Whether this year Coldplay and Beyoncé will recreate their seemingly controversially cliché India homage when playing “Hymn For the Weekend,” many of us alternative fashion wearers are hoping for even a hint of fun at Super Bowl 50’s half time.
We all know Victorian-era clothing is just perfect for dress-up possibilities and seeing as Seth Grahame-Smith’s 2009 parody story mashed-up Jane Austin with flesh eaters, we get comely lasses in lace and petticoats dispatching monsters across a blood-soaked English countryside. But what the ladies of the time wear under their outfits is what most interests Hot Topic here, as they have managed to produce a new line of unmentionables for fans of the movie…or just ladies who wish some extra special dressing-up under their everyday wardrobes.
She’s still not sporting any latex accessories, but the 2016 Barbie, as just announced from its maker Mattel, certainly is seeing some interesting modernizing. And it’s not so much the cars, planes or even the fantasy wardrobe the doll is getting anew, as it is options in body types that makes this year’s plastic lady so interesting.
James has traveled widely to undisclosed and out-of-bounds locales capturing the decay of often stunning locations for nearly 3 years now. On one of these ‘typical’ outings recently James went out to shoot a series of images for designers in abandoned locations across Europe. In October 2015 this adventurous/adventuring photographer approached us to shoot our latex fashion design in some of these deserted locations. The stunning pictures you see here are the results from a weekend of image making, climbing and driving for James and his two models Jade Stacy Maria & Sadie Ann.
Very much how the infamous documentary Paris Is Burning did a quarter of a century ago, the KIKI story takes off now twenty five years later, revealing a group of young adults trying their best to develop a ‘safe space’ at their fashion and dance balls. The men who appeared in “Paris” were self-proclaimed drag queens, showing as much of their homemade frocks as they did their ability to vogue in ways Madonna could never have imaged (in fact Voguing house dancing began in the 80’s Harlem ballroom scene well before Madonna appropriated it for her 1990 hit and “Paris” featured it with such aplomb the same year); KIKI as much shows the evolution of voguing as it does delve deep into LGBT gender identity in the modern age.
Authors Rita Catinella Orrell and designer Jason Scuderi have created a luscious hard cover here of items one could certainly seriously desire. Scuderi and Orrell contacted us about a year ago and with photographer Paul Allan shooting the pictures (we have worked plenty with the super talented Mr. Allan before) we brought to life the Dawnamatrix style of latex fashion for the book’s Fashion and Jewelry section.
From the flaxen haired folk troubadour, to pushing past the boundaries of androgyny (and more or less inventing glam rock) with his spaceman alter ego Ziggy Stardust (certainly influencing some of own ‘space oddity’ styles https://dawnamatrix.com/shop/new-items/plugsuit-style-catsuit/ & https://dawnamatrix.com/shop/collections/classics/spiked-bodysuit/ . to pursuing Orwellian soundscapes as a Diamond Dog, then mining “Philly Soul” as the emaciated Thin White Duke (a period in his life where Bowie himself said he was scared by what he was becoming), to celebrating the synth laden dark tonalities of “Krautrock,” to all his acting, producing, writing songs for others, laying down the price of “Fame” with John Lennon, to selling stock in his songwriting royalties seeing well into the digital age and then releasing brilliant albums this century, up to his last Blackstar, released just last week on the man’s 69th birthday, containing all too prophetic songs like “Lazarus” (see the video embedded here…and Bowie just broke Vevo’s music video record) really is there anybody better then David Bowie?
The continued championing of alternative wardrobe pieces and avant-garde style accessories keeps brands like Dawnamatrix to the forefront of modern fashion. Celebs wearing our wares, even just a mention from a Kim Kardashian, is some of the very best advertising we could ever hope for. These moments for us specifically, married with the upward trajectory general mainstreaming of latex in the past few years-from reported cosplay wear to celebs like Kim strutting in bodysuits across red carpets, to styles seen in “American Horror Story”-has truly made latex so popular.
A latex catsuit, rubber clothing, fantasy costuming is damn sexy and is used often for characterizations of naughtiness that can range from coy expressions of sexuality, to outright kink and fetishes. It all works for us, from the high couture to the tie-me-up-for-a-spanking scene (in real life or film); like you all, we are just tickled when the latex is brought out, in any way it can be!
