Frank's Dinner Corset
Last Updated: 11/13/2000
How We Got It:
I purchased the costume at auction from Dori Hartley at the 25th Anniversary on Oct. 13, 2000. Dori says she was handed the corset by Sue Blane at a convention many years back.
Keep in mind that while it's in very good shape, the corset has faded a lot over the years.
These photos are quite large and may take a while to load.
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Corset front
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Corset front bottom. Note the fact that the embroidered flowers are on a separate black netting base, not stitched directly onto the corset.
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Corset front top
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Corset back
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Closeup of the back buttons. Note the soutache loops, the iridescent rounded oval buttons, and the lace edging along the back opening (with embroidery on it as if it's the same material with the silver flowers).
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Closeup of stitched flowers. Note that there are stones on the base fabric, though not many on the flowers themselves. The repeating pattern of the flowers on the fabric can easily be seen, suggesting this was fabric bought by the yard, then cut up and put on the corset. Note also the tendrils. Glue can be seen under some of the rhinestones in this shot. One of the rhomboid 3x3 groups of gems is visible at the upper left.
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Extreme closeup: stitched flower. The netting-like characteristic of the base fabric can easily be seen, as can the square 3x3 "rhinestone" gem (actually not faceted at all).
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Closeup of rhinestones. You can see how the netting fabric is actually sewn onto the chiffon shirt, whose texture is clearly visible. Nice closeup of several star-shaped rhinestones and one 3x3 "gem" grouping.
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Closeup of star-shaped rhinestone. The faceting is clearly visible, as are the metal prongs (which do not extend through the velvet beneath).