Rock star Brian May reveals the hidden world of the crinoline — in magnificent Victorian 3D

When a press release with the words “Brian May”, “crinoline” and “underwear” pops into our inbox, we sit up and take notice. This mix of rather unusual elements all come together with the imminent publication of Crinoline: Fashion’s Most Magnificent Disaster (£50), which has been co-authored by the famous Queen guitarist (available 16 April to coincide with the launch of the Victoria and Albert exhibition, Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear). May has brought together a selection of images showing Victorian ladies in all their finery—but these are not lifeless pictures of demure dames but 3D stereoscopic images of women flouncing in their meringue-esque under garments. “Crinolines and stereoscopic photographs were twin sensations of the mid 19th century. We, the authors of this book, decided it was fitting that they should be reunited in the 21st century, and their intimate association recognised at last,” say May and Denis Pellerin in a statement. Brian owns the London Stereoscopic Company—and has even created a modern-day stereoscope to view the outlandish imagery of the crinoline underskirts, bringing all those frills and frippery vividly to life.