Skip to main content
Alternatively search all objects in our collectionAlternatively search our collection
  • Shop
  • Account
Visit What's on Objects & Stories Schools & Communities Join & Support
  • Visit
  • Visit London Museum Docklands
  • Free galleries
  • Families
  • Access
  • London Museum Opening 2026
  • About the project
  • About the buildings
  • About the architects
  • What's on
  • Find events
  • Fun for families
  • Group visits
  • Free galleries
  • Top things to see for free
  • Fun for under-8s
  • Objects & Stories
  • Search the collections
  • About our collections
  • What's in your borough?
  • Browse by time period
  • Explore London stories
  • Blog
  • Schools & Communities
  • Schools
  • Schools sessions
  • Schools resources
  • Community engagement
  • Engagement Charter
  • Join & Support
  • Donate
  • Membership Coming soon...
  • Corporate support
  • Legacy gifts
  • Our supporters
  • Home
  • Visit
    • Back
    • Visit
    • Visit London Museum Docklands
    • Free galleries
    • Families
    • Access
    • London Museum Opening 2026
    • About the project
    • About the buildings
    • About the architects
  • What's on
    • Back
    • What's on
    • Find events
    • Fun for families
    • Group visits
    • Free galleries
    • Top things to see for free
    • Fun for under-8s
  • Objects & Stories
    • Back
    • Objects & Stories
    • Search the collections
    • About our collections
    • What's in your borough?
    • Browse by time period
    • Explore London stories
    • Blog
  • Schools & Communities
    • Back
    • Schools & Communities
    • Schools
    • Schools sessions
    • Schools resources
    • Community engagement
    • Engagement Charter
  • Join & Support
    • Back
    • Join & Support
    • Donate
    • Membership Coming soon...
    • Corporate support
    • Legacy gifts
    • Our supporters
  • Shop
  • Account
  • Home
  • Objects & Stories

Fashion — 1861-1871

Corset, acrobatic flying corset

Improving our records

We're actively looking for ways to improve our object records, including using artificial intelligence to generate alt text for some object images. If you think we've made a mistake or have information about an object that you'd like to share, you can fill in the details below.

Our collections contain objects and information which some people may consider sensitive or offensive. Some of the text was written in past decades and reflects the language and social attitudes of the time. Find out more

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The performer known as Azella likely started her career as a dancer at the Drury Lane Theatre, moving into trapeze and aerial performance with her husband working behind the scenes manipulating the wires required for her performance style. She probably performed aerially for the first time in 1865. According to her daughter, the act was so successful that it was used as the basis for a "flying ballet" that toured America for a few years before coming back to Britain.

This corset was worn by Azella for her aerial performances. The corset has a steel catch and metal spring where the wires, operated by her husband, were attached to the corset, to give the illusion of her flying without a traditional harness and visible wires. In the late 1860s, the San Francisco examiner remarked that "her performance is not a bit like any of the ordinary mechanical effects of the stage, for there is nothing in it to suggest the use of wires or pulleys or anything of the sort." However the construction of the corset reveals the truth behind the mystery of her performance. There are a number of visual depictions of Azella, but none of them show this garment, suggesting it was likely hidden beneath other elements of her costume.

Azella is generally credited as the first woman to perform and "fly" using the trapeze. This reputation was cemented in 1868, when she performed for a period at the Royal Amphitheatre and Circus in Holborn, London. In April 1868 The Sun newspaper reported on Azella's performance: "Azella, whose unrivalled performance on the flying trapeze, including a flight across the arena of 100 feet, terminating in a somersault at an elevation of 30 feet from the platform, has created a complete furore" Quoting the Standard from March 11th, the article continued: "The flying trapeze act is the speciality of Azella, a lady of faultless contour and prepossessing mien. The performances of the fair artiste excited the genuine enthusiasm of the house [...] and terminated amid deafening applause. She was honoured with a quadruple recall, and even compelled to appear a fifth time to receive the homage of her admirers." She also received some criticism for her performances from those who felt it was innappropriate for a woman to exhibit herself in this way, and to show off a muscular physique.

