There's been an influx of very talented designers entering the latex market these days. We really appreciate the new life they're bringing to our old fetish gear, and we'll highlight some of the newest and most promising ones as we learn of them.
Trés Bonjour Couture Latex is the young designer Viola Jaeger of Berlin's ultra feminine new line. Her black and white creations are reminiscent of Absolute Danny's sophisticated separates and Atsuko Kudo's feminine classics. The site is one of the prettiest latex clothing sites I've encountered, with its lovely lace details and pink ribbon touches. It's also highly functional, which is not always the case with latex clothes sites!
Standouts for me included her feminine bodies and pencil skirt variations. I also appreciate the use of elegant non-fetish shoes to showcase her timeless styles, and the obvious care that's gone into creating durable and well made fashion.
It seems like the handcraft site, Etsy.com has become a preferred venue for start-up latex designers now that eBay has upped their selling costs and implemented rather puritanical listing policies. I like Etsy, it just looks more polished and it feels much more like the nice shopping experience we all like to have online.
There are 2 designers on Etsy to check out, especially for their clever accessories and fair prices, for those times when you don't have an unlimited budget or room on the Visa card. The first, Lickorish Latex, is a line designed by a nice English couple up north in Huddersfield, which focuses primarily on exquisite accessories.
Often old latex separates just need a couple of standout accessories to give new life to old favorites. Why not add some bow hair clips and a pair of corset suspenders/braces? At these prices, you'll have money left over for a couple of long stemmed roses for your sweetheart! What has also impressed me about Lickorish Latex is their classy packaging and very attentive customer service. (Note to retail boutiques: they do wholesale!)
HMS Latex, also on Etsy was founded in 2006 by Sophie, a young model and makeup artist living in Paris. In just two short years, she's really come into her own as a talented latex designer.
I especially like her latex Delicacy Mittens, which have an enormous amount of detail for such a miniscule price ($35!). Her menswear featured in her Etsy store also looks very well made, and keep an eye out for new additions to her line, such as high fashion boleros and stunning dresses which I've sneak previewed at her Live Journal.
Look out for more of our fashion updates in the weeks to come!
Monday, July 14, 2008
