Designers continue to play with new leathers, with deep, glossy patents from Viktor & Rolf, and snake or croc-skin exotic textures from Brian Atwood and Altuzarra. Ralph Laruren surprised me last year with a nice "over-the-knee" style, but this year's is even sexier, with a super shiny black leather and contrasting color strap and rear heel. I love the play with contrasting textures on display, such as smooth leather vs. suede, or in the case of the Donna Karan boot, a fur texture playing off of the smooth calf. Laces, straps and buckles abound.
Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen showed one of the most "far-out" shoes of the season, with these "heel-less" booties, with ankle strap. I know some pony-girls who will have these on their Christmas wish lists. Start saving now...
Some were predicting the end of the OTK or thigh-high boot look this season, but I'm glad to see it is still alive and kicking. Altuzarra showed some strap- and leather flourish-embellished styles with their world-culture/gypsy-vibe ensembles.
The tassles had a great sense of movement, and definitely draw the eye (although in these boots, you don't have to worry - you will turn heads no matter what wearing these). Get your attitude ready, you'll need it!
Alexander Wang showed some of the toughest, and most fetishy looks I have ever seen from him. The boots were fierce and raw, a real mix of masculine and feminine, almost armored-looking. (Side note: Did you know boots were orginally men's wear, to protect the legs for hunting and battle? Only later to be adopted by women...) The curve at the instep is so sharp, and the arch so high on these, they look more like a drawing of a fetish boot than something you'd see in real life. 
Alexander Wang also had leather puffer-jackets - something I have wanted to play with for a while now. I know there is a whole branch of fetishism for the puffy look, and of course there are the leather fans, so it's a great thing to bring the two together! Note how the cross-body strap adds to the bondage feel. I want to do a puffy, 2-layer sleepsack. Wouldn't that be great?
He also had these quilted jackets, which I think look fantastic. He had his models with the lower half of their faces covered, but I couldn't tell if he was going for a gagged look, or more like a SARs mask? Overall it had a feeling of protection. This jacket also continues a trend I have seen over the last couple years of a very heavy, stiff construction - this jacket is going to wear you instead of you wearing it!
Alexander Wang also featured these unusual materials, like the rubber-covered knit fabric shown below. I just love the way the sleeve integrates into the glove. 
Givenchy also showed many styles featuring super-long (all-the-way-up-the-arm) skintight gloves, and tall shiny boots. But my favorite drool-worthy dress was this number in black leather. There is nothing like a great form-fitting leather dress with a high-collar.
Speaking of a sleek, fitted leather look, Bally presented this piece, which I kind of liked for it's impeccable fit. Although I am not crazy about the "not-sure-how-to-finish-the-hem" assymetrical skirt solution. But would I complain if my wife came home in this? Not a chance!
Gianfranco Ferre had this straight-from-the-asylum look, complete with locking-hasp buckles... Sometimes these designers aren't just aping a fetish look - that's the real harware (locks not included).
And Missoni had these high-collared under shirts in what looked like metallic latex, with beautiful, thin elbow-length gloves - another great mix of colors and textures with a fetish vibe. 
Skin-tight long gloves are something I think every woman should have... It is just such a hot look! Why can't these come back, everywhere?
So why do fashion designers seem to go towards the same plastic pleasures as we perverts and fetishists? Could it be because there is some universal appeal in things that are soft, shiny and skin tight? Fashion can protect you from the world, and keep you warm, but it is also a kind of packaging - affecting how the world sees us, and how we see ourselves. We apparently like to see ourselves skintight, shiny, and a bit tied up. One can only hope it continues, especially for someone like myself who never thought I would see these types of incredible, sexy shoes, gloves and pervy clothes outside the pages of a fetish magazine. It makes me very happy.
Interested in seeing more? Check out the "Fashion Shows - Fall 2012" link at style.com.
i kind of super want those pony boots. i don't know where they'd be appropriate to wear, but they're just too beautiful. (although i kind of irrationally love ankle boots...no clue why).
ReplyDeletethanks for the links/pics/stuffs!