This week we'll focus on some of the exciting fashion coming out of America, with four classically trained designers who choose to work in latex.

Vex Clothing has been on the scene for several years by now, and has made quite a name with their custom designs worn by everyone like KumiMonster, RubberDoll, Emily Marilyn, Masumi Max and our own 3XL. The lines are a creative mix of fetish and fashion, using uncommon to fetish color combinations and techniques. They've recently moved into larger quarters. Visitors to Chicago can now find Laura and company (by appointment only!) at 6053 W. Montrose Ave. Chicago, IL 60634.

If you haven't already signed up for Vex's newsletter, now's the time to do it so you won't miss the official launch of their new menswear line, which promises to be a very exciting for fetish guys.


Betty La Bamba is a talented designer working out of New York City. For several years now she's had an eBay store where you can purchase her well made latex separates and accessories. You can also buy Betty La Bamba latex at her spiffy new Etsy store.

Be sure and check out Betty's latex, fetish and fashion blog too, where you'll find scans of older fetish/BDSM magazines and lots of other shiny stuff of interest.

Lots of great things are coming Renee Masoomian's way since we last visited her. Renee was recently nominated for best newcomer at the 2008 European Fetish Awards, and she'll be presenting a selection of her designs at Torture Garden's Skin Two Night in September.

There are two ranges--Baby Love's Latex, a vintage-inspired pin-up line, and Soliloquy, her higher end range of custom made pieces. The custom made line really impressed me!

You may remember Maggie Delena Designs from an earlier post. Recently I checked out their eBay store, where there were several lovely womens pieces. It also looks like a menswear line is to be launched in the very near future!

So, there you have it: 4 great labels destined to dispel that tired old notion that nothing exciting comes out of America anymore.

Until next week!

Labels: fetish fashion, latex, latex fashions

I came across this excellent video when I was researching the Catwoman costume for an earlier update. It's a nice sneak peek for those of you lucky enough to get to the Met Costume Institute's Superheroes Fashion and Fantasy exhibit running until September 1, and a decent substitute for those of us not lucky enough to see it in person.

Enjoy!

Labels: fetish comics, latex in the mainstream

Dollspride is a new fetish-only community catering to the growing number of rubberdolls, trannies, cross dressers and t-girls. If you're into crossdressing or dream of being the ultimate doll, why not sign up and swap stories with like-minds?

The site looks good, and I recognized several profiles from other rubberist communities when I visited. I think it's a great idea to have a more specialized space for rubberdoll information and gender polarity discussions, since the audience is already sold on the idea, unlike in more mixed settings such as the IAR or RubberPal.

Here's what Chuck has to say about his new hangout:

This is a free online adults only, fetish only community put together for rubberdolls, crossdresser, tgirls, trannies, and such. DollsPride is on it's own dedicated server, is just 10 days old with 600 members, 3500 invites at last look. We expect to hit 2500 members in the next few month. Last noted users online high including guest was 1400. A major sponsor of Dollspride is femskin.com . FemSkin is recognized as the innovative leader in the application and advancement of silicone prosthetics for the transgendered worldwide. FemSkin hit it big with it's best selling product, the FemSkin. The FemSkin is a seamless anatomically Correct flesh like silicone skin bodysuit in a perfect female form.

We wish Chuck and his new community the best of luck.

Labels: fetish community, latex she-male

Isabeau and Sebastian of Montreal's Fetiche School, Fetiche Shop and Fetiche Soiree have planned the ultimate reunion for all people wanting to celebrate, shop or learn about different kinky sexual practices, all the while raising money for charity.

The Festival starts off on August 7 with a Launch Cocktail party from 7pm til 3am, and fetish parties, play parties, workshops, dances and expositions continue until Sunday evening August 10.

Performers include KumiMonster, Midori and Lew Rubens.

The Exposition, running Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Montreal's Just for Laughs Complex features vendors from around the world, such as Berlin's BlackStyle, Toronto's Ego Assassin and Chicago's Vex Clothing.

To learn more, check out the program of all the events and hotel information at their site: www.kinkyfestival.com

On your mark! Set? WHIP!

