Latex in focus, left to right: Designs from Filth, Amsterdam; Angelika Darkling, Athens (photo: Velissarios J George for The Common Pages magazine); and ElinHarness, Ukraine

LATEX IN FOCUS: 3 EUROPEAN BRANDS CURRENTLY IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Everyone who has dipped anything more than just a big toe into the world of latex fashion will have their favourite designers. And it’s gratifying for us to know that Libidex is a favourite of so many latex fans around the world.

But as rubber lovers we may also have our curiosity piqued when brands of which we were, at best, only partly aware are suddenly thrust into the spotlight. Especially if they’re located in parts of the world that are beyond what might be called the main areas of latex activity: the UK, Western Europe and North America.

In the last month, three brands that don’t get that much coverage here in the UK have been receiving flattering media exposure that has prompted us to take a closer look at them for this Latex in Focus story. Two of them are, geographically, definitely off the main fetish fashion axis. The third really isn’t, but has nevertheless managed to fly under our radar for some time, until now.

Angelika Darkling, Athens

A trio of Angelika Darkling latex styles (photos left & centre: John Tsilidis)

The first of our trio is Athens-based latex designer Angelika Darkling. Anglika has been designing and making latex fashion since at least 2016 and is well known on the Greek scene. She has dressed famous Greek fetish model Zirconia Starfighter (above, centre), for example, and her work has been regularly photographed by John Tsilidis, perhaps Greece’s best known photographer on the international fetish scene.

But international interest in Angelika has just has a boost from a major photo feature published in Athens-based, English-language fashion magazine The Common Pages. The second edition of this very on-trend digital product features a short interview with Darkling accompanied by no less than 12 pages of Angela’s designs, all but one shot in striking B&W and all by the mag’s art director, Velissarios J George.

As well as placing latex in focus with Angelika’s creations, The Common Pages is impressive in its own right. Its taste in stunning fashion photography and its international accessibility should win it fans far beyond its country of origin!

Filth Latex Clothing, Amsterdam

Three latex designs by Filth Latex Clothing, Amsterdam, all from its current collection

Based in Amstelveen, Amsterdam, Filth Latex Clothing cannot fairly be described as ‘off the beaten track’, latex-wise! But it’s only now caught our attention for this Latex In Focus story following the publicity around its new collection. We know the “passionate individuals” behind the brand honed their skills starting 30 years ago with DeMask, and that they’ve worked with design consultants including the estimable Beth Parkin. And yet they seem unusually coy about who they actually are.

However, they do have a very nice website, — cleanly designed, and populated with consistently high quality multi-view photography of all their garments. The site depicts all the clothes in their unpolished, semi-matt state, as often preferred by brands aiming for markets beyond traditional fetishishists (ie fashionistas). Meanwhile, the website’s well-written, exclusively English-language info and sometimes British-punk-inspired product names — the Matlock Dropped Sleeve Latex Shirt, the Vanian Long Sleeve Latex Shirt, etc — suggests some very obvious cujltural loyalties.

We just wish they offered greater clarity about which of the 52 designs on the website constitute the “new” collection. It’s easy to infer that it’s the whole lot, but it might not be. On the other hand, if you’ve never seen any of it before, it’s all new isn’t it?!

ElinHarness, Ukraine

ElinHarness of Ukraine’s latest latex style, the Doll Dress, centre, with two of Elin’s other creations on either side

In terms of grabbing the attention, a fully-functioning latex designer brand operating out of Ukraine has to be right up there doesn’t it? Owner/designer Elin launched ElinHarness fairly recently, and it’s a reasonable assumption that she started out making harnesses and then branched into latex. Otherwise, she would have called it ElinLatex, right? Possibly.

Her social media presence may focus on cute, nicely photographed women’s latex styles and decorative/functional harnesswear. But the website reveals a much wider range of products with additional sections devoted to restraint, leather lingerie, clinical restraints and adult baby items, not to mention a whole Vegan line too.

Elin has stated that the business launches new collections three or four times a year and claims to have thousands of satisfied customers in many countries. And almost as an afterthought, at the very bottom of her website is the comforting statement: “All goods are sent from Ukraine. But despite the aggression of Russia, we continue to work and are grateful to you for every order. Thank you.” You’re welcome, Elin!