31 JANUARY 1969, Page 26

Fashion and fetishism

Sir: I am at present working on a serious historical study of fashion and its relationship to fetishism for Nelson's Natural History of Society series. In particular, I am trying to trace any information (contemporary literary refer- ences, correspondence and so on) relating to the controversy surrounding tight-lacing and corsetry, c. 1860-1914, and would be most grateful for any help that your' readers might be able to give. Any evidence of a personal

nature will be treated with the utmost con- fidence and any documents returned promptly.

David Kunzle do the Editor, Natural History of Society Series, Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd, 36 Park Street, Park Lane, London WI