Labels: fetish industry news, fetish party, latex celebrity, latex event, latex fashions, sexual education

Brighton photographer and filmmaker Mark Bennet of Alchemical Shadows has posted an exciting video he filmed of HW Design's catwalk show at Torture Garden's 2008 birthday blowout.

The video which features a stunning array of printed transparent leopard print corsets, coats, capes, catsuits, hoods and more on an all-star fetish model cast may help console those of us who were not lucky enough to be at the actual event.

Take a look at more fetish fashion videos on Mark's YouTube channel here.

Labels: fetish fashion, fetish photography, kink couture, latex event, latex fashions, latex hood, latex movies, latex newsletter, you tube

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.

Today we'll introduce you to three relative newcomers: Trés Bonjour Luxury Couture Latex from Berlin, HMS Latex of Paris, and Lickorish Latex from the UK.

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!

Labels: fetish fashion, kink couture, latex fashions, latex fetish, latex shopping, t-shirt

Friday, Kitty and I spent three hours at a local tattoo shop. I wanted a tattoo for a long time and I finally got around to do it. I got my 3xL insignia tattooed on my upper left arm, to remind myself of who I am and how much this weblog has changed my life.

It was quite an experience to get tattooed! I think it hurts like hell, but when the excess ink is washed off the next day, nothing beats looking at your new tattoo!

Labels: 3xl, coming out, tattoo

This Fall you won't lack for exciting London fetish parties, with two huge fetish balls and shopping expos happening in September and October. First up is the Skin Two Rubber Ball weekend, the granddaddy of all the international fetish weekend events.

The Skin Two Rubber Ball is the world's premier fetish party. Established in 1992, the Rubber Ball drew people from around the world to a glamorous celebration of fetish style, with fashion shows, art performances and celebrity guests. The event is now internationally famous; it has been featured on television in Germany, Holland, France, Britain and the USA.

The Skin Two Expo is a major part of the weekend - a daytime shopping fair, with over specialist retailers gathered in one place. You can shop for clothes, shoes, accessories, jewellery, equipment, furniture, clubs, holidays, art, photography, books and lots more - or meet friends for coffee and a chat.

This year's theme has not been announced yet, but we have the line-up of the parties and Expo for you:

Torture Garden @ Mass St. Matthews Church, Brixton: Friday 5th September - 10pm til 6am

Skin Two & London Alternative Fashion Expo @ University of London Union, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HY: Saturday & Sunday 6th & 7th September - Noon til 7pm

THE SKIN TWO RUBBER BALL @ SeOne: Saturday 7th September from 10pm til 4am

Lounge Lizard @ Club Rub: Sunday 8th September

For more information and how to book tickets go to www.skintworubberball.com

Labels: fetish community, fetish industry news, fetish party, latex shopping

"My Love - Diary of a Loving S/M Relationship" is written by Anna Rose. The book has 120 pages filled with color photographs of Anna's intimate S/M moments with her Master. The pictures are accompanied by English text which describes her own feelings, desires, wishes and fears. "My Love" touches on topics such as latex, bondage, sex and the relationship of a D/s.

For more information about Anna Rose and to check out her latest photo and video updates, visit www.alterpic.com.

Signed Book Giveaway!
We're giving away a signed copy of Anna Rose's book to one lucky winner.

To be eligible to win, you need to:

1. be at least 18 years old!
2. tell us your mailing address

Entries must be submitted before the 1st of August. The lucky winner will be drawn by Latex Kitty one week later.

Please enter your full name and email below:

Full name:

Email:

Labels: bdsm, books, fetish books, fetish model, fetish paysites, fetish reading, fetish websites

Our favorite Fetishista, Chicago's Ms von Livid has launched an innovative new latex collection called House of Bias. The site is now fully functional with sexy fashion galleries photographed by Jeffrey Cohn and an on-line boutique.

House of Bias launched at the 2007 Kink in the Caribbean and made a big splash at the recent Torture Garden Birthday Party weekend, when Ms von Livid wowed a jaded London audience with her unique creations.

