The complete Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 2009 Couture fashion show now on Vogue Runway.

Metal corset (also known as iron corset) is historical type of corset made mostly or entirely out of metal, usually iron. By the start of the 16th century, Spanish fashions influenced Italian and English ladies. An iron hinged armour like corset was worn to flatten the body giving a smooth outline beneath gowns. The iron corset must have been exceptionally uncomfortable and heavy to wear and could only have been worn by Elizabethan ladies not doing any form of heavy work. Their only benefit…