In early April Azella had an accident mid performance when she missed the trapeze she was swinging towards and fell around eight feet to the ground, landing on her front. She was carried off the stage and examined by a surgeon who announced that she had injured the muscles of her arm.

Azella toured around Europe for a few years, returning to London in 1872 for the grand re-opening of the Grand Cirque and Amphitheatre, Holborn. Mademoiselle Azella was now the "Directress". With new management, a renovated and redecorated venue, and performers largely new to London, Azella was the exception on the bill of a performer well-known to London audiences. An article pronounced her the "heroine of the flying trapeze". One of the new performers she brought with her was Mademoiselle. Rosita, who would perform alongside Azella in a mid-air routine. This may have been her sister.

Category:
Fashion
Object ID:
93.94/1
Object name:
corset, acrobatic flying corset
Object type:

corset, acrobatic flying corset

Artist/Maker:
—
Related people:

Related events:

Related places:

Production date:
1861-1871
Material:

cotton, leather, steel

Measurements/duration:
H 620 mm, W 300 mm, D 185 mm, C 530 mm (waist), C 730 mm (bust) (overall)
Part of:
—
On display:
—
Record quality:
100%
Part of this object:
—
Owner Status & Credit:

Permanent collection

Copyright holder:

digital image © London Museum

Image credit:
—
Creative commons usage:
—
License this image:

To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.

Tags

Fashion Victorian Fashion & Style Lifestyle & Leisure
  • London Museum

    London Museum

    Smithfield
    London EC1A 9PS

    Opening 2026
  • London Museum Docklands

    London Museum Docklands

    No. 1 Warehouse
    West India Quay
    London E14 4AL
    Tube & DLR: Canary Wharf
    or West India Quay

    Monday to Sunday:
    10am – 5pm
    Free entry

  • London Museum Stores

    London Museum Stores

    46 Eagle Wharf Road
    London N1 7ED

    Currently closed to the public

  • London Museum Spaces

    London Museum Spaces

    150 London Wall
    London EC2Y 5HN

    Open for venue hire only

Subscribe and get email updates:

Subscribe

Share your London experiences with us:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Visit
  • London Museum
  • London Museum Docklands
  • Families
  • Plan your visit
  • Ticketing info
  • Access
  • What's on
  • Free galleries
  • Group visits
  • Objects & Stories
  • About our collections
  • What we collect
  • Collections access & enquiries
  • Managing our collections
  • Improving our collections
  • Schools & Communities
  • Schools
  • Schools sessions
  • Schools resources
  • Community engagement
  • About
  • Our locations
  • Careers
  • Press
  • Supporting London Museums
  • Policies
  • Contact us
  • Join & Support
  • Donate
  • Membership
  • Corporate support
  • London stories
  • Blog
  • Browse by borough
  • Browse by time period
  • Commercial
  • Venue hire
  • Picture Library
  • Location filming & photography
  • Visit
  • London Museum
  • London Museum Docklands
  • Families
  • Plan your visit
  • Ticketing info
  • Access
  • What's on
  • Free galleries
  • Group visits
  • Objects & Stories
  • About our collections
  • What we collect
  • Collections access & enquiries
  • Managing our collections
  • Improving our collections
  • Schools & Communities
  • Schools
  • Schools sessions
  • Schools resources
  • Community engagement
  • About
  • Our locations
  • Careers
  • Press
  • Supporting London Museums
  • Policies
  • Contact us
  • Join & Support
  • Donate
  • Membership
  • Corporate support
  • London stories
  • Blog
  • Browse by borough
  • Browse by time period
  • Commercial
  • Venue hire
  • Picture Library
  • Location filming & photography
City of London logo Supported by Mayor of London logo Supported using public funding by Arts Council England logo
Bloomberg Philanthropies

The London Museum website was developed with the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Digital Accelerator for Arts and Culture.

  • Terms of use
  • Privacy policy
  • Website accessibility policy
Museum of London registered charity number 1139250