corsets of vivienne westwood bridal
THE HISTORY OF THE ICONIC WESTWOOD CORSET
Few garments carry as much symbolic weight in a wedding as the corset—and no designer has explored it more deeply than Vivienne Westwood.
The corset first appeared in the Autumn-Winter 1987/88 Harris Tweed collection, where Westwood became the first designer of the 20th century to revive the historical flat corset structure, originally worn by fashion-forward women of 18th-century salon culture. Modernised with stretch panels and a zip fastening rather than lacing, it quickly became a signature of the house.
As fashion journalist Alexander Fury later articulated, "a woman wearing a corset today is a symbol of empowerment, of sexual freedom, of control"—a sentiment that translates with particular power into bridal.
CORSETED WEDDING DRESSES OF VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
In the house's made-to-order bridal collections, that legacy finds its fullest expression.
The Nova Cocotte is perhaps the most iconic of the corset gowns: a silk corset construction offered in pearl white heavy silk satin or the subtler silk cady, drawing on the archival Cocotte silhouette that has run through the house's DNA for decades.
The Nova Cora takes a slightly cleaner approach — a sculpting corset with reduced drapery around the neckline and across the hips, creating a cascading asymmetrical train at the back.
For brides drawn to volume and drama, the Nova Bagatelle offers a regal silhouette with cinched waist and a romantic draped neckline, inspired by the iconic blindfolded bride from Westwood's 1997 "Vive La Bagatelle" collection.
The Nova Camille, meanwhile, brings the house's signature structural sensibility to a more fluid silhouette.
VIVIENNE WESTWOOD WEDDING DRESSES IN GERMANY
At Zo & Willow, we are proud to be the exclusive Vivienne Westwood bridal partner in Germany. Our private appointments give you the space to explore these gowns with a dedicated stylist who understands both the history behind the pieces and the practicalities of finding the right fit.
We recommend ordering eight to ten months before your wedding date, though shorter timelines can often be accommodated. Visit our website to browse the collection and book your appointment.
