Balenciaga Questions IX

1. Balenciaga Spring/Summer 2003
2. Peter Pilotto Fall/Winter 2012

It may not always be about the identical, but an inherent notion of similarity. Nicolas Ghesquière is a mathematician, logically constructing garments by placing different textiles and alternating prints. Peter Pilotto does agree.
/HORST

View all parts of Balenciaga Questions

Couples II

1. Anthony Vaccarello Spring/Summer 2012
2. Yiqing Yin Spring/Summer 2012

The 'cut and paste' dress. Two versions. One defined by sharp and severe lines, the other recurring in a haphazard gesture. Details that define a woman, pending between perfectionist glamour girl and goth amazon.
/HORST

Image credits Catwalking

Dalí's Dolls

1. Surrealist Exhibition, Paris 1938
2. Comme des Garçons Spring/Summer 2009
2. Vogue Cover, April 1944
3. Portrait by George Platt Lynes

Handsome young Dalí and his mannequin. Foam wigs and breast cutouts. The former Rei Kawakubo? Vogue cover and lobster bikini. How would his hypothetical Spring/Summer 2013 collection look like?
/HORST

Perplexions II

A false encyclopaedic guide to fashion history, presenting:
Jean Paul Gaultier Fall/Winter 1996

1. Janet Jackson Velvet Rope, 1997
2. Pandemonia London Fashion Week, 21th Febuary 2011
3. Stephan Marienfeld Bondage, 2010

Pop, postmodernism and nipple piercings. We could have had it all. Janet in a black latex bodysuit. The mastress, the mistress. Dedicated and devoted to Jean Paul Gaultier.
/HORST

When Did We Forget About Black Minimalism

1. Helmut Lang Spring/Summer 2004
2. Ecole Floating Staircase

When I look up, facing my vis-à-vis, and the person is dressed in black my eyes can rest. I can fully focus and concentrate on the spoken word. Black minimalism gives us comfort, easiness and freedom. We should do it more often.
/HORST

Post Paris XII

A false encyclopaedic guide to the prêt-à-porter collections for Spring/Summer 2012.
Last chapter: Hussein Chalayan

1. Hussein Chalayan Spring/Summer 2012
2. Ann Demeulemeester Store Seoul
3. Cabinet 1700-1720

It almost felt like a 'best of' collection. The greatest hits of a designer who removed himself from the label he built. The garments reflected this last consequence and gave insight to the laws of fashion. The end.
/HORST

Ex-Post Integration

Hooded shirt Raf Simons
Leopard top Givenchy
Trousers Laitinen
Shoes Doc Martens

We will do it again. Sleeve under rolled-up sleeve. Hoodie under shirt. My system did not allow it. The option was completely banned. Until now. And it feels better than before.
/HORST

Wannabe

Prada Fall/Winter 1992

There was a time when even Miuccia proclaimed bimbo style. And as I've bemoaned the disappearance of Barbie Fashion, this is the last call for a better world. Self-absorbed, materialistic and pretty pretty.
/HORST

Whole Again

Anna Michaelis UDK Graduate Show 2011

Complementing thoughts on incomplete garments. Martin Margiela and Helmut Lang tought their lesson well. Cut out or cut away. Either way, I am into it. Especially when combined with sandals and socks.
/HORST

Image credits Corina Lecca

Perforations

1. Unknown
2. Jürgen Teller for Vivienne Westwood

Men have recently become skin-revealing sex objects. Chest, shoulders, biceps. Tight layers. Strategically placed cutouts. Sheer fabrics, short hems. No complaints made. Or are there any reservations?
/HORST

Slit II

1. Karim Sadli
2. Dior Homme Spring/Summer 2011 Backstage

It has only been lately that I've realized the beauty of a male torso's side. A view that is rarely being shared or descried. Therefore, I kindly solicit its more frequent appearance.
/HORST

Hunk Arena IV

Top Ann-Sofie Back Fall/Winter 2010
Bottom François Sagat for Bernhard Willhelm

I'll never stop. Untill you're mine. Indeed, the wrestling suit can be interpreted in manifold ways. Besides disco, bondage or parachute, there is also a casual version. 100% sheer organic cotton.
/HORST

Hunk Arena II

Top Yuanyi Jeff Lee
Bottom Louise Goldin Fall/Winter 2008

It appears the wrestling suit deserves a sequel. And obviously has the potential to become a continuous series. So feel invited to submit your high fashion bodysuit discoveries. Shiny, sheer or anything else you like.
/HORST

Hunk Arena

Top Givenchy Spring/Summer 2009
Bottom Unknown

Givenchy, hit me baby one more time. Recalling the wrestling suit. A true slap in the face. The furious but tender kind that feels best. Leaving behind red cheeks and dirty thoughts.
/HORST

Rippchen & Kraut II

Marios Schwab Fall/Winter 2011

A man in lederhosen is ideally accompanied by a woman in Marios Schwab. His Austrain heart establishing the post-modernist dirndl. The geared-up maid satisfying our SM fantasies.
/HORST

See also Part I.

Confrontation Therapy

Underwear Nikos

As indicated before I have to overcome my aversion to velvet. When I found this black velvet Nikos tanga with mesh cutout detail, me and my therapist were convinced the experiment had succeeded.
/HORST

For more ugly underwear visit our contest archive.