Fetish: A Magical Power

THE FETISH FASHION 2011/12

When it comes to clothes, the mantra is black, black and more black, with lashings of leather and intricate corsetry lacing as well as a generous helping of PVC and even the odd bondage strap. Elements of fetish made themselves known in all the fashion cities, but is was the Paris designers who put S&M front and centre. From Louis Vuitton to Alexander McQueen to Emanuel Ungaro and Thierry Mugler it was a case of no nice girls allowed.

The most surprising thing is that so many designers have taken it so seriously. Its dirty, its leathery, and it plays peek-a-boo with thighs and torsos, and there was a lot of it about at the shows.

Marc Jacobs topped and tailed the fetish Autumn/Winter 2011 show season with fetishistic displays using Latex and strictly tailored ponyskin at his Marc Jacobs collection, and The Night Porter style peaked military caps, handcuff bangles and severe sheer at Vuitton. Alexander McQueen is the king of fashion when it comes to the bondage looks, hints of leather, patent leather, latex, straps and other fetish motifs and the top designers have all featured this Autumn/Winter trend in their ranges fetish.

It seems the fashion world is now turning on its heel with a whole host of fetish-inspired creations making an appearance on the catwalks. the-beaten-track and personal nature of it which of course what is all about and this is one of the easiest ways this winter to mark your individuality and stand out for your unique and personal fashion interpretation. From the very upper crust of fashion: Louis Vuitton, Herve Leger, etc; to the trendy cool kids from London; to the emerging fashion talent from the hottest catwalks of Latin America; fashion seems to have caught the fetish bug and it is really going for it.

The taboo, in many ways, is not so taboo anymore. Fashion has pushed the envelope and perusing the 2011 runways, it’s not hard to spot the bondage and fetish inspirations behind many of the clothes; making this yet another of the fashion trends.. Although its clothing we may not wear fully every day, you can pick parts out of the trend to mix with your everyday wear, black faux leather trousers and sky high heels worn with skinny jeans, blouses and a LBD will give you a more subtle look.

Accessories can also give of a fetish hint to what would be a rather plain outfit, look for wide belts, officer’s caps and real sexiness lies in the art of suggestion – no need to bring the whip out of the bedroom.