Kim West - Latex Clothing

 Sorry for lack of blogging but it's been a busy month. In June I picked up the lovely model, Mam'zelle Maz, from the train station for a photo shoot and on the way home the car blew up. We stood at the side of the M40, taking our life into our hands, for 40 minutes, till we were rescued by the  AA man. TWO months and a new engine later we are still carless. On Tuesday night we had the mother of all downpours which took every pot, pan and bowl we could find to stop the flow. The same night that brought the Big Brother house down. Yes, I am a BB fan.

On the fashion front, I was interviewed by the incredible bright and beautiful Tessa Ditner for the new 1st issue of the relaunched Skin Two, out in September. I'm so pleased that Skin Two has gone back to it's print format. Can't wait to see it.

Last month I lent a green playsuit for the new Roll Deep video for the single Green Light. The video has a very 80's feel. The record came out last week and it's already number 2 in the charts!

 Clash Magazine have posted the full Kim West interview on their website.

We're pleased to be showing 10 swimsuits at the Miami Swim Show this week, the world's largest swimwear show. We are on the Fashion Capital stand along with 5 other British designers.

Found this great old video on Youtube of Queen B on the Jonathan Ross show in 1986 wearing a Kim West harlequin fringed burlesque corset!

April Welsh has written a very nice article about Kim West in this month's Clash magazine. 

 Today we have added a small collection of festival wear consisting of hotpants, bikini and a cape - just in case! It's only available for the festival season so get it while it's here!

Today we have added the Suzie Q Collection which includes swimsuits, bikinis, hotpants, stars and fringes, inspired by our many road trips across America.

 I cant deny what a huge influence the USA has on me. I have so many magical moments that it would be impossible to remember them all! But one which stands out is our first drive out to the desert. The year was 1993  

We had been to the The Ball Bizarre in LA and when we left at 2am,  decided to keep heading east on the I-10

It was a typical LA night. The air was still warm and we had the top down on the old convertible Cutlass Supreme (1967, pale yellow, black leather interior for those geeks that care). 

Me in Death Valley

As we drove through Palm Springs, Creedence Clearwater Revival came on the radio. The song was Susie Q and who could have asked for a more perfect song at that moment. 

Later I was to re-discover that song in Apocalypse Now in what has to be one of my favourite scenes of any films. In the midst of all the jungle mayhem and madness, three Playboy Playmates arrive in a helicopter to entertain the troops. 

Paul Gorman has blogged about Kim West on his excellent site, 'The Look - adventures in rockpopfashion'

He has mentioned our exciting new Glyde-On latex addition and also our soon-to-be-announced 'Basically Kim West' range of cheaper essential fashion items from the collection such as sexy mini skirts (£25), easy to wear dresses from £40 and trendy leggings at £60. Watch this space!

INTRODUCING GLYDE-ON LATEX

We have an exciting announcement to make today!

We have introduced a fantastic new latex to our fashion collection called Glyde-On. No more need for talc, dressing aides and messy silicon polish! Glyde-On is silky smooth on BOTH sides of the rubber allowing it to slip on easily. Washing your garment couldn't be easier either. Simply rinse, dry and go. No need to re-talc or re-polish. Glyde-On has a lovely natural shine but if you desire  a high gloss shine then you can still use the Clynol shine or Pjur Cult Dressing (or any of your preferred polishes).

Some people love the ritual of putting on a latex garment and the shining, buffing and polishing that goes with it. Over the years though I have come across many people who find the hassle of wearing latex prohibitive. It also makes it impossible to stock latex in any mainstream shop as they don't have the facilities in the changing room or staff to supervise the application of talc and silicon.

I recently went into TOPSHOP to check out their range of latex. Three items hung limply on hangers looking very forlorn. I asked the sales assistant if they were difficult to get on and her face said it all. I cant imagine how anyone was able to try on the cycling shorts or leggings in a hot changing room with no chair.

But those days are behind us at last! All we need to do now is work out how to stop it fading in UV light and latex can be proudly displayed in every high street shop. Roll on the day!

Kim

Right. Im going to have a rant so bear with me.

YouTube have flagged three of my videos as ‘inappropriate’ and can only be watched if you are logged in and over 18. The latest is the Baby Doll at the fun fair video which features a dress and leggings. Shock!

What makes it seem even more ridiculous is that YouTube contacted me, asking if I was interested in earning revenue from hosting adverts on that very same video.

All my videos fit the criteria that YouTube insist on. I own all the copyright for images and music. Is it that latex is still so shocking it has to be banned?

What is most frustrating though is that there is nowhere on YouTube that explains the process of tagged videos. There is no appeals process, no comeback. They are judge and jury. The email address on their website leads nowhere, the phone number goes straight to voice mail and I had no response to a letter by snail mail.

What is it about latex fashion that, in 2010, it is STILL deemed as risque enough that only over 18’s can even LOOK at it? And if thats so then how come Lady Gaga’s videos aren’t for over 18’s? It’s the inconsistency from YouTube that I find so annoying. And the fact that Google are a law unto themselves.