© Kirstin Sinclair. Courtesy of Fashion and Textile Museum.

Tomorrow, London’s Fashion and Textile Museum will be inaugurating a saucy little exhibition, Undercover: The Evolution of Underwear.

Created with the participation of numerous lingerie labels, including La Perla, Christian Dior and Myla,  the display will feature a racy collection of undergarments sourced from personal to public collections that will take viewers on a historical tour through the evolution of lingerie.

Attending an exclusive press launch earlier today, Elle Macpherson opened the exhibition, remarking, “Designing lingerie has been my passion for the last twenty years and so I was delighted to get involved when the FTM approached me to collaborate on their upcoming lingerie exhibition. The exhibits are so diverse and inspirational as they cover the entire history of lingerie innovation and design, and I’m honored to have some of my designs included.”

Pieces on display will include an original Merry Widow corset inspired by Lana Turner in the 1952 film of the same name; a gown made from bras and briefs by designers Vin & Omi and a La Perla bra encrusted with Swarovski crystals.

For the occasion, La Perla has designed a limited edition boudoir macramé mask (£29) and a delicate leavers lace corset-style cuff £25) to be sold exclusively at the Shop@FTM with all proceeds going to Breast Cancer Care.

Undercover: The Evolution of Underwear, June 12 - September 27 2009, Fashion and Textile Museum, 83 Bermondsey St, London, SE1, United Kingdom; T: +44 20 7407 8664