Shot by Plastic Canon, hair by Sam's Hair Band, makeup by Naomi Mundy, latex by Raezor
Aside from lingerie and vintage clothing, one of my favourite types of outfits to shoot are those made of latex -- but it's even better when they're lingerie! Like the gorgeous latex corset bodysuit above by Raezor!
Latex is fairly commonplace in fashion nowadays and it's frequently seen on the runway, on red carpets, and in magazines with high fashion brands like Atsuko Kudo dressing celebrities and thus bringing the material forth in the mainstream. However, it is still very much fetish-wear and has been for at least 200 years.
Modelling fetish styles makes sense for me as a pinup model because pinup comes from fetish and the two are fairly synonymous in some ways. Many traditionally "pinup" styles were originated in fetish imagery, like bullet bras, stockings, corsets, etc. While models like Bettie Page are pinup models, they're also very much fetish models and most pinup work was fetish oriented.
Shot by Objektiv Photography, hair by Sam's Hair Band, makeup by Charlotte Gaj, latex by Madelene Legault
Latex is one of my favourite materials to shoot in because it photographs so well and you tend to feel like a bit of a superhero sex kitten when you wear it. However, it's very high maintenance; it takes a lot of work to get it on, a lot of work to get it off, and a lot of work to maintain it. Tight latex pieces generally need some assistance to get on and using a lube or baby powder can help. I recommend buying a latex-friendly lube because baby powder can get messy! You'll also need some sort of shine to get your latex nice and shiny; normally latex is matte and it needs something to give it a boost. These items can be bought from several latex shops or you can get them in a lot of sex stores.
Latex is high maintenance and should be cleaned as soon as possible! You get very sweaty when you wear it and your sweat will break down the latex so it's important to clean it. A light detergent is usually good, not something too harsh that will ruin your garments. Let it dry and store it away from the sun! Sunlight and UV rays will also damage latex.
Shot by Andrea Hunter in House of Etiquette
I shied away from latex for several years because I thought it was only for "skinny girls". I wanted to wear it so badly but I had only seen photos of very slender models wearing it, and I assumed that it would show every lump and bump, so I thought I couldn't shoot it. It also never crossed my mind that larger sizes could be made! I'm not sure why I thought this, latex clothing is sized like normal clothes. This was when I started modelling when I was about a size 8/10 and since I have found photos of curvy and plus-size women wearing and looking amazing in latex. However, I was asked to walk in a show for Raezor in early 2016 and I thought it sounded like fun so I gave it a try. I loved how the latex looked on me, and it actually acts more like shapewear and will suck you in and smooth you out.
Shot by Altovenue, hair by Sam's Hair Band, latex by Rapture and Repent
About 200 years ago, Scottish chemist, Charles Mackintosh, created a rubber-like fabric that was to be used for coats. They were very impractical and would often get stinky and could melt if they were out in the heat too long. They quickly became fetish objects, people liked the swooshing sound they made. One letter from the 1920s describes how the writer's partner got pleasure from the sound of the coat and how it pleasured her too.
With the outbreak of WWII, rubber became widely used in military gear and military looks became highly associated with fetish during this time. Latex saw a huge boom in the 1960s with the development of different types of plastics and new methods of creating rubber. In the 60s and 70s, latex catsuits and other clothing items were beginning to be made in the fetish scene and on the outside of the mainstream. The material picked up steam later in the 70s with Vivienne Westwood's use of it, allowing it to be seen by people who don't have a latex fetish or who aren't in the fetish community. It's also worth noting that popular culture figures like Catwoman helped perpetuate the popularity of latex and catsuits in the scene.
Fetish saw a big boom in the 1980s and 90s, but it's not quite clear how that happened. It could have to do with the punk movement, or high fashion which in the 80s drew a lot of inspiration from fetish clothing and dominatrixes. However, latex and fetish looks were a regular occurrence in the fashion and pop culture world at this time.
Shot by Objektiv Photography, hair and makeup by Emma Hughes, latex by Raezor
Nowadays, it doesn't even seem like latex is part of the counter-culture anymore. Celebrities like Katy Perry and Kim Kardashian wear it on the regular, Lady Gaga even wore latex to meet the queen! More than anything, it seems to be more high fashion. In the 2000s and 2010s, latex designers have become a lot more innovative with the material than ever before and creating incredible things. Latex designers are using all sorts of interesting patterns, prints, designs, etc. It's quite remarkable how different latex is today than it was 20 years ago, it's like it went through a renaissance!
For anyone wary of it or on the fence about it, I'd say give it a try, it looks amazing on anyone and makes you feel great about yourself! I always love how I look when I wear it and I'm itching to shoot in latex again!
What do you think of latex? Have you worn it? Let me know in the comments!