the following interview comes from MYSTEAMYWAY BLOG
Mr. Pearl is one of the worlds most talented, appreciated and succesful modern corset designers. Mr. Pearl, or Mark Pullin as his real name is, was born 43 years ago in South Africa. Ever since childhood Pullin has been enchanted by ballet, (he is an old ballet dancer) corset and art. But exactly when, how and where did this huge fascination for corsets began?
“My grandmother wore corsets so I became fascinated by them,” he says. “They were always salmon-pink. She used to let me lace her up. It took a long time as there were lots of eyelets and laces, but it was a great treat.”
In 1994, Pullin moved to London and in 2002 Mr. Pearl headed to Paris, where his corset-art formed.
How does a man end up with a waist like this?
To achieve a figure such as Mr.Pearl’s, a corset must be worn all the time, every single day and night. It wasn’t like one day he woke up, and put on an 18″ corset, that reduced his normal waist measurement 12″! Severe waist reduction like this, as a rule, takes years. The person doing it must have a series of incrementally smaller corsets, which must be custom made in order to fit correctly, and strong enough to withstand the strain. They must also possess a great deal of self discipline, to wear a corset every day, despite negative social pressures.
Mr Pearl – how would you describe the feeling of wearing a corset to someone who has never had the opportunity to put one on?
“Permanent embrace” just about sums it up. There are also ways to behave when wearing a corset. Clients often have ideas or fantasies about this before the commissioning stage and later there is much to explore vis a vis heightened social interaction.
Mr Pearl – what fascinates you so much about the way they repress and transform the body?
The body bcomes voluptuous and palpably “there” rather than repressed.” Corset fashion has been revolutionised and is going to explode this year. Up until now the corset is absent from most women’s everyday wardrobe. Many people enjoy the nostalgic or sensual connotations of a corset.
Dita Von Teese with Mr Pearl
There are many famous faces who have been seen in a Mr. Pearl corset, among them is Dita Von Teese. When you ask Dita about Mr. Pearl, this is her answer;
“I feel very fortunate to know this man who lives for glamour and keeps this lost art of corsetry as it once was alive and well. In this era when everyone wants everything quickly and cheaply, Mr Pearl is here for those of us that comprehend the true art of haute couture, understand the value of it and are patient enough to take the time to let it happen.”
Mr Pearl is an extreme case of commitment to corset fashion but one we certainly can at least learn by and adapt our own approach to when wearing a corset.
Mr Pearl
Mr Pearl with Dita Von Teese
Gabriel Moginot Mr Pearls student
Gabriel Moginot with Kate-Moss, at the Ritz doing a vogue USA shoot this April 2012
This fashion accessory is not for the fainted hearted.
