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Leather, Latex and Chains Dominate FW24 Runways
Fetish fashion enters a new era.
Rihanna sang “whips and chains excite me,” and FW24 runways said “hold my beer.” Just like the resurgence of gimp masks on runways, leather and other elements known within the punk and BDSM communities are gaining all the hype.
Out of the 100+ fashion brands showcasing this Fashion Month, leather and chain-detailing took the forefront giving womenswear an edgier look. The most notable show tapping BDSM for influence was Ludovic de Saint Sernin‘s NYFW debut. “I wanted to show the lifelong journey that is discovering your identity — your sexuality,” he told HYPEBEAST backstage.
Considering sex has long been taboo, materials and textures like leather and chains have acted as a means of self-expression, or for others, hiding in plain sight. As Di Petsa stated at its FW24 show, “the act of dressing is a ‘sacred ritual,’” and for kinksters, every element of their wardrobe serves a purpose. For example, donning a leather dog collar signifies you’re a submissive. This season, designers reimagined BDSM favorites and gave staple items new meaning.
Laquan Smith‘s showcase during NYFW revealed seductively tailored leather suits, expanding past the usual black leather with a tan colorway. Dilara Fındıkoğlu merged leather with the forever-trending corset and on an unexpected note, the cone bra. The result? The perfect look for every dominatrix. Emerging designer Jane Wade, on the other hand, reimagined BDSM gimp masks, known for submissives, with head-to-toe chain detailing. Ludovic de Saint Sernin absolutely served a masterclass in kinky attire while Tokyo-based KIDILL, tapped leather collars with a more punk edge.
Willy Chavarria‘s collection tapped the outerwear-as-underwear trend with a leather jacket, domme-inspired gloves and of course… nothing underneath. Latex also empowered men on the runway this year, with Edward Crutchley debuting a western-inspired latex look.
Keep scrolling to see how these staple kinky elements take new forms on FW24.
The Blonds
KIDILL
LaQuan Smith
Willy Chavarria
Diesel
Edward Crutchley
Supriya Lele
Dilara Fındıkoğlu
Di Petsa
Frolov
Jane Wade
LUAR
Ludovic de Saint Sernin
AREA
GCDS
ICEBERG
Rick Owens
In other news, take a look back at Diesel’s kinkiest moments.