News
Kim West at Luxury Latex
In addition to designs available on this website you can find many other Kim West designs in the Kim West Originals range on our sister site Luxury Latex.
Fetishistas October issue
We were thrilled to make the cover of the excellent Fetishistas online magazine.
11 new items!
In all the excitement I forgot to mention that we’ve added the new Autumn/Winter collection to the site. 11 new items including a transparent trench coat, a quilted corset, a halter catsuit and more. We continue adding new fabrics to the range with a silk jersey and latex dress. We are also introducing footless socks and stockings.
Kim x
Showstudio and Susie Bubble
It was nice to be mentioned on the showstudio blog by superblogger Suzanna Lau alias Susie Bubble. I’m a big fan of them both!
Showstudio Blog
House of Holland and Kim West at London Fashion Week
Just got back from the House of Holland show at London Fashion Week! I loved it! It was a punky skinhead fusion of brilliance. I love Sam Rangers eye for styling. It mixed bleached denims (held up with tough braces) incredibly soft napa leather string vests and bags, Fred Perry style lurex shirts and lots of snakeskin and giant leopard prints, Katie Hillier rose gold padlocks on chunky chains, and, of course, Kim West latex bras and pants, peeking out in strategic places, in translucent purple, metallic green and silver.
The collection was fresh, contemporary, and utterly desirable and wearable.
It was great to see our latex on the runway heading past Pixie Geldof, Eliza Doolittle, Marina Diamandis, Ellie Goulding, Nicola Roberts, Jaime Winstone and Lorraine Kelly.
Kim West bra and boy shorts under House of Holland dress
Henry Holland
We can’t say too much about what we’ve been doing, but keep an eye on Henry Holland’s show at London Fashion Week and you may just see some Kim West.
Behind the scenes photoshoot video
The new video of behind the scenes footage from our last photoshoot is now in the video gallery.
Louis Heal tank top
Louis Heal is a very talented designer who has just completed his degree at the London College of Fashion. His impressive final show included latex jeans and tops. This is a high neck top that we collaborated on.
New Galleries
Every time we do a photo shoot there are lots of pictures which I love but aren’t right for what we need at the time. It’s a shame that many of them never see the light of day. Fortunately with our new gallery layout we have somewhere to show them off at last! Have a look at our ‘outtakes’ galleries for some of my favourites.
maz in zebra bikini
Robbie Peachey
Here is a lovely video of Ellie in a Kim West Quilted Dress by the talented photographer, Robbie Peachey
Lorraine Pascale
Gorgeous model, Lorraine Pascale, is doing fantastically well in her new career as a TV chef and baker. She was on the cover of The Observer magazine this weekend, looking as fabulous as ever. She graciously volunteered to model for me in this AIDS benefit show in 1990. The event was organized by Deborah Shaw of Shaws Solutions
Spring is here!
The daffodils are out, the sun is shining and here at Kim West, we are loving the bright fluorescents that we have added. The new Quilted Dress in fuchsia, tangerine, acid green and lemon is almost edible and the Pinafore Dress now comes in a gorgeous royal blue.
We will be adding more brights over the next few days. Time to branch out from boring black!
Guy Bourdin
Came across this while surfing the net – a photo by Guy Bourdin from the early 70′s for Charles Jourdan shoes!
Jimmy Choo uses Kim West Latex
The fabulous shoe designer, Jimmy Choo, has used Kim West latex in their new advertising campaign.
Seen here is the calf length pencil skirt…
Skin Two North
I had a very productive and interesting day at the Skin Two North Fetish Fair on Saturday. First of all, it was a lovely venue and very civilised with tea and coffee served all day.
I was there to launch Fade Stop and what transpired was very interesting.
Everyone I spoke to, without exception, told me they were fed up with using the silicone polishes on their latex.
The problem is that they are sticky and greasy and attract dust, finger prints, hair gets stuck to it, and dull patches appear as soon as you touch it.
The glossy pictures you see in magazines are simply not attainable in ‘real life’.
High gloss shines are great of you are into the look of latex and intend to stand stock still all day but for those who like the feel of latex, the silicone polishes are a disaster.
Fade Stop gives your latex a beautiful natural shine and leaves the latex feeling silky smooth with no trace of greasiness. It also repels dust, resists stains and of course -most importantly – protects from sunlight and ozone damage.
Fade Stop will be available from Kim West on February 21st.
Release of Fade Stop!!
We are excited to announce that we will be releasing samples of our revolutionary new product Fade Stop at the Skin 2 North fetish fair on Sat 12th Feb between 11 and 5.
Fade Stop will allow you to wear your latex in the daytime. It is a spray-on treatment which – when applied regularly – gives total protection from the damaging UV rays in sunlight which cause colour to fade in latex. It also protects from damaging ozone and provides a dust-repellant barrier which helps avoid stains.
If you would like to be informed of prices and availability for retail or wholesale, please email us with the words Fade Stop in the subject line.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to friends and customers old and new. I hope it’s a good one for all of us.
We are starting the year off with a sample sale from January 7th to the 21st.
There is a mix of designs including a wedding dress. Some items are in Glyde-Tex, some traditional finish, and most sizes are an 8/10.
Brian Duffy
I had lunch yesterday with a wonderful man who I consider to be ‘old school’. He has been around the fetish scene for 50 years. He showed me this photo of a red catsuit he made in 1973 for the infamous Pirelli calendar, photographed by the late Brian Duffy. I think it is by far the best of the Pirelli calendars.
New designs!
Today we are adding some brand new designs which I am very excited about. We have a new coat, jacket, jeans and fab Moto quilted knickers and more.
