Bringing fetish to mainstream fashion*

The general public consensus (myself included) is that the word 'fetish' means some creepy guy in a dark room wearing a black latex body stocking- or it at least translates to some sort of representation of twisted human lust. So it is only natural that something simultaneously repulsive, sexual and with so much potential for wearability should weasel its way into mainstream fashion! Sex sells, kids!

I'm writing about this because it is something I have always felt mildly frightened by and because I think that it is always a good idea to wear things you didn't think you would (not that i'm about to become the aforementioned creepy guy. Don't wear things u actually don't want to wear plz).

We begin our journey with Vivienne Westwood (surprise surprise!) and one of the many alter egos of her original Kings Road shop: SEX. This reinvention of the store mainly focused on bondage, spandex, some leather, a lot of skin. As much as Vivienne did not first coin fetishism (credited to Alfred Binet in 1887) she did a lot to create a nationally feared image that was nicely stirred in with punk and goth influences. Thanks, Vivienne!

Vivienne Westwood in Sex

This whole BDSM look only really seems to have catapulted into the high fashion world in circa 2011-13 (look at the Alexander McQueen campaign below). I'm not saying this is the only time but the whole corset/bodysuit look seems to be the aftermath of that particular era.

Alexander McQueen Campaign Spring 2013

Next: A Kardashian/Jenner in the wild. Skin tight leather! Lace up boots!

Kylie Jenner from Daily Mail

I said before about the whole choker/black leather thing being used in punk and goth fashion as well. Below is Nancy in the Craft (an amazing but nightmarish movie) and I think she epitomises 90s punk, a magnification of the scary side of fetish fashion.

The Craft

Lastly: an example of where YOU can buy a fetish-inspired item!

Choker from Nasty Gal

Balmain SS16

The exact nature of fetish in fashion remains unknown, because to some extent every item of clothing that graces the catwalk has been designed to be appealing and sexy. But the black leather/latex/metalwork/stiletto side of fetish in fashion remains extremely obvious and very contemporary compared to last century. As much as the average shopper isn't going to go out and buy bondage, if they have the money they might buy the Balmain dress above.

*All opinions and misunderstandings are my own.