Earlier this month, behind a lavender curtain in a fitting room in New York's East Village, I found out everything I ever wanted to know about latex. Here are some things that may surprise you: it smells like vanilla milk chocolate, it's 100% natural (a product of the rubber tree), it's extremely durable, and, until the arrival of The Baroness in the mid-90s, it was rarely seen in the light of day.
In her own words, The Baroness is repsonsible for making latex what it is today. As well as organizing The Fetish Retinue, New York's premier fetish party, The Baroness wants to bring latex to the masses. Her East Village emporium, stocked with a rainbow of her rubbery desings, is the number-one destination for latex in the US. So when Opening Ceremony wanted to add a surprise element to its Vegas-inspired fall womenswear collection, the design team called up The Baroness.
Below, the queen of latex explains inflatables, the pieces she designed with Opening Ceremony, and why we have The Avengers to thank for modern-day fetish wear.
Shop Opening Ceremony collection here | Photos by James Parker
Alice Newell-Hanson: When customers come into the store, what are they looking for usually?
The Baroness: A lot of people will come in for one piece—if it’s their first, it’s usually a black skirt—otherwise, they might be going to one of the big fetish events.
What are the big fetish events?
There are quite a few around the world. Usually they’re a three or four day event with a specific dress code, and [attendees] are looking for a full look for each activity. They’re trying to outdo each other and the previous year’s outfits, so these costumes are huge. We did a Swiss guard uniform for $5,000. One year we did a matador. And when I dress them, my clients win the awards for the Best Dressed.
If people are looking for something more specific, I like to meet them—because I’m just a pervert! [Laughs] But also, if you’re spending a lot of money on something more intense, I think you should have exactly what you want. That’s my goal: if you have a fantasy, let me make it happen for you.
What have been some of your favorite custom looks?
I like things that nobody else could make, things that are a technical challenge. As a designer, making custom pieces is always a pleasure because you’re constantly tweaking and discussing things with the client. They might want horse’s hooves coming out of their head, or something ridiculous. It’s such a treat! It’s like playing dolls for me.
I also like it because clients tell me about things that are going on in the BDSM world. I organize the Fetish Retinue, which, after 13 years, is the longest running fetish party in New York. I also do Royal Amusement, a sit-down dinner where everyone has to dress up, and I mean elaborate outfits. I love to see people dressed-up!
Which outfit are you most proud of?
The dress Linda Fargo wore to the Met’s punk gala this year I was particularly pleased with. I really enjoyed seeing the
In her own words, The Baroness is repsonsible for making latex what it is today. As well as organizing The Fetish Retinue, New York's premier fetish party, The Baroness wants to bring latex to the masses. Her East Village emporium, stocked with a rainbow of her rubbery desings, is the number-one destination for latex in the US. So when Opening Ceremony wanted to add a surprise element to its Vegas-inspired fall womenswear collection, the design team called up The Baroness.
Below, the queen of latex explains inflatables, the pieces she designed with Opening Ceremony, and why we have The Avengers to thank for modern-day fetish wear.
Shop Opening Ceremony collection here | Photos by James Parker
Alice Newell-Hanson: When customers come into the store, what are they looking for usually?
The Baroness: A lot of people will come in for one piece—if it’s their first, it’s usually a black skirt—otherwise, they might be going to one of the big fetish events.
What are the big fetish events?
There are quite a few around the world. Usually they’re a three or four day event with a specific dress code, and [attendees] are looking for a full look for each activity. They’re trying to outdo each other and the previous year’s outfits, so these costumes are huge. We did a Swiss guard uniform for $5,000. One year we did a matador. And when I dress them, my clients win the awards for the Best Dressed.
If people are looking for something more specific, I like to meet them—because I’m just a pervert! [Laughs] But also, if you’re spending a lot of money on something more intense, I think you should have exactly what you want. That’s my goal: if you have a fantasy, let me make it happen for you.
What have been some of your favorite custom looks?
I like things that nobody else could make, things that are a technical challenge. As a designer, making custom pieces is always a pleasure because you’re constantly tweaking and discussing things with the client. They might want horse’s hooves coming out of their head, or something ridiculous. It’s such a treat! It’s like playing dolls for me.
I also like it because clients tell me about things that are going on in the BDSM world. I organize the Fetish Retinue, which, after 13 years, is the longest running fetish party in New York. I also do Royal Amusement, a sit-down dinner where everyone has to dress up, and I mean elaborate outfits. I love to see people dressed-up!
Which outfit are you most proud of?
The dress Linda Fargo wore to the Met’s punk gala this year I was particularly pleased with. I really enjoyed seeing the