The sexiness of an ‘alternative’ wardrobe, non mainstream fashion is seen time and again (so much so in fact that many a layman fashionista-if there can be such a person-often comes to link latex/rubber/PVC clothing as being always about something sexual) as we have reported often and is seen in stark example on the new Showtime offering Billions.
The Kardashian/Jenner corporation made plenty of waves in print, as well as on the net (or one because/feeding the other): there was Caitlyn Jenner’s debut on the cover of and in Vanity Fair and Kylie Jenner posing for those controversial wheelchair “Interview” mag pics…in a photoshoot that saw her posed as the famous Hatstand/Table and Chair sculpture, as much as wearing some Dawnamatrix fantasy outfit accessories.
Our excitement over Katy Perry wearing out latex couture in the new Covergirl “Plumpify” Mascara commercial continues. We have just learned that a print add from the commercial-showing Dawnamatrix couture-has appeared in a two-page spread in the January 2016 issue of U.S. Vogue.
We were contacted by stylist Andrew Richardson over the summer to create a larger-than-life look for the “Fireworks” singer, pieces as sexy as they were unusual, for a Covergirl “Plumpify Mascara” commercial. Dressing a woman known for her outrageous and innovative fantasy costume designs, someone who can straddle both the sexy and the silly, a pop star of infinite different looks and persona, we knew we had to bring the very best to this assignment and take the word “Plumpify” to a whole new level.
Yes, the upcoming Pirelli calendar is getting lots of press-and the women posing in that famous Italian fashion export are not even nude this year or even wearing latex outfits-it’ the annual LOVE Magazine Advent calendar that seems to be earning the most attention for its salacious content. With their pictures and videos of scantily clad celeb ladies rounding out their month of days, we see lots of high-waisted panties and bra sets, dangling garters (or those attached to stockings) model Zendaya going way out in a 2001: A Space Odyssey homage and Pamela Anderson (the last woman to appear completely nude in “Playbo0y” magazine actually) in classic black 50’s lingerie. Kendall Jenner even walks through video fire in her own stocking and garter set while wearing various fur coats.
Superstars in their own right, funny ladies Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and some heavy weight celeb lady friends (like Amy Schumer) took on the idea of squadgoals in an SNL parody of Swift’s “Bad Blood” video when the Golden Globes/”Sisters” movie pair hosted Saturday Night Live just this past week. Called “Tina & Amy’s Dope Squad” the video included appearances from Fey and Poehler’s gynecologist (yes, they actually go to the same lady parts doctor) their nannies, the afore mentioned Schumer and even Robert Downey Sr. in their hilarious send-up (see here.)
Now this might turn out to be fun…and we might even get to see some latex couture in the process. Margaret Cho has just been announced as the new co-host of E!’s ‘Fashion Police.’ Joining Melissa Rivers, Guiliana Rancic and Brad Goresky, the commediane will be dissing celebrity couture right after the Golden Globe’s telecast. …
here exists an organization and website to support the celebration tomorrow. You can read about how to exactly participate in the day, buy a sweater from various vendors listed on the site, but best of all you can make a donation to the ‘Make The World Better With A Sweater’ Campaign for the Save The Children charity, go here: https://www.nationaluglychristmassweaterday.org/donate.php#sthash.DtonjVRn.dpuf
During our presentation (seen in the video here) our models got to play out a full narrative, complete with music and special effects in what we called “The Harbingers of Fantasy.” Created exclusively for this year’s MFW, with clothes we were premiering during the weekend, our models Holy Scar, The Richard, Hailey Louise, Kerri Taylor, Brian Gashlin, Shamz, Tish Marie, and Nancy Tigress walked among lights, music and all manner of drama strutting and showcasing our couture. It was a spacey interactive play, with no dialogue but plenty of sure meaning and lots of grand latex costuming.
Seattle’s fashion week showcases what we have always known, but have come to see on a daily basis now living in the Pacific Northwest: there is an impressive cluster of local designers in this area of the U.S. creating unique pieces for a very discerning clientele. Yes, rain proof and warmth are big concerns with couture here, but seeing that Seattle is #8 in the Top 20 US Metros for Fashion Designers, one could guess that people here have come to expect a lot more than just warmth and staying dry in what they wear.
