True to the grand traditions of German corsetry, the laced corselette, the abdominal support, and any number of supportive foundations are still made with great precision by FIGESTA.
Making corsetry is not simple. The complexity of this three dimensional task is matched only by the million different variations of the female body. Skilled cutters, sewers and fitters are still required in this age of mass-production, to tailor each garment exactly to the client's measurements. The days of Spirella that many thought were gone, are alive and well in a town just south of Hanover. |
History of Figesta Recent Products
Corselettes
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Many, many optional extras are available on the models above from additional spinal support, under-belts, long-leg extensions, back-lacing and that innocuous last option, finishing material. Traditionally, the panel at the back, and the side straps were finished in corset-quality satin.
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Corsets, Panty-girdles and Back Supports
Stomach Binder and Model 75 |
An excellent back-support that translates anaemically from the German Rückenstützbandage nach Professor Lindemann! A traditionalist might bemoan the anodyne velcro-fastening (klettverschluß - D; klittenband - NL; it's amazing what you learn), however, for the older client, this is far easier to manage than buckles or lacing.
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The Teutonic abdomen is very well catered for by Figesta, and again, a comprehensive list of options is available to exert just that correct amount of uplift.
I like the idea of a made-to-measure panty-girdle and was fitted for one during our visit. These garments are firm, and made-to-measure makes sense. As a lady grows older, the bottom enlarges, but the thighs start to shrink from reduced exercise. This tends to mean that a conventional panty-girdle that is large enough to accommodate one's posterior, will have legs far too wide.
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Brassieres and Maternity
Of course, there's a huge maternity market out there and Figesta has that covered as well as well as catering for the women with breasts of unusual dimension. |
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2022: Figesta in Germany is now owned by Active Life GmbH. This company manufactures, beside other things, fabrics that are designed to be used with girdles.
What a delightful throwback to the patterned German foundation garments of the 1960s and 70s.
Recent Figesta Products
Regard the amazing quality and attention to detail of the back-laced brassiere and panty-girdle!
The interesting products below contain just about every optional extra that Figesta can produce!
Werkmeister
Figesta is not alone in Germany producing these formidable garments, Werkmeister produces similar products.
This lovely, albeit sturdy corselette is still being made to order in Germany today by Werkmeister (2014).
The attention to detail is quite extraordinary. I do not know of any other country that still makes such garments, however, one should realise that this specific order contained additional specialities based on the original Werkmeister item and can be done all over Germany in special stores who have Werkmeister in their offer. The standard version in the werkmeister webshop is not that extraordinarily detailed. |
Other German Brands
As mentioned elsewhere, Germany has a strong history of 'proper' foundation garments and corsetry. Amongst these names is 'Naturana' that, as can be seen from the catalogue page has a history going back to the 1970s (at least). It still exists today in multinational form and we have shown some models from their British pages.
The company Zours, still markets some very traditional products (below):
From some 1970s mail order catalogues:
and one of my favourites:
"Solide Form und Stützfunktion für die vollschlanke bis starke Figur"
even with no knowledge of German, I think you get the idea. Perhaps they should have said "nicht für schwache Nerven" or
"Not for the faint-hearted."