Ms von Livid trained as a designer at the Chicago's School of the Art Institute fashion design program before launching her career as a worldwide fetish and burlesque performer. Her sophisticated new line blends high fashion and kink with wickedly inventive dresses, lingerie and separates and color combinations rarely seen in fetish latex.

Visit her online shop this month and get 20% off on all orders until July 25 when you enter LAUNCH08 when checking out. Be sure and register for updates on new items and exclusive discounts.

Labels: fashion, fetish industry news, fetish model, latex news

Bianca Beauchamp All Access 2 : Rubberized starring Bianca Beauchamp, The Richard, Jean Bardot and Rubberdoll, will be Premiered at the Montreal Fetish Weekend 2008, Friday August 29th. at the prestigious Theatre Olympia.

ALL ACCESS 2 builds up on the original’s idea of a fetish-reality-documentary melting pot following Bianca Beauchamp and her kinky friends day and night during a 3-day fetish event, on stage, behind the scenes, at home even!, and this time with a lot more latex extravagance and Glamour.

Watch the Bianca Beauchamp All Access 2 : Rubberized trailer!

Read the official announcement here...

Labels: fetish industry news, fetish model, fetish party, latex celebrity, latex in public, latex movies

The story of Rubber Doll, who headlines the world's largest fetish parties, began eight years ago. This only-in-Florida entertainer (who asked that we not publish her real name because not everyone in her family knows about her line of work) was a quiet secretary in Miami. She was 19 years old and fresh out of high school and could barely tolerate her job. She wondered what she wanted to do with her life. But she never doubted what she loved doing at night: donning tight goth gear and touring the clubs in Miami Beach and southern Broward.

Soon, it wasn't just any kind of goth clothing but a very specific style. "I basically just fell in love with latex," she says, looking back on the early days. "The way it looks. The way it feels. There's nothing like it." Her rubber wardrobe began growing.

Read the full interview at Broward-Palm Beach New Times...

Labels: fetish model, fetish photography, latex celebrity, latex fetish

The name "ego assassin" refers to the philosophy that one can remake themself into any person they want to be; if only they can set aside all preconceived notions about who they are. Latex, being the perfect medium for transformation, allows you to become any character or creature you’d like to be.

ego assassin, based in Toronto, Canada is owned and operated by James Hagarty, a graphic designer and screen printer, and Slinka, a former fetish model. The company was started by James in 2003 as a custom designed t-shirt and screen printing business and moved into screen printing latex a year later.

ego assassin's signature style focuses on colorful, wearable pieces that serve as a platform for their distinctive printed graphics. Design influences and inspiration come from spy movies, concept art, comic books, and custom motorcycles. Many of the prints are inspired by vintage woodcuts, classical Japanese paintings, and Native American art.

The use of printing allows for a greater range of images, and much finer detail than is possible to achieve with appliques. Their latest print, "Great Wave", is based on the painting of the same name by the classical Japanese artist, Hokusai. It is a highly detailed and complex 2-color print, the likes of which has not been seen on latex before.

ego assassin also offers a growing range of classes teaching the basics of latex construction. The goal of these classes is to further develop and support the growing latex community in Canada and abroad. Their latest workshop, RUB 201, which covers the principles of latex corsetry has sold out well in advance. For information on future workshops, check out ego assassin's Facebook page.

Labels: fetish community, latex fashions, latex fetish, latex printing

The Rubberist International Rubber Camp 2008 (R.I.S.C.) is approaching fast!

Kitty and I visited the camp in 2007. We stayed at the camp for three days and had a good time. The atmosphere was good, it was like living in rubber family, where everybody is nice and helpful.

The location of the camp is an old farm building here in Denmark, far from public eyes. Its privately run by a sweet older rubber couple and not a fancy luxury hotel. The building offer multiple playrooms and well equipped dungeons, a huge rubber movie library - showroom, a dormitory and several private rooms for couples, outside there is a heated pool and a nice garden with a private forest.

This year's Rubberist International Summer Camp runs from 17th - 25th of July, so if you wish to go, you need to sign up now!

Labels: coming out, fetish party, latex event