Teabags as WearableArt

Women’s Life (Roles) - a corset made from teabag fabric with a multilayered meaning

This began as a multi layered comment on a woman’s life. I chose an intimate garment that is often displayed as risque and attempted to create it so it was more refined. The use of teabags is a comment on how many women’s lives and friendship centre on a cup of tea (or coffee) and the secret exchanges that includes. It also celebrates the changing roles and conflict of angel and whore.

The basic shape of the corset is made in a size 16. Most of us would love to be a perfect size 10 but not many of us achieve that and the corset has a dual meaning of trying to look smaller or for those that are not a perfect size10 and sexy garment to show off their bodies to perfection for those that achieve the media perfection.

The neutral colour palette enhances the messages and is relieved by the embellishment of hydrangea flowers encased in organza with wired beads and silk leaves that came adrift from displays at work. The teabags have been mistry fused to a vintage cotton base and net places over the top before being free machine quilted. The black guipure lace was an addition of elegance from my scrap bin.

The back of the corset has terms for women - both complimentary and demeaning printed under the net