From fetish to wear: The rise of latex
For the last 50 years, fetish themes have been entering the fashion world. Nowadays high heels, corsets and leather things are becoming relevant, but latex things are still confusing people. Now latex is increasingly appearing at fashion shows and red carpets.
This year, in the winter-autumn season, models male fetish wear began to use latex clothing more often. Latex has already appeared at the shows of Gucci, Vivien Westwood, Belmain, Thierry Mugler and Raf Simons. Latex clothing was seen in the brightest events of pop culture of the decade. Many Internet resources, newspapers and magazines believe that the stars and latex is a furious and interesting combination.
For a long time, latex was considered something vulgar and obscene. Now rubber clothing has been in the spotlight for about 200 years. Latex can be confused with PVC, but their main difference - natural rubber latex is completely made of natural fibers and is complex in work. South America was the leader in the source of latex until 1876. The seedlings, which Henry Wickham brought from Brazil, found themselves in favorable conditions in India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. These countries are considered leaders in the production of natural rubber to this day.
Sex and power
The properties of rubber were extremely useful, which were used in medicine, military industry. Latex clothing fits nicely to the body, which led to the idea of using latex in sexual games. Mostly latex was a female fetish wear. The Baroness claimed that latex as a material has several features in its appearance, smell and senses when worn. The use of latex began to be considered perverse after the rapturous letters of the Mackintosh community.
After years of oblivion, latex clothing returned to fashion in the 1950s. The latex jumpsuit created by John Stacliffe became fashionable. The jumpsuit was the prototype of a fetish dress, although his idea was to create tight protective clothing for bikers. Sutcliffe took advantage of the products and founded AtomAge magazine in 1972. This turned all understanding of the fashion world of that time and created a real sensation for fans of fetishism.
Punk pioneers
This shocking magazine attracted the attention of punk pioneers. Latex clothing was a symbol of sex, so parks, demanded the use of latex clothing in the fashion world. Latex clothing began to be distributed to partyers and musicians (Teresa Coburn).