Corset Revival  by Neda Culibrk

This project brought together a large number of creative people, and each of us received one corset and
the same task: to redesign an old corset using exclusively recycled materials. At first glance, one might
think that the rule of using only recycled materials would limit us, but I believe that the exact opposite
is true. This rule gives us the opportunity to expand our creativity and pushes us to think about how we
can create something without simply buying the materials we need. In that way, everyone had the space
to tell their own story.
My process began the moment i saw the corset. I immediately knew that I wanted to preserve its
essence. I did not want to see it simply as an ordinary object to “cover“ with new layers, but peace with
history and its own identity.
Its shape, appearance and details reminded me of a sensual, strong and confident woman… a woman
aware of her beauty and her power, radiating self-confidence.
We know that historically, the corset was a symbol of constraint and social norms imposed on women.
Today, when a woman has the freedom to choose what she wears, the corset takes on a completely new
meaning. It is no longer a symbol of limitation, but of power, control over one’s own body. This shift in
symbolism was my main inspiration.

In addition to that symbolism, i was also inspired by
the corset’s visual identity itself. The lace and patterns
of the corset immediately reminded me of the Baroque
era, a period of opulence and richly decorated fashion,
in which women wore multiple layers, lace and
luxurious fabrics with abundant ornamentation.
Guided by that inspiration, I wanted to translate my
vision onto the corset.

I was fortunate that i didn’t have to look far for materials…I used donated materials that we had at our
school. These are materials that various brands donated to our school as leftovers from their collections.
What was excess and waste for them became a valuable resource for me. At first, it was challenging to
arrange all these layers so that they looked natural, as if they had always been part of the corset, rather

Moodboard for corset
inspiration

than simply added later. There was a lot of trial, repositioning and adjustments until i achieved the
desired result.
When it came time for decoration, a small dilemma arose:
where to find all the beads i needed. The solution,
however. Appeared in an unexpected place. I remembered
that in elementary school we used to make bracelets and
necklaces from beads, and i have saved a lot of that
material at my mothers. Along with them, my mom sent a
few pieces of her old cheap jewelry, which perfectly fit the
overall aesthetic of the corset.

Recycled materials, old jewelry and existing form of the corset together create a story of continuity,
transformation and self-confidence. For me, this design became a metaphor of personal strength… the
strength of a woman whose value goes beyond her outward appearance.
In the end, this projest reminded me that fashion is not just aesthetics. It is what connects the past and
the future, while in the present conveying messages that can be heard louder than spoken words. At a
time when sustainability is crucial, this corset becomes a symbol of responsibility and creative courage.
Through it, I wanted to show that what already exists can gain new meaning while retaining its
essence… Just like us.