We’d like to profess some acute forethought that the Kylie Jenner Interview Magazine piece would make such a splash…that we’d know it would even court controversy as we reported in our last blog. But when Interview contacted us they did not mention who we would be dressing, nor did they let us in on the concept photographer Steven Klein was planning, a homage to Hatstand, Table and Chair. But as is our want, we did manage a bit of research over the particular garments we were sending and low and behold it became apparent that we were contributing to a pop art legacy. Little did we know until we saw the pictures this week that the living doll to be used here was none other than Kylie Jenner and that the pictures would turn out as wonderful as they did…with so much of our stuff used!
Well, we made “The View”…or at least a mention of our latex clothing did. Concerning the new Kylie Jenner
Interview Magazine” photos, Whoppi and the ladies hit on not only how sexy the pictures of Kylie were (Raven-Symoné cried out “Her ass was out!” in effect calling-out the Dawnamatrix “cheeky skirt” Kylie was wearing) but the controversy that is currently airing about the fact that Kylie appears in some of the pictures sitting in a wheelchair.
Photos of Kylie Jenner posing in bondage gear, lying in a box, being held in a rigid ‘chair like’ pose, certainly pay homage to Allen Jones infamous Hatstand, Table and Chair trio of erotic sculptures. As with lots that tickles our more prurient sensibilities (even if it be high art) Jones’ pieces were met with harsh criticism when exhibited in 1970-lots of feminists simply did not take well to women being portrayed as furniture-but have to come to be regarded as a high water mark of 60’s expression. Jones was even contacted by Stanley Kubrick at the time to contribute similar pieces to Kubrick’s soon-to-be-completed A Clockwork Orange (a high water mark for fetishists to be sure) but when no payment was offered Jones demurred, instead giving the famous director permission to expand on Hatstand, Table and Chair’s concept in his own Kubrick-ian furniture for the Korova Milk Bar scene in Clockwork.
In our world the belted knee-length classic Macintosh trenchoat (or “Mac” as they call it in the U.K…certainly the fashionista there sees lots of rain!) low heeled pointed toe boots and a body conforming dress over leggings keeps the cold and damp at bay. But one shouldn’t forget what we feel will be top trends come the New Year; florals, structure garments and bold colors. Luckily our wardrobe pieces do sport fantastically vibrant colors and deeply rendered textures, all of which we will show with the “bright and impermeable” theme we are planning for SFW runway.
The fine-art photography company WinterWolf formed in 2005 and has been known for creating fantastical images ever since. Kelly is especially adept at providing glimpses of unusual beauty in colorful fairytale worlds…as can be seen in the photos here. Most acclaimed for her creative female portraiture, Winter is also available to hire for a wide range of photography work including baby as well as senior photography, editorials, commercial work, weddings…and as you see here, modeling. She wears our Butterfly Mermaid Gown, with makeup by Ruby Randall in the shot where she models for us; Miss Mischief models our Marble Underwire Gown in the other.
Though it was decidedly a few months ago now, one can certainly see plenty of fetishistas flashing their finery (and latex clothing) in the Montreal sun in this just released video from Montreal Fetish Weekend.
Finally we got to work with the man in person, as Paul was recently visiting Seattle. Here we not only got to meet Paul Allan, which was a thrill in and of itself, but also we had the opportunity to work alongside him, styling our garments during his shooting.
With a wonderful local Seattle team, we all created magic. Our model Jessica Mion was a delight, working so very hard (but making it seem so effortless) to give us exactly what we wanted. Kat Trotter-Viterbo lent her amazing talents to hair and Elenna Loredana to MUA. And Paul captured it all through his lens.
Featured in the museum exhibit was Lady Gaga’s plush hello kitty dress, a fiberglass sculpture of a sexy space-suited Hello Kitty wearing couture designed by Colin Christian, all this and more celebrating the famous feline. Produced by the Japanese company Sanrio, created by Yuko Shimizu, Hello Kitty (in Japanese: ハロー・キティ,) was introduced on a purse in Japan in 1975, a year later came to the states and as of 2008 the cute white faced cat with the red bow claimed half of Sanrio’s one billion dollar profits, with 50,000 various Hello Kitty branded products available in over 60 different countries.
