqué to the radical, pieces include an original Merry Widow corset inspired by Lana Turner in the film of the same name; renowned burlesque artiste Immodesty Blaize’s corset; a spectacular gown made from bras and briefs by designers Vin & Omi and a La Perla bra encrusted with Swarovski crystals.