The history of lingerie is an important part of the history of women’s changing role in society, yet it is rarely given the attention it deserves. Launching in November and the brainchild of lingerie designer Karolina Laskowska, The Underpinnings Museum is a radical innovation in showcasing and documenting the evolution of underwear through the ages. The museum creates an invaluable resource and whether it’s for lingerie lovers, fashion students, historians or home sewers, permanent items and regular exhibitions will offer fresh perspectives on the world of undergarments through the ages and across the globe.
“Whilst high profile exhibitions make headlines in Paris, New York, Sydney and now London, and brands seek to celebrate their heritage by looking to their archives for inspiration, lingerie lovers can struggle to find in-depth information online,” said Karolina. “The Underpinnings Museum aims to satisfy this desire by offering free access with high-quality photography capturing the garments in exquisite detail, and each object is accompanied by extensive technical and historical contextual information.”
Initially self-funded and documenting Karolina’s extensive vintage lingerie collection dating between 1990-1960, the museum’s crowdfunding campaign aims to raise £6300 to cover the costs of period-specific mannequins, high-quality studio photography, exhibit research and merchandise to ensure its continued success. The Kickstarter Campaign is due to launch 30th September 2016 and will last for 30 days, giving lingerie lovers the chance to pledge money towards the campaign for rewards such as postcards, knickers, art prints, custom lingerie and exclusive digital content.
Advertising opportunities are also on offer for brands to submit objects to the collection, sponsor an upcoming exhibition or even curate an exhibition around their own history and products. Joining lingerie designer Karolina Laskowska is academic and blogger Lori Smith, known in the lingerie community as ‘The Bra Master’ due to her academic research on twentieth and twenty-first century underwear, and lingerie specialist photographer Tigz Rice.
