Spring 2011's Bondage Brigade
Photos: Imaxtree
(Left to right) Looks from Marios Schwab, Lanvin and Temperley London
If Spring had a running playlist that corresponded with trends, we imagine there'd be a fantastic mix of Donna Summer, some '90s grunge (for the shoes), and Devo's "Whip It." Corsets, harnesses, and even a riding crop made it down the runways, making the bondage look officially in.
Though many critics skirted around all the harnesses, delicately labeling them "equestrian," we're calling a spade a spade: As sporty as the looks were, there was a sexier undertone to the styling, lending the pieces an upscale, dominatrix feel. From Lanvin to Rag & Bone, designers were fit to be tied (sorry!).
This isn't the first time we've seen the harness cross over into mainstream. The last few years have seen leather straps crop up at Narciso Rodriguez, Thakoon, Givenchy (Spring 2009), and more. But now the leather has lightened up, for the most part, making the harnesses easier to wear—sartorially, at least.
Temperley's harnesses came in leather and chain link (on top of chain mail); Marios Schwab's leather straps were worn over a plain white dress.
Even Hermès got in on the action, parading a leather corset with leather harness and crop in hand. Is it getting hot in here?
Jean Paul Gaultier, in a departure from nearly every other designer, offered up patent leather, lipstick-red, lace-up boots. Mandy Coon showed several leather-trimmed dresses and tops, but only one model had a leather noose around her neck, the frayed edges reminiscent of a cat-o'-nine-tails.
And typically sporty Y-3 gave us corsets, dark and vampy (or vampiric), showing just enough skin to be sexy.
So if all the white dresses and '70s looks are too light for you, take a walk on the wild side come Spring.
Who knows, you might even like it.
