Be it a latex skirt, a rubber mask, any kind of chainmail accessory, you know we are all about pushing boundaries of fashion and style. But as we have reported on plenty, one doesn’t usually find such way-out attempts during the haute couture of worldwide Fashion Month. A quick check though of what was just revealed recently in Milan, New York and London did actually surprise us.
Being a huge proponent of the various Vogue magazines around the world, as well as seeing quite a bit of our latex couture featured on models in those magazines, when a story about Vogue appears across the web we certainly take a gander. This week there was quite the controversy brewing over Kim Kardashian and Vogue India.
Besieged by superhero movies, we are all well aware of latex couture, PVC, rubber, and leather being the basis of our most recent movie costuming. But there has been styles/wardrobes/make-up and even everyday items worn in Hollywood movies that become iconic above and beyond the possible ‘interesting’ material they are made from. James Dean’s cherry-red windbreaker from Rebel Without a Cause is one such famous movie wardrobe piece. That jacket comes up for action this week.
Whether someone takes inspiration for an outfit they create from a piece of Dawnamatrix latex couture or a bunch of models recreate a famous fashion add, in any instance, “imitation is still the sincerest form of flattery.” In alternate fashion as well as across the mainstream world, we have all seen an idea, a specific color or cut, even a cosplay trend become so popular in such a short period of time it spreads like wildfire and is imitated seeming to infinity.
Whether it’s wearing all black or adorned with a white rose-although, much to our chagrin, no seeming latex couture ever involved-the color of dresses seem to be of utmost importance when it comes to actresses standing in sartorial solidarity with #MeToo and “Time’s Up.” But at the just passed BAFTA Awards, none other the Kate Middleton did not adhere to the all-black dress code.
The Norwegians have previously worn all sorts of patterned trousers but this color concoction display was special.
Not outdoing the Norwegians in color, Mexico’s Olympics skiers have adorned their black suits with skulls. Six time Olympic Mexico skier Hubertus Von Hohenlohe was inspired from his home country’s Dia de los Muertos holiday, to create these uniforms.
A mere decade ago we wouldn’t be talking ‘sets,’ the influence of non-broadcast T.V. on fashion or even the fact that so many of the shows during New York Fashion Week happen at so many ‘off-site’ locations. But things for Calvin Klein, Coach and pretty much everybody else has changed so much in the hate couture world (it’s even a wonder we are still actually having a New York Fashion week considering sponsor problems in the past few years).
Available exclusively on Dawnamatrix.com, we’re proud to announce the new Acrylic Amour Collection, modern acrylic and stainless steel designs to perfectly accessorize latex clothing. I happen to be collaborating with AAC designer Snow Winters on an upcoming project for WOW and are featuring her unique jewelry (the first time for Dawnamatrix) in our catalogue.
As Wonder Woman did for feminism in comics, it looks like Black Panther may do for people of color in the Marvel universe and the concept of retaining one’s culture across the world stage. And all of it enhanced by a costume designer’s attention to the detail of rich tradition and culture.
The time is always right for us to appreciate anyone who contributed to the culture in such a unique, and shall we say, fashionable way. Surely what was considered fetish wardrobe way back when isn’t any longer and these days stylists as well as photographers are getting their due. But to be working in such specific costuming in the 40’s and 50’s, when one could get arrested (Guyette did indeed get arrested) for publishing photographs of women in these specific clothes, is a story all its own…and one that Seves tells, once again, in the 2nd edition of his book.
We experienced quite the intake of clutched breath as Rihanna walked up on the Grammy’s stage with Kendrick Lamar, seemingly draped in a plum-colored latex outfit. On closer inspection (and reading about her wardrobe today post the show) we are all coming to learn that the superstar singer was sporting a patent-leather trench coat, gloves and floppy boots created by Alexandre Vauthier Haute Couture.
