Corset for Sideshow Act based on 1911 corsetry

This garment's design was inspired by the early years of institutional psychiatric restraint equipment used in mental institutions and based on the corselet's i referenced from the early 20th century. These corselets are suitably absurd and fascinating because of their ridiculous layered trappings that you would think add bulk rather then reduce.  Intrigued by this era of corsetry i created this costume for a traditional sideshow escape routine which is revealed only after the ordeal of escaping from a straight jacket. The female performer exhausted then continues on to escape from her warped but feminine corselet and in turn humorously comments on these oppressive old undergarments.