The Modern Day Reclaiming of Corsets

Madeline Caruso

Acorset is an “article of clothing worn to shape or constrict the waist.” As you walk down the street or attend any party, it is fascinating to see the number of corsets worn. They made a solid comeback in 2022 and are continuing into 2023. The simple explanation is because they are form-fitting and flattering. Furthermore, they are also often referred to as the epitome of femininity because of the stereotypical female shape it presents, as confirmed by the New York Times. So, maybe this comeback is more profound than their appearance and can be related to modern-day feminism.

Many years ago corsets were highly restrictive and hidden under long gowns in the Victorian era. In modern day, corsets are worn alone as a top or dress in public. Corsets were seen as an article of confinement, however, today, as the modern individual slips into the garment, it symbolizes freedom and empowerment. They have become a symbol of sexual empowerment now that they no longer oppress women.

Vivienne Westwood aided in the revolutionizing of corsets by wearing them as outerwear instead of an undergarment. Feminism is often changing fashion as we know it, and corsets are an example of this. Today, a person can wear a corset when they choose. After all, they want to, no longer because they have to. “This time the option is open to everyone, on our own terms,” author of Vogue article states. It is ironically liberating to put one on your body.

Society’s most affluent and prioritized celebrities have also shown their love for corsets. Model Bella Hadid is commonly seen wearing them in her street style, and Kourtney Kardashian even got married in a corset mini dress this past year. Corsets gained even more popularity at the 2022 MET Gala with the theme of Gilded Glamor. Celebrities such as Lizzo, Gigi Hadid, Billie Eilish, Sydney Sweeney, and Evan Mock took to the carpet synched. Vivienne Westwood, Marc Jacobs, Versace, and Dior were among many designers who took corsets to the 2022 and 2023 runway shows.

The highly successful TV show Bridgerton, which gained its popularity during the pandemic, has also aided in the comeback of corsets. Set in the Victorian era, the show highlights the negative symbolic representation of corsets. The show also tackled feminism by having a more progressive main character, who also always happened to be dressed in restrictive clothing.

Celebrities and influencers have aided in the current corset fashion trend seen everywhere. The many years of corsets being restrictive, both physically and representatively, have taken a turn. Not only are they flattering and feminine, but they carry a new symbolic meaning.

Denver native, Alessia Redwine, is a junior at the University of Colorado Boulder with the aspiration of becoming a successful art curator and artist. Her main focus lies within the medium of painting, but also enjoys exploring mixed media. “I started painting my freshman year of college, and I haven’t stopped since that,” Redwine stated. She continued, “I do a lot of art, but right now I specifically focus on painting.”

Reframing artistic history to be more Redwine’s first painting series, Black by Popular Demand, focuses on recreating works of art that normally depict white women and repainting them as Black women. “I found pieces of art that were normally white women, such as ‘The Birth of Venus and Girl with a Pearl Earring’, and then I repainted them as Black women instead, Redwine stated. “There is a misrepresentation of Black women in the art industry. When Black women are showcased they are often shown as less than,” she shared. She goes on to say that “As a 21-year-old, I feel like I’m still seeing a lot of lack of representation. So, I’d say representation plays a big part in my art, and just expressing myself unapologetically and not apologizing for taking up space and being who I am.”

Reframing artistic history to be more inclusive was a driving force in Redwine’s series. The paintings are “a series of abstract renditions of historical works of art that originally focus on the elegance of white women.” Her inspiration struck during an art history lecture. She noticed the misrepresentation of Black women in great historical works of art and observed that “when they were featured in pieces, elegance and grace were often reserved for the white models. “I want to create paintings that highlight the joys of being Black rather than focusing on our pains.”

“Afrodite” (2021), is the first piece in Redwine’s series, Black by Popular Demand. It is a rendition of “Birth of Venus” (1485) by Sandra Botticelli. “I was inspired by Ebonee Davis’ January 2020 Essence magazine photoshoot. I purposely changed the pose of Afrodite’s body so she would embody confidence with her arms stretched at her side rather than covering her body with shame,” Redwine shared.

“Mama Lisa” (2022), is a rendition of the “Mona Lisa (1503)” by Leonardo da Vinci. Redwine was “inspired again, by Ebonee Davis who is one of my favorite models. My hope is that Black women see this piece and know our hair can be formal and elegant no matter the shape, size or stature.”

“Rebirth of Afrodite” (2022), is a rendition of Alexandre Cabanel’s Birth of Venus (1863). Redwine said that, “here, Afrodite is sitting in her shell, I did this as a reminder that I, along with all Black women, will not stand to be disrespected, overlooked or taken advantage of. For this painting, I drew from one of SZA’s many iconic photo shoots.”

“I’m That Girl (with the Pearls)” (2022), is Redwine’s rendition of Girl with a Pearl Earring (1665) by Johannes Vermeer. “This piece was inspired by Zendaya’s 2020 Essence cover,” she shares, “I wanted to challenge myself with using materials that were 3D seeing as though I felt unsure on how to paint so many pearls on her headwrap.”

Redwine uses art to process various feelings such as grief, liberation, and acceptance. In the midst of finding her voice as a Black woman in America in spaces that are predominantly white, she is also in the process of finding her artistic voice. “My purpose is figuring out how to create work I’ve always wanted to see growing up. I think representation is so important, and growing up I didn’t see enough representation,” Redwine shares. “ I went to a predominantly white high school and now I go to a predominantly white university,” she adds, “My paintings focus on, if I had to put it in words, the experience of a Black woman in places that aren’t normally diverse. I like to focus on the perspective of Black people, and women more specifically.”

People in her life are oftentimes inspirations for Redwine’s art. This includes her family or any artist she looks up to. Long Beach-based artist Torin Ashtun is one of her primary influences as well as Van Gogh. Artist Winslow Homer’s work is “what I want to be as an artist,” Alessia said, “he has a really good way of showing joy…I’m hoping to be like him one day for sure.” She hopes to one day own an art gallery so that she can not only showcase her work but also emphasize other artists of color’s work.

As Alessia grows as an artist, “her art will continue to reflect and shine light on the joys of her experiences as a Black woman.”