It seems the latest issue of Vanity Fair has fashionistas, fans and eagle-eyed spotters truly excited. The cover of the magazine’s 2018 Hollywood issue features a group of big time movie-dom movers and shakers. Harrison Ford, Gal Gadot, Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks, to name just a few, are posed with Reese Witherspoon cuddling up next to Oprah Winfrey…and there-in lies the trouble. By optical illusion that quite often happens in even the most elite haute couture photography, and this picture was shot by Annie Leibowitz’s now less, it seems that Reese Witherspoon sports three legs visible through the slit in her gown
What was of notice to some, and certainly to us at Dawnamatrix given our penchant for (and selling of) such accessories, were the masks models were wearing down the runway. Stephen Jones created stunning seeming face extensions for models wearing Maria Grazia Chiuri designs. Certainly the masks were perfect for this type of gathering and in some circles, people were talking about them as much as they were Bella Hadid’s display.
God knows, Marvel superhero films of late have certainly given us all a thrill, if one indulges in cosplay or not. All the while we waited with baited breath when latex wardrobe would be considered in the main moda world, and then just this week we caught sight of video from a Moschino show. Low and behold, there was our most beloved material on models strutting down the runway.
Presently Ben and I are putting together an outfit for next year’s WOW show (their 30th anniversary show actually). Lana and I are working on one too. Now that we have a taste of WOW, we want to be involved with them as much as we can for the future. You can bet we want to be there, our latest latex concoctions in hand, come September 27th at the TSB Arena in Wellington.
Being the soon-to-be ex-wife of Harvey Weinstein certainly could invest all manner of bad press on Georgina Chapman and her brand. In fact, in what has been revealed of her husband’s alleged abuses, it seems at times he threatened to black-ball actresses if they failed to wear his wife’s clothes across various red carpets. Still Chapman and her partner Keren Craig soldier on into the New Year with a collection of autumnal greens and dark prints, as well a vibrant purples and red.
Starring Winona Ryder, this one-minute clip of the “Stranger Things” mom has her backstage readying herself in her dressing room. Winona plays with her hair, reads a note card attached to flowers, and studies a script, as a stirring Lea’s Michele’s “Anything Possible,” swirls behind her and the point is made about comebacks. Like it or not, this clip blew up across Twitter, arguably landing just as loudly as the fashions of the night and even Oprah Winfrey’s Golden Globes’ speech.
Like all of you, we waited we with baited breath over how Mariah might come across in Times Square this time around. As we all might remember the controversy of her last year attempt when Mariah’s onstage monitors became problematic, at best, during her two-song attempt of “Auld Lang Syne,” and her hit “Emotions.” The Twitter barbs and online accusations that went back and forth between the singer and Dick Clark Productions all seemed to be mended for this year and in that so extreme cold NYC night Mariah performed “Vision of Love” and “Hero” flawlessly.
Don’t worry, you can count on us to keep up. Being part of the alternative fashion universe, and rendering latex especially, we can’t help but recognize the latest of technology as far as textile art and latex clothing making. It’s just the nature of what we do that our clothing is seen in connection with the latest in costume designing, high-tech magazine set designs and made for the most forward-thinking costumers, be they celebrity divas, The World of WearableArt or you.
Then too we have to assume that our best and brightest celebrities, whether they be musicians, models or reality stars, will continue to push their own level of branding as well as stepping-out style. And there too we will see innovations, as we will stutter steps, as truly marvelous wardrobes rise like cream to the top of our cultural coffee brew. How much of this couture will be made of latex?
Looking ahead into 2018 what do you ‘see’ when you consider latex in your life? Are you looking to buy a new latex kimono or might this be the year you finally wiggle your sexy self into come steampunk inspired gear? Are you planning to take in any of a number of those lifestyle events happening around the world, as much to network as to play as to simply dress up at? Are you looking to branch out in your fantasy costuming wear to include come rubber clothing or PVC into your rotation?
Red carpet photo ops at celebrity events and televised Hollywood award shows are certainly perfect opportunities for designers to show their latest across the bodies of our greatest. But nothing seems to effect the world like a royal lady.
In the previous teasers and posted snapped shots from the production of the upcoming Ocean’s 8 movie, we have seen so much fashion. Not simply cinema wardrobe but the band of merry (all women) thieves in this movie are fashionably appointed and the plot is set right in the middle of the fashion universe; the ladies manage their main heist at the Met Gala. As reported so far, the haute couture cameos in this movie are plenty. Kim Kardashian was spotted on set wearing a sheer white Givenchy, her sister Kendall Jenner in Elie Saab, Kylie Jenner in a velour tracksuit, and Alexander Wang, Tommy Hilfiger and Anna Wintour all set to make appearances as well.
