Former Silhouette Corsets designer Pamela Turner dies at 83

Pamela Turner, who was born and brought up in Shrewsbury, died on May 9 after a short illness.

She was the former chief designer and buyer at Corset Silhouette, based in Harlescott.

The company, which originated in Germany, moved to Shropshire where it also had several satellite factories, during the Blitz.

In the early to mid 1930s, it specialised in making bras and suspender belts as well as the world's first and perhaps only radioactive corset.

Pamela, who qualified as a designer at Leicester College of Art and gained experience at Warners in America, joined the firm soon after the war ended.

He brother John Edwards, said: "The vibrant company was expanding and moving in to the design and production of swimwear and underwear.

"New headquarters were built in Harlescott and Market Drayton. Pamela was at the heart of this and headed a large design team. She was also the company buyer and responsible for the Marks & Spencer account."

Later Pamela, who was married to Harry, ran her own fashion and wedding shop in Shrewsbury where she often raised money for local charities by holding fashion shows.

"Pamela will be sadly missed by her friends and family," said John.

Chris Eldon Lee, who wrote a play about Silhouette in 2009, said: "I was very sad to hear of Pamela's death. She revolutionised women's clothing, in particular under clothing and swim wear and she devoted her life to Silhouette.

"She was exceptionally helpful when I was writing the play and was delighted with the finished product. She came to see it several times. She was a very elegant lady who wanted to keep the name of Silhouette alive."

Examples of Silhouette's products are on exhibition in Shrewsbury Museum.

The funeral will take place on Tuesday at 1.45pm at Emstrey Crematorium.

Silhouette had over 3,500 workers at the peak, and was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1959

The company had an excellent social side and a very successful keep-fit club that was run by an international gymnast.

It sold products to the major high street retailers including Marks and Spencer and Littlewoods and Great Universal stores and to the Catalogue companies including Kays. The company expanded its range of products to include swimwear and again sold well into the high street with its own brands.

In 1979 Silhouette was taken over by another public company, WL Pawson & Son Ltd. Within a couple of years Pawsons collapsed and the Shropshire factories were closed down and the brand name was sold on.