Always unlace the back of a corset before unhooking the front busk closure. Busks made in China have been getting a bad rap but even the sturdiest busks made in Germany, like the one on this corset, will break with too much stress. Typically, most people undo the bottom hooks first and work their way up. Because this corset was not unlaced properly beforehand, too much stress made the top metal stud pop! Once a real corset is made, it cannot be altered without compromising its strength and quality as a functional garment.
Always take time to unlace the back first. You’re gonna have to unlace it to put it on again, anyways…