Catherine de Medici, Queen of France from 1547 to 1559, introduced Italian Renaissance styles to the French court. Coming from a wealthy Florentine family, Catherine brought with her an appreciation for opulence and elaborate designs, which transformed French fashion. She popularised the use of luxurious fabrics such as silk and velvet, adorned with intricate embroidery and embellishments. The iconic French ruff, a stiff collar that became a staple of aristocratic attire, is believed to have been promoted by her.
The idea of corsets was popularised by Catherine de Medici in France during the 1500s, quickly gaining acceptance among the French court. These early corsets were tightly fitted bodices worn underneath clothing, and the women of the French court considered them essential for enhancing the female silhouette. By the mid-16th century, corsets had become common attire for women throughout Europe and Great Britain. A “busk,” a long, flat strip made of whalebone or wood, was introduced to be placed in the corset’s casing, providing it with a rigid structure instead of using traditional boning.