For us, latex accessories are as important as the shirts, catsuits and full wardrobe pieces we make. The two pictures here feature our latex gloves and our Premium Thigh Highs married with fabric garments shot for a urban/Boho shoot ‘PUFF,’ done locally.
The cosplay possibilities have always been of a high order with Star Wars, although it’s not so often we get to see latex styles in the mix of costuming. Most sci-fi, not just George Lucas’ masterpiece, gives us fans of fantasy and costuming lots to love. With the premier of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, mere days away, some real world fashion is coming into play over the movie, as Christian Louboutin celebrates the daring ladies in the space opera, in a most unique way.
The WOW showcase, entitled, Six Worlds of WOW is the National WOW Museum’s exhibition of finalist garments from the 2017 WOW Awards Show. …our “The Messenger” among them. This is the piece we created with Lana Crooks and with which we took 3rd prize in the WOW “Red” category.
Not that one would expect Carol Burnett to be wearing a latex catsuit, but the famous lady comedian was sporting a designer dress on her Carol Burnett 50th Anniversary Special. And the designer of her dress was a man who dressed Mrs. Burnett for the entire run of her famous variety show, and a man synonymous with the very best costuming in Hollywood and truly worthy of a tribute: Bob Mackie.
Changing through 8 different looks, some of which show quite a bit of her, Cher gives any of us latex clothing wearers and alt. wardrobe lovers a sure challenge with her Classic Cher show currently running in Las Vegas. By recent Twitter compliments the 71-year old diva is as much making great song selections from her famous career as she is wild costume design choices.
Victoria’s, A look back: Designers’ Day 2017 details surely one of the highlights of the World of WearableArt Awards Show, the annual Designers’ Day program.
he ubiquitous hunky fireman’s calendar might just get beat in 2018 for one featuring latex models. When one considers what German couple Sarathustra and blende666 are presently unleashing to the world, we all might want to take a step back and consider what’s really cool. Once again the creative couple based in Bochum German,y have managed to present the year ahead in startling sexy display, this year with models wearing that textile art we are all most familiar with and love. Their “YourFeitshYear 2018” is a scrumptious and certainly alternative take on The New Year ahead.
We have certainly seen our share of latex costuming, wildly horrific images and incredible star turns on the various seasons of FX’s American Horror Story. American Crime Story (sharing two of AHS’s producers and both appearing on the same network) just revealed a trailer for the 2nd season of its true crime anthology series. The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story is a 10-episode look into the 1997 killing of the fashion giant by serial killer Andrew Cunanan.
Seeing that Kim Kardashian didn’t break anything on her own cover of this same magazine three years ago, Nicki Minaj will probably not break anything either. But boy is the lady always upping the ante on what she might do and how she comes to wear latex and other alternate fashions to pretty much make our day.
Moschino finally released their transparent garment bag “Cape Sheer Overlay Dress” to the retail market this week. The plastic dry-cleaner’s bag is part of the ‘trash-collection’ the designer debut at Fall 2017 Milan Fashion Week. The clear full length gown is selling for $900.00, while a mini version sells for $600.00.
Now Fashion for Conservation will be bringing designs from the show (including some of our pieces) to Seattle’s Axis Pioneer Square (located at 308 1st Ave S., Seattle, WA 98104) for a cocktail fashion event, once again, fighting for conservation.
With next year’s Met Gala theme just officially confirmed, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” it’s is obvious these celebrity fashion events, competitions, fashion shows and galas, all look to make significant contributions. The influence and expose the fashion world, as they do culture on a grand scale, with everyone watching, posting and posing. It’s just heartening to keep seeing alternative wardrobe styling, albeit only a few really standing out at this year’s CFDA, making their mark.
To see our wardrobe pieces adorn the likes of Katy Perry or featured in magazines throughout the world, is also an honor and thrill. And then just to hang out with our fellow fashion fashionistas, as much admiring their work as being complimented on ours, rewards us in ways we can’t describe. But to be recognized recently by the school we learned so much of our craft in, as we just were in this Pratt Institute News piece, puts an icing on the cake that we have been hard baking the past few months.