EXPRESS YOURSELF

A couple of years ago, the University of Innsbruck made an amazing discovery for fashion! This was a bra dating from the 15th century, found at Lemberg Castle in Tyrol! 

The discovery surprised fashion historians, who thought that the bra (short for brassiere) is a 19th century, i.e. a modern, invention.

The term "brassiere" was adopted for the first time in 1904 in the US, when it appeared in a New York advertisement for a bust supporter. The invention of the modern brassiere itself is attributed to the New York socialite Mary Phelps Jacob. However, as fashion historian Valerie Steele says, that bra was neither the first nor a very successful model. 

The bra has a long and interesting history. American companies after the Second World War used silk for parachutes to make bras. An embroidered bra became a best-seller in 1949. There was invisible bra for the swinging sixties, and the Wonderbra for the 1990s.

Contrary to popular prejudice and myth, the feminists never burnt bras. In the 1968 Atlantic City Miss America Pageant protests, they only threw bras in a "freedom bin". Let's not forget that this was done in a decade which was all about freedom and free expression, after decades of restraint for women. In the 50s, you were unfeminine and an ogre unless you looked like the blonde and petite Sandra Dee.

The debate as to whether the bra is healthy is not settled. Some say it is essential for health, others say not so. 

I read somewhere that, with good exercise, the breast does not need a bra for support, and I think this may be true.

I want to think that, like anything which has to do with beauty, the bra can be both sexy and useful. It is certainly a fantastic fashion accessory. And who can forget Madonna's Blonde Ambition Jean Paul Gaultier bra?

In my view, Gaultier is one of those people without whom the world would be less sparkling, less good, and less fun. Express yourself!