Corset Fever

You don't need to attend an eighteenth century revival party to wear a corset. Neither do you have to suffer in the name of fashion. Today's corsets are less restrictive but just as fashionable as their predecessors.

A new label by two former Fake London designers, Collado Garcia, offers a contemporary alternative to this classic fashion item. The Spanish-born designers have designed a collection of body-sculpting corset-tops for the spring/summer 2005. The cotton/linen corset tops come in a range of colours and cost £ 95. Details such as eyelets and lace give a slight gothic feel, which is no surprise, considering the fact that designer Jean-Pierre Braganza is a self-confessed goth.

For those who are more interested in the genuine article, Royal Court's brocade corsets in lace, and featuring a practical side-zip to prevent wearers from cracking a rib, are available from specialist corset retailers such as Corsets Petticoat Dreams for approximately £ 50.