FETISHISM VS. FEMINISM

 

Inspirations, fabric treatments & drawings from my senior collection '08

The concept was to take shapes, fabrics & ideals of all things relating to what are distinctly "feminine"garments and why - vice versa for all things relating to what makes something fetish wear. The idea was to juxtapose the two in the visual sense as I learned when researching either side of the project, the fetish for all things "feminine" was as equal in meaning to any particular person as the fetish for all things relating to "fetish" garments. In one sense, I learned quickly that people most likely have a fetish for things they do not have themselves but lust after. Small examples would be: Men have a fetish for women in high heels because men do not wear heels, instead they have a fetish for something distinctly feminine...which is something they could (or would) never obtain themselves. In the female sense, some wear corsets because they cannot obtain an hourglass shape on their own. I could go on with examples, there are millions and more on the broader spectrum than I have even described here. I didn't want to take this collection that far, as it was a "clothing" collection, not lingerie this time around and for me the focus was on the meaning behind the clothing and creating something out of a material that would otherwise be considered taboo. 

So for me, my feminism fabric examples were generally lingerie fabrics, as this is typically a female-only department, I chose textiles such as power mesh (girdles), lace, chiffon, tulle & georgette. On the fetish side, I used latex, oil cloth & patent leather. The idea was to use the fabrics in an a-typical manner such as a corseted skirt made from power mesh, where a garment should be stiff & restricting was replaced with something pliable & soft. This continues on with the latex dresses, usually very form fitting I chose to take shapes from 30's style bias cut gowns, and recreate them in latex, some latex layered with pleated tulle. I could go on & on because this collection was close to my heart, but I will stop before a tangent. Here is how a few looks turned out:

 

xx.L

RITA

I DREAM

I dream of wearing this bathing suit this summer. I don't have a bathing suit in black satin (yet). xx.L

OH GOLLY

You all know that moment when you actually find what you've been searching high and low for?! Well, I just found it. My mission every year (frivolous as it may be) is finding my Saturday night viva dress...and I thought I found it a while ago....but boy oh boy was I WRONG! ha! Excitement is taking over. Out of control. Anticipation, yes. Photos, no. Photos after I wear it, yes! Can't wait to smash the green dress to a million bits....*insert evil smirk here*.

CAN'T EVER GET ENOUGH...

...and the reason being mostly because of her lack of undergarments. I know that dressing to the extent that I adore isn't for everybody (which I totally respect) & this woman was one that could pull this off (obviously) and still wreak havoc....in my favorite book, my favorite story of her caught my eye today: "Eschewing a girdle was considered rather risque in the 50's and could make a woman the talk of the town, although careers could be helped by it. Marilyn Monroe, for instance, was infamous for her lack of undergarments, confiding to columnist Earl Wilson in 1952 that she wore "nothing, but nothing at all - no panties, slips, girdles or bras", as she liked to feel "unhampered". Monroe also went on to cause a scandal in 1953 at the annual dinner of Photoplay Magazine, held at the Beverly Hills Hotel, having been selected as the best new star of that year. She made a stunning entrance wearing a one-piece gold lame gown designed by Travilla, floor-legnth and with a plunging decolletage, which was deliberately made one size too small and so tight she could wear no underwear underneath. Even the designer begged her not to wear the gown, because he felt she was too fat for it, but after two sessions of colonic irrigation, Monroe made her entrance in the dress that columnist Florabel Muir described as looking "as if it had been painted on". She made every other female star there appear dull by contrast. Maurice Zolotov remembers: "Marilyn hove into view - two hours late. Because (...) her dress was tight around her knees, she walked with mincing steps which emphasized the rotation of her hips. Her curves shimmered in the golden dress. Slowly she walked down the room to the head table. Dining was suspended. Breaths were drawn in, gasps of horror, and admiration, filled the room. For a long moment conversation halted. Then she sat down. The conversation resumed in a lower key, and the topic was Marilyn Monroe."....." - seduction, Caroline Cox

You see, here's the thing. At the end of the day it doesn't really matter what you are wearing, or what you like to wear. Its really about being comfortable in your own skin. With your own shape. However it may look. Because it's gorgeous. Please appreciate it! I'm not going to get all corny here and tell you that you should "love your body" and etc...(even though you should) but I am going to ask you to imagine that moment as Marilyn, walking into that room. Everyone should have a moment like this at least once in their life.....at least once. Call me if you want the dress for it. xx.L

MOST FAVORITE

Most favorite color combination in the world, I think. Its the most perfect marigold meets tangerine, add some creamy lace (and perhaps some black pom pom mules) and you get the perfect summer babydoll to lounge around in. Matching bottoms on the way, I am working these pieces a little bit differently this time, will post when they are done! This little slip, slice of marigold heaven makes me giggle with delight. Will definitely be making more than one of these, and perhaps one for myself  too!                                                                                     

SLOWLY...LIKE SNAILS

Will I ever finish this collection! I've been caught up with daily life, more because I've picked up several hours at my day job to save up for some extra coins for my vacation I've just booked! In september I am so excited, traveling the world to visit some of my best friends- I'll be going to Australia & then London! I'm over the moon with excitement about my trip and am trying to set a small goal in my head to have the this whole collection done & photographed (along with the past collection re-photographed) before my trip! We will see! If the universe allows me time, more products coming your way... 

LOUSY LINGERIE

         

 

These are croquis I did for my first lingerie project ever. It was this collection that I know I fell in love. I still think this project is the one I will always be most proud of. I felt like at the time, this was the project of a lifetime for me. I could re-create it over and over again in my head and seem to never grow tired of it.

VINTAGE SWIMWEAR

My favorite part of any time of year is when we get to make it out to some pool or some beach because aside from lingerie, vintage swimwear is another one of my true loves. There is really nothing that beats it in today's world, everything from the fit, silhouette, fabric & the way they were cut for real women...sigh. Someday I will expand my business into making swimwear. Til then -

 
* the only part that stinks about going to viva las vegas is that my pink lame swimsuit has to wait another 5 years before it can make an appearance again!

VEGAS BABY

Ack! Where have I been?! What have I been up to? Getting ready for viva las vegas for the past month or so. Because I spend all year deciding what I want to wear and of course I also have to make said garments, pretty much leaves me in a sewing cave for about 6 weeks. But its all worth it in the end!

For me, vegas is the one time a year that my best friends from all over the world - London, Australia & even Holland fly over for this weekend, we all stay rooms apart from each other down the same corridor in the hotel, and pretty much never leave each other's side for about 22 hours of each day. The trip is like dreamland - constant shopping, dancing, bands, cars, restaurants, drinks, laughing, and best of all - ensemble changes! This year for me it was 4 days =  16 outfits with 9 shoes. All fit into one carry-on bag I must say!

               

If you like what you see here, just wait until next year. I've got a new theme running in my head!