Monday 11 July 2011

monday musings 004
fetish fashion.

Yeah, you read that right, not fashion fetishes - literal fetish fashion, the whole chains and whips excite me deal. Its the new thing for this upcoming A/W season appaz. The ready-to-wear runways of New York (looking right at you Marc Jacobs) kick started the risqué affair. Cue controversy.

We’re all guilty of keeping fashion fetishes. I, for one, cannot stick my nose up at a collar or anything lace-like; both and its like twenty years worth of birthdays and Christmases came in the five seconds of that purchase. Exaggeration. But I do have a poignant soft spot for said pieces. However, this is a different kettle of fish; think downtown Soho meets city man’s mistress. No one wants to be that other woman but now it seems its not only acceptable for us to imitate her but we’re bluntly being ordered to dress like her. If we must then Marc.

Case rested, here's the evidence in black and white. Marc Jacobs, Mugler, Louis Vuitton (complete with Kate Moss cameo, ooh er) and Giles were the guiltiest culprits.

Images: ELLE.com

Here is something I bet you didn’t know - it took four dressers nearly an hour and a half to strap each model into those fetish boots. Apparently, Kate loved them so much “she would‘ve slept them in if she could have”, Louis Vuitton’s Katie Grand.

What exactly is a fetish?


The strict OED definition defines ‘fetish’ as “ a form of sexual desire in which gratification is linked to an abnormal degree to a particular object, item of clothing, part of the body, etc.”

The runways adaptation reveals lashings of slick, oil-black patent leathers, racy, strapping harnesses, lacey corsetry and daringly skimpy hem lines amidst fastenings a plenty:  buckles, zips, lace-ups and too much flesh were the chosen accessory.

According to the most reliable insiders, creative directors across the globe were united in their source of vampy inspo; seventies, fashion film favourite, The Night Porter and those notoriously nude, Helmut Newton images.

Why bring fetish into fashion?

Again, fashion house hosts are unanimous in their opinion that it represents the emancipation of women. Not a hint of sexism or sexploitation is intended. This doesn’t stop people talking.

How on earth does one emulate this trend without being mistook for the other women? Fashion moguls aren’t suggesting we take our bedroom gear to the street but to embrace the subtler side of fetish fashion. Less is more (more of what we‘ve already seen this year): suggestive sheer inserts, leather panels and trims, peek-a-boo necklines and black lace by the bucket load.

Fetish dressing no longer needs to be a sordid secret; best kept in the confines of the world’s seediest digs. That said, save the bondage for later. OI.

21st Century power dressing or bare-faced misogyny? You decide.

x

27 comments:

  1. amazing post! the pictures are beautiful, following :)
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  2. For some reason, I was getting a little nervous just looking at these photos. haha Nevertheless, I am loving the floral and lace embellishments in a couple of these shots. The buckles and the leather..? I don't know, but they kinda make me feel uneasy. And now I have Rihanna's "S&M" song in my head...

    forte-espressivo.blogspot.com

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  3. IT might be a little fetish but I like some pieces!

    http://www.ohmydior.org/

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  4. Very stylish!!
    Pictures are very cool.

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  5. i love these photographs, they're beautiful! great post.

    ELIZA
    http://dearelizaaa.blogspot.com

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  6. A bit too agressive for me, give me a floral print anyday!
    x

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  7. Even ignoring the politics, it is a fine line between dark/sexy/interesting and tacky as, isn't it? God, a lot of it looks like Anne Summers!

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  8. Anonymous7/12/2011

    Great Outfits and make up! Just one little thing: Fetish isn't linked to parts of the body but only to objects etc. Sexual interst in parts of the body is called 'partialism'. That's a common mistake ;)

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  9. Anonymous7/12/2011

    There is so much individuality and detail about each piece!

    http://chicgeekblogger.blogspot.com/

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  10. Anonymous7/12/2011

    Great post!
    I understand the designers don't expect us to walk around wearing these outfits and they are only what directs trends but I can't help but think so many outfits are abit ridiculous! Although I do think a few are nice too so maybe I should shut it :-) xxx

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  11. I enjoy the second photo- quite fierce! Great post...it's an interesting topic that you don't see often. I think this might just be an edgier version of existing trends. Like I remember when lace was first trending, I thought it looked like lingerie.

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  12. Great post! They look a bit gaga-esque, fine for a fashion trend but not something I would wear myself. I do like the fourth one though, it looks more modest than the rest.

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  13. Love it, love it, love it! I'm defo a fetishist for texture contrasts. Leather and lace, rubber and silk, jersey and perspex... OOOOHHHFT!

    xx

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  14. Very inspirational! I'm sure those boots were very complicated to tie :S

    http://fashionindahat.blog​spot.com/

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  15. I kind of like this trend b/c it can be sexy, but I still feel as if it remains for night life.

    <3 Kelly

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  16. Interesting posts and the outfits don't look out of place on the run way but I'm not sure they'll make it off that into the highstreet!

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  17. I like the different textures but I am not a fan of extreme clothing that takes hours to get into/out of ;)

    Maria xxx

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  18. AHH! Those runway looks were so cool! Loved them all :D Great blog, by the way!

    Hope you check out my!
    xoxo, Eva @ TheLaceFiles.blogspot.com

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  19. Great black collection pieces...love your choices

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  20. brilliant post - there's a spread on this in elle collections which i absentmindedly left open in my lap on the tube...hastily covered it up! xx

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  21. I absolutely love this trend, I'm not one for lace and floral prints in general so I always enjoy it when the catwalk takes an edgier turn like this. I'm sure no one will mistake anyone for 'the other woman' because a bit of leather and some straps in her outfit.

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  22. Anonymous7/15/2011

    Love the LV porter look with the chauffeur cap! Sorry I know it's really bad that it's taken me this long to return a comment! Your blossom background is beautiful though!

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  23. great post. it's great to see highlights of the trend all together. love kate in the louis vuitton show!

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  24. These photos are awesome, I love the tough edgy looks, thanks!

    xo Maddy
    http://madelinerouton.blogspot.com/

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  25. Lace is soo beautiful ^-^ These laced dresses look so chic and love it that it black instead of black like most of the time! Great post <3

    Ps: Join our giveaway

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  26. Love this post, come check out my blog!
    http://www.thefashionbrigade.com

    xx

    ReplyDelete

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