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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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Models (on the left) 80, 100, 110
and 111 Many optional extras (below) are
available for these garments. |
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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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These garments come in beige and white with black as
an occasional option (see below), however, plain
fabric or jacquard is a choice. Personally I would like to have some
suspenders on my garment. I'm sure the fit and cut prevent any 'riding-up',
however, I like my foundations anchored by the stockings.
Perhaps the long-leg extensions would provide that
extra security.
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Corsets,
Panty-girdles and Back Supports
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Stomach Binder and Model 75
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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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Footnote
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 Longline-Bra in whole. The seams on the edge are boned with a spiral
on the full length, In the middle the jaquard is used again as
double-layer so both garments hamonize very fine
A close view on the cup and the front-closure with hook an eyes (riveted)
The same details as on 0013 - here you have a better look on the lace on the
upper part of the cup
Detailed view on the front closure. The riveted eyes fit perfectly under the
jacquard-tissue
Here you can see the position of the spiral on the seams on the edge
The backside of the bra in the whole with the back-lacing
Detailed view on the materials and workmanship of the back-lacing
All parts and details of the two garments can be ordered at Figesta to add
them to the standard-version, only the row of hook and eyes to open the crotch
complete is a special wish but was no problem for Figesta.
The Longleg-Panty in whole. In the middle you can see the Zipper,
rounded with cotton-jacquard, the panty itself is made of two layers of
elastic tulle
A look on the inside (in this case the backside) of the Panty in a whole with
the detachable garters (the detach-hook is covered in the small pockets)
Back to the outside: a detailed look on the jacquard-center with the zipper
and the row of hook and eyes to open the whole crotch
Detailed look on the abdominal supporters, which are adjustable by four rows
of four hooks and eyes
Here you can see the abdominal supporters on the backside of the panty. they
start in that seam in which a bone is inserted
A view on the opened abdominal supporters an the outstanding quality of
workmanship, also you can see the spiral which is inserted in the long seam at
the leg which goes from the waist to the end of the panty
A view on the opened zipper and the riveted hooks and eyes under that zipper
Here you can see the elastic and with small silicone-pads coated band
This is a look on the fully opened crotch and inside the panty
View on the zipper and the soft tissue covering the riveted hooks on the
inside of the panty
Detailed view on the adjustable and detachable garters on the inside of the
panty
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.
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."
