Meet Bridgerton’s secret weapon: The corset king behind fashion’s most breathtaking outfits

Meet Bridgerton’s secret weapon: The corset king behind fashion’s most breathtaking outfits

You would think that corsets – and the art of making them – had been left behind in the 19th Century.

But the makers of bodice-ripping hit Bridgerton had undercover knowledge.

They sought out the skills of corsetier Mark Erskine Pullin, also known as Mr Pearl, a secret weapon for celebrities when they want to look simply breathtaking.

Victoria Beckham was said to have asked for a ‘Scarlett O’Hara waist’ when she married David in 1999, and so wore a Mr Pearl bodice beneath her Vera Wang gown.

Kylie Minogue wore his corsets for her 2005 Showgirl tour and more recently he has worked with reality star Kim Kardashian.

The makers of Netflix hit Bridgerton sought out the expertise of corsetier to the stars Mr Pearl when costuming the cast

Mark Erskine Pullin, also known as Mr Pearl, (pictured) has worked with celebrities including Kylie Minogue, Kim Kardashian and Victoria Beckham [File photo]

Mark Erskine Pullin, also known as Mr Pearl, (pictured) has worked with celebrities including Kylie Minogue, Kim Kardashian and Victoria Beckham [File photo]

Bridgerton’s costume designer Ellen Mirojnick said there was ‘nobody in the world’ like Mr Pearl and his ‘magnificent’ work.

His bodices were designed to be similar to those worn in 1813, when the drama is set.

However, they were adapted to allow for ease of movement and instead of creating an hourglass, the focus of the engineering was on the bosom. 

Miss Mirojnick told Page Six: ‘The shape of the corset just hugged underneath the bosom, shaping the cups and the shoulders so the bosom was without a question accented in the most beautiful way.’

Among the actresses to wear them were Phoebe Dynevor, who stars as Daphne Bridgerton. 

Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington, shared an image from the corset-fitting process on Twitter. 

The Irish actress wrote: ‘Wearing my custom corset made for #Bridgerton by the incredible artist and wonderful man, Mr Pearl. Having something made for you by the world’s foremost corsetier is very special.’

Nicola Coughlan in full costume as Penelope Featherington

Coughlan posing in a behind-the-scenes snap showing her custom-made Mr Pearl corset

Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton, shared an image from the corset-fitting process on Twitter

Despite her admiration, Miss Coughlan revealed it was still uncomfortable wearing one. 

‘I don’t know if there are corsetry acting awards, but I would like one for doing a full jig in this,’ she joked. 

‘Taking off a corset at the end of the day just feels incredible. It’s a bra times 10,000.’

Kylie Minogue wore his corsets for her 2005 Showgirl tour and more recently he has worked with reality star Kim Kardashian [File photo]

Kylie Minogue wore his corsets for her 2005 Showgirl tour and more recently he has worked with reality star Kim Kardashian [File photo]

Kim Kardashian wore a Mr Pearl corset under her dripping Thierry Mugler outfit at the 2019 MET Gala

Kim Kardashian wore a Mr Pearl corset under her dripping Thierry Mugler outfit at the 2019 MET Gala

Victoria Beckham pictured in 2018 in the Vera Wang dress featuring a Mr Pearl corset that she wore to marry David Beckham in 1999

Victoria Beckham pictured in 2018 in the Vera Wang dress featuring a Mr Pearl corset that she wore to marry David Beckham in 1999