1999 Vivienne Westwood 'La Belle Helene' Collection Silk Off-Shoulder Corset Blouse & Full-Length Skirt Set

ID: 0217261

Size: medium

Condition: excellent

A striking Vivienne Westwood silk corset blouse and matching full-length skirt ensemble dating back to her beloved 1999 spring/summer collection. Vivienne Westwood emerged from London’s 1970s punk movement to become one of the most influential designers of the late 20th century. Known for fusing 18th-century references with rebellion, she reinterpreted corsetry, crinolines, and aristocratic tailoring through a distinctly subversive lens. Her 1999 spring/summer collection, titled 'La Belle Hélène', was a theatrical meditation on romance, history, and femininity. Vogue highlighted her masterful corsetry and sculptural tailoring as central to the collection’s impact, feeling both archival and forward-thinking.

This regal design was Look 78, modeled on the runway by Alek Wek, who wore the same sculptural corset top styled with a different skirt in a similar elongated cut. The silhouette is statuesque and deliberate. The black mid-weight silk skirt falls in a fluid line from the waist to the floor, skimming the hips before releasing into a slight back train. Its length creates a columnar effect that elongates the body, allowing you to glide across the floor with each step. Yet it is truly all about the corset blouse! The avant-garde block coloring immediately draws the eye; bold ivory silk panels frame the neckline in sharp contrast against the inky black base. The sculpted off-shoulders, which highlights the decolletage, mixed with softly puffed sleeves nod to historical dress while remaining unmistakably Westwood. Angled front closures are finished with her signature logo buttons. Beneath the exterior lies a fully boned interior corset, complete with structured seaming and a central zipper that precisely cinches the waist. Worn together, the ensemble delivers runway presence for that polished evening look. Styled separately, the corset blouse becomes a statement piece you can pair with tailored trousers or denim. This is a rare opportunity to own an iconic design from one of Britain's most radical minds in fashion.