As of 1964, the year Carol Doda first appeared topless at San Francisco’s Condor Club, she had been performing her act dancing atop a piano lowered from the ceiling of the club, but never nude in any real sense. That particular night in ‘64 the club’s P.R. man Davy Rosenberg handed Doda a Rudi Gernreich ‘monokini’…and history was made. Seeing as the swimsuit in question renders the upper torso of the wearer basically bare-save a few straps-Doda became one of the first strippers to dance topless in the U.S.; when she enhanced her bust by silicon injection, gaining her new attributes the labels “twin 44s” and “the new Twin Peaks of San Francisco” she gained international fame.
Surely other celebrities sported some fine costumes…some bought, some made. Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson dressed as Christie Brinkley’s character and Clark Griswold respectively from the National Lampoon Vacation. Fashion designer/T.V. reality celeb Nicole Richie stepped out as the spooky The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Jack Skellington. And Taylor Swift fashioned herself as Olaf from Frozen. But all these celebs and even the most adept cosplayer would have to go far to beat Heidi Klum this year.
We will be sure to post those Hello Kitty pics, expound on the EMP show, write about Heidi Klum’s amazing Jessica Rabbit Halloween outfit and also get into all that’s happening now that we hurtled Halloween and get into what is sure to be a crazy-but fun-holiday season.
Other facts as they are becoming known are Lily Aldridge will be wearing the ultimate in costume design, the Fireworks Fantasy Bra, this year’s big ticket item priced at $2 million. That bra’s precious gems come in at a cool 1,364 carats and are set in 18 karat gold, the panties Lily will wear with it, sport 120 diamonds and 400 stones. Created by jeweler Mouawad you can see Aldridge cavorting in the set in this Vogue video.
One can wear a hood or a sumptuous latex kimono and still feel the need to change-up, get into another piece of fetish wardrobe, accessorize. Akin to not being able to eat just one potato chip or considering that second tattoo, the thing with starting, adding to or bolstering a fantasy wardrobe is that one tends to want to add to that wardrobe again and again. A celeb of Ruby Rose’s stature or a Miley Cyrus (the reigning queen of award show change-ups) has the facility to keep changing during any one show or performance.
“The Royals” Queen Helena, Elizabeth Hurley has struck a blow, even if she isn’t trying, against ageism simply by being who she is and showing off a little. Let prejudices fall where they may, you can as much rock a latex kimono at age 50 (or beyond) as you can something from Elizabeth Hurley’s couture.
The body size issue of models was well illustrated at the recent Tel Aviv Fashion Week, of all places. Certainly a country well behind London, Milan and New York in their runway popularity, the country might well be ahead of bad press like the recent Gigi Hadid shaming in London. Israel was as much the first country to pass an actual law against using models under a specific weight and their fashion show showcased women from sizes 0-12, as well as those of a wide age range.
Given any model shoot, whether the lady (or man) is in some sexy latex clothing or simply smiling across the cover of GQ, we are all well aware of the photo-shopping touch-up that occurs. In this day and age of being able to render almost any correction one wishes, there has been as steady a backlash against the editing of pictures as much as there has been the rampant occurrence of it. Models, reality star celebs and even Hollywood well-knows have been releasing before and after pics to prove the chasm of difference between the untouched and retouched and no one has been more vociferous n the cause as Kate Winslet.
Main characters new and old are featured on the poster, but Luke Skywalker’s absence on the artwork has been fodder for ripe net rumor (and Mark Hamill, along with Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher are indeed returning for The Force Awakens as their characters Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia respectively). And though Skywalker/Hamill’s omission in the new poster art has fueled plenty of fan worry and debate (and maybe it is all a clever ploy by the studio to create all the chatter) if one were to study the poster even in passing, one would realize that once again, fetish costume fans and movie fashionistas have lots to celebrate.
Latex gloves, corsets, heels and fishnets…no, it’s not a weekend fetish party we are premiering a new collection at, it’s The Rocky Horror Picture Show. King of midnight movie showings, from stage musical to iconic ‘failed’ Hollywood release, one of the most talked about and certainly one of the most talked ‘at’ movies of all time, TRHPS turned 40 this year and there were much ballyhooed ‘reunions’ of certain cast members-Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Patricia Quinn, and Meatloaf-for photo shoots and sit down interviews in this Halloween season.