Shine Bright Like Christian Lacroix Spring/Summer 1996 Couture Corset

When it comes to legendary couturiers, Christian Lacroix quickly springs to mind. Launching his eponymous label in 1987, Lacroix soon made headlines with historical garments, meticulous attention to detail, and a discerning approach to luxury design – characterized by vibrant shades á la Mediterranean, intricate embroidery, and sophisticated fabrics. 

With a lineup that included drama gowns, vivid hues, sultry laced bodices, floral headpieces, whimsical yet chic prints, vibrant jackets and coats, power hats, and refined ensembles, nothing compares to the now iconic crystal corset with pearls and butterfly detailing that shines like a diamond. As the model graced the runway with an alluring aura, a metallic purple billowy skirt and lilac opera gloves, what stood out and made everyone take a glance was the corset.  

From being worn by Beyoncé in the music video clip Partition in 2014 to being featured in magazine editorials – as seen on Rihanna for The Perfect Magazine in 2024 –, the item has solidified its popularity with fashion audiences. Even after all these years, when the piece became available for purchase on TheRealReal app, fashionistas on X (formerly Twitter) were all smitten – hoping to see in the Metropolitan Museum steps, in this year’s Met Gala event, which was themed "The Garden of Time." But when a photo shoot featuring the shiny corset in No Kill Magazine was published, the sparkle vanished. Highly disliked by fashionistas for the styling – where the model wore it with a pair of jeans and an unflattering white blouse underneath –, fashion netizens expressed disapproval over the magazine's access to the piece, which belonged to a collector – though she preferred the term "treasure hunter" – named Joanna Simel Pose. 

Despite all the controversies, the creation still retains its appeal to this day, enchanting fashionistas worldwide with its undeniable radiance, like a magic spell. Recently, entrepreneur and philanthropist Mona Patel attended the 2024 British Fashion Awards in the legendary corset, putting that sense of charm back into red carpet fashion.