Laced Up III

Dior Fall/Winter 2002 & 2003

If I were a girl. Luckily for you and the rest of the world, I am not. Otherwise I'll throw myself into a pair of black, skin-tight, laced leather pants. But maybe you should?
/HORST

Substance

Balenciaga Fall/Winter 2008

Most probably the best use of latex in fashion. A sexually connotated material that recently found its renaissance in the Spring/Summer 2011 collection of Raf Simons or the designs of Atsuko Kudo.
/HORST

Editor's note For a short history of latex in pop culture, please see Zoo Magazine #32, pages 58-59.

Samples

1. Chris Bakayart
2. Raf Simons
3. Unknown

The non-existent wardrobe. Filled with gradient desire. Fetishized objects that transform from art to garment to uniform. Three short-sleeved T-shirts. Painted, printed, sulphurized.
/HORST

Clearing

Prada Spring/Summer 2009

Everyone who feels harassed by my penetration of transparent coats of any kind is allowed to scream out loud. Now. But I had to do this. For Jasper. And for myself. And for Miuccia.
/HORST

Manipulation

Asger Juel Larsen Spring/Summer 2011

Protective garments that reflect the intensity and bravery of craftsmanship. Intense hues of red and orange that evoke the notion of bursting fire. Cropped and sleeveless tops that expose the wearer's masculinity, strength and sex. Shiny, crispy and studded.
/HORST

Presentation and live installation from today at Machine A, London.

Second Epilogue

Jeremy Scott Spring/Summer 2011

Last night someone heard my prayings and sent a plastic raincoat for men down the runway. Accompanied by fetish leather gear and a garbage bag dress for girls. I must admit, I never loved Jeremy Scott more.
/HORST

Inverted Curve

Top Herb Ritts
Bottom Ellsworth Kelly, 1959

The work of two iconic artists peacefully united. Diametrically opposed to each other. The human and inhuman. The line, the black surface, the inner and outer border. Perversion and inversion.
/HORST

Martial Law

Asger Juel Larsen London College of Fashion BA Menswear 2009

Expressions of masculine strength. Stiff structures, hard contrasts. The chain mail softened by floating materials and wide cuts. Contemporary armour made of blood, sweat and tears, leather, PVC and rubber.
/HORST

Razor Sharp

Photo Peter Lindbergh

Rubber latex, formerly known from cheesy sex mailorder shops, has its comeback and can nowadays be seen in the library, in the office, in the opera. Well at least in the near future. So girls, get ready and shine.
/HORST