Fashion and Fetishism: A Social History of the Corset, Tight-Lacing and Other Forms of Body Sculpture in the West [Hardcover]

David Kunzle (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0847662764 | ISBN-13: 978-0847662760 | Publication Date: April 1982

From corsets to codpieces, stockings to stilettos and piercing to push-up bras, fashion and sex have always enjoyed a very close relationship. This new edition of David Kunzle's rich and revealing history of corsetry and body sculpture shows how this neglected phenomenon is closely bound up with sexual self-expression. Drawing on sources as diverse as medical literature and popular magazine articles, this fascinating history shows how in many ways the use of the corset rejected the role of the passive, maternal woman - so that in Victorian times it was actually seen by many as a scandalous threat to the social order. Even today fashion designers recognise its subversive powers, as a symbol of eroticism, decadence and control. Taking in other curiosities such as ancient body decoration, male corsetry, masochism and foot fetishism, this is an often racy journey into the enigma of all those who sculpt the shape of their desires onto their bodies.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Kunzle is Professor of Art History at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the author of The Early Comic Strip, Posters of Protest and Che Guevara: Icon, Myth, and Message. He is British-born and returns regularly to this country. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 359 pages
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Pub Inc (April 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847662764
• ISBN-13: 978-0847662760
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 6.5 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,553,067 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic analysis of the corset and tightlacing, December 7, 2004

By 

chance (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fashion & Fetishism: Corsets, Tight-Lacing and Other Forms of Body-Sculpture (Hardcover)

I first heard of David Kunzle's book through a review written by Angela Carter. The book puts forward what was a novel argument at the time it was written - namely, that use of the corset and tightlacing was not simply a sign of the social oppression of women, but that it was simulataneously a rebellion against that oppression. Particularly focussing on the Victorian era, he argues that use of the corset was subversive, in view of the socially sanctioned role for women as sexless 'angels in the house' - tightlacing being overtly sexual, and not seen as consistent with housewifely duties. He marshals an impressive array of data in support of this thesis, particularly from the vehement anti-feminist opposition. Fascinating social history - highly recommended.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars :), February 21, 2008

By 

Reak Kovacs "Riki Kovacs" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fashion & Fetishism: Corsets, Tight-Lacing and Other Forms of Body-Sculpture (Paperback)

This was a VERY in depth book. If you are interested in this kind of thing I owuld say this is one of the better books to get. I enjoyed it and it had so much good information in it.