It’s been too long since my previous update, but there’s been a lot of cool finds to highlight recently!

It seems like it’s almost every day that Zennor, the latex designer spotter wiz at |R|ubberist.net comes up with a new label I have yet to even hear about, but one of his finds is rather extraordinary. Meet Shoshanna Ani!

Shoshanna’s a young woman who lives in Provence. When I first visited her site, some of the designs looked very familiar as they’d appeared on the all too short-lived latex company Boutique of Pleasure’s site. It turns out, in fact that Shoshanna did their patterns and was introduced to our favorite material during this project.

What I like so much about Shoshanna’s new stuff is its originality. There’s stuff here that we haven’t seen from every up and coming designer! And better yet, the prices are extremely cheap, which I actually observed to Shoshanna in a couple of emails.

Shoshanna is very open and forthcoming, and was happy to answer some of my questions, which I’ve shared below.

So, a couple quick questions about your line, which I like very much, especially the boot covers, which I will definitely want to highlight in the post!  This was an excellent interview, here,  by the way.

The boot covers are something very exciting to me as i havent seen anything else like them on the market. And of course its a great way to update your favourite boots! Oh, and coming soon to my website will be knee high and thigh high booth covers!

I notice that you were introduced to latex while still a student of design. What was your first impression of it?

My first impression of latex was how interesting a fabric it is to work with. It is unlike any ‘normal’ or ‘traditional’ materials, so creates a challenge: i had never worked with anything like it before. Even the best quality ‘normal’ stretch fabrics still have very visible seams and stitching, whilst latex has none of this. It’s a very exciting material to use.

I notice some of the line is from the late Boutique of Pleasure. Was this also where you were introduced to latex?

I was first introduced to latex in my first year of studying my BA hons Fashion, when i got the job as the designer for Boutique of Pleasure. I worked with the company for about 6 months, and designed over 85% of the clothing being sold on their site – the designer who replaced me when i left created the other items.

Do you wear it yourself as normal streetwear?

I am in the process of creating a few pieces for myself. One will be the latex jacket with the faux fur collar – for me it captures 1940’s elegance but has a modern twist, which is a look i absolutely adore!

How do your more “conventional” customers react to the latex items? Have you converted any to the dark side? ;-)

People are intrigued by my latex clothing, but most seem a little intimidated by it. However, when people try them on and see how fantastic they look, they are soon converted and absolutely love it. I think the connotations of latex clothing can often put off “conventional” customers, but i think my designs appeal to a varied audience.

Any plans for future fashion shows or a booth at any of the fetish scene venues?

At the moment i’m not sure. I would like to host a fashion show next year (2010) of a big collection (50-60 pieces), and would also like to exhibit my work at trade shows. At the moment everything is designed and made by myself, so making things takes a fair bit of time and doesn’t really allow ‘shop’ in the tradional sense. I don’t keep stock ready made as items are made when the orders are placed.

Will you continue showing the latex alongside your other non-latex creations, or do you think the lines will branch into separate entities?

For the moment i’m going to continue having the two together, but have plans to make them two separate brands.

and finally, are you available for custom work?

I am available for custom work, however at the moment do not produce much mens wear. The best thing to do is to email me with enquiries about custom orders, then i can sort out designs and a quote and it can go from there.

Thank you, Shoshanna!

…

We received a brochure from Skin Two Clothing highlighting their new range, Spirit, which should be out any day now. There’s a preview collection online now, and it features well made classics at bargain prices.

I’ve always been a fan of the range, because the patterns are very well fitting and flattering for my figure. The pieces I own are dependable beautiful basics that I wear over and over again. Now, I have to be honest in saying that I haven’t tried anything from the line since Honour took over its production, and would be curious to hear how the newer pieces stack up to the older classic ones.

Don’t forget to visit often. Next update I’ll highlight a couple of new lines–an outstanding newcomer from America, and quite possibly the best latex kilt ever crafted, by a scene veteran and his very talented wife.

Stay shiny!