We are now Glyding everything and I can’t tell you enough how totally brilliant this process is. Everything just slips on like a dream. No more struggling to get leggings over feet and up your legs. Jackets and coats slip over other layers with ease. No more greasy dressing aids or streaky, slimy talc. I don’t know how I put up with it all for so long! It’s amazing.
We are also working on another exciting new product to stop fading. Watch this space!
Marks and Spencer
I saw this photo in the latest issue of Elle – M&S leather leggings. They look like they could be latex from the photo and it reminded me of when I was interviewed by Jonathan Ross 20 years ago and I said I could see latex being sold in Marks & Spencer in 30 years time. Judging by the photo maybe we won’t have to wait that long?
Clash Mag
Clash Magazine have posted the full Kim West interview on their website.
Queen B on Jonathan Ross, 1986
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!
Clash Magazine
April Welsh has written a very nice article about Kim West in this month’s Clash magazine.
The Festival Collection
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!
Suzie Q Collection
Suzie Q Collection
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.
The Look blogs about Kim West
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!
June 7th 2010
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
April 25th 2010
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.
February 22nd 2010
| The Evening Standard ran an excellent piece about latex today by Jasmine Gardner featuring two of my wedding dresses.
|
February 16th 2010
| I am pleased to announce the arrival of my new Bridal Collection, available exclusively from Anna McDonald Bridal Gallery, Thame, Oxfordshire.
Anna is a very creative retailer and has been short listed in the highly regarded “Innovation of the year” category at this year’s Bridal Buyer Awards for her ibridal iPhone application for brides. Her shop in Thame is stylish and welcoming and is also short listed in the best bridal Retail Display category at this year’s Bridal Buyer Awards. I am thrilled that we are able to work together to produce such a unique, stylish and sexy collection.
|
February 12th 2010
I was so sad to hear about the untimely death of Alexander McQueen yesterday. He was one of my favorite designers and I was always amazed at how he continually made the fashion world gasp in wonder and appreciation. No mean feat.
I’ve enjoyed looking back at some of his amazing shows – the hologram of Kate Moss, the white dress being sprayed by robots and the incredible carved wooden legs for amputee Aimee Mullins. Very inspirational.
10th January 2010
It’s really exciting to be starting our first full year in business since the re-launch. It’s been a slow start – with the snow in Oxfordshire holding up rubber deliveries for several days. I’m chomping at the bit to get a couple of new designs made and filmed.
Talking of films please have a look at Tim Woodward’s Skin Two interview with moi on the Skin Two website. As usual Tim asked some great questions and it was nice to have the opportunity to talk about what a fantastic material latex is.
There is a very interesting comment about the video on Youtube: “I believe it is always a good thing to have beautiful designs in rubber that aim to be worn as any other material garment outside of the fetish arena. As knitted wool fabrics are generally not seen to be a fetish material, for some folk they are and so the reverse should be able to be said for latex.”
Well said.
December 17th 2009
Last week we went to the launch party of AinsleyT who make the most incredible shoes and boots.
They are beautiful creations, made from the softest leather by top craftsmen. And VERY naughty!
Also this week we found out that our website had been featured in the gallery of best Shopify themes
Well done to our designer, Jennie Routley.
I am also very pleased to say that we will be working with Brigitte Jennewein on some one-off, specially commissioned pieces of antique furniture in the New Year. Brigitte is a brilliant upholsterer and has a shop in Bath.
December 6th 2009
I got a very nice piece in the Saturday Telegraph supplement yesterday. It’s good to get rubber in the mainstream press. There has been a lot of interest from women who have never worn latex before, so that’s brilliant.
THE LATEX NEWS Twenty-five years after she pioneered the idea, Kim West is launching a new collection of latex clothing for the discerning female. In the 1980s her clothing, sleek, sexy and surprisingly comfortable, was worn by such luminaries as Kylie Minogue, Isabella Rossellini and Helena Bonham Carter, and her ‘cowgirl’ dress graced the cover of this magazine.
December 4th 2009
Im very pleased to say I have been asked to be a sponsor AND a judge at the Miss Rubber World contest in New York on January 17th 2010. I’ve heard what a fun evening this is and I’m looking forward to it.
We have just added a new video of my range of lingerie and bedding. I think it’s very sexy and stylish. Hope you like it.
Yesterday I met up with Tim Woodward from Skin Two to record a video interview. I’ll let you know when it’s on the Skin Two website.
Kim x
December 1st 2009
Something dawned on me today. Not much has changed in 25years. It still takes woman some persuading to try on latex. Almost all of the models I have used over the past few weeks have never worn latex but all have been amazed at how easy it is to put on, how good it feels once it’s on and how good it looks! All the models wanted to keep an outfit they had worn.
I get asked all the time “is it hot, uncomfortable, difficult to get on?” The answer to all 3 is NO! Well, with my clothes anyway. I design my clothes so that anything without a zip can be stepped into and pulled upwards. Just a bit of wiggling involved. The trick is to get comfortable and take it slowly. Make sure that the dress/leggings are in the correct position as you go up the body. Get the seams in the correct position as you go – it’s easier than trying to twist the outfit into position once it’s on. If it all goes wrong and you get in a tangle, it’s best to take it off and start again. It all sounds like a right faff but honestly – it’s not! And once you have it on you will be pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it feels.
kim x
November 29th 2009
What I really love about relaunching is the massive changes that have taken place in the last 15 years with the internet.
Youtube is the perfect place to get the word out there and I love making the little videos of all my products. Latex looks so great when you can see it in action!
When I had my shop in Kensington market I would be happy to get 100 people through the doors in a week. Most people teetered on the threshold, a bit shy or nervous to come and explore this strange new fabric. I made the shop as friendly as possible with velvet drapes and a granny rug. Now, on the first day of going live, I had over 3,000 visitors to my online shop. I think that’s amazing! I love it!
We’ve been working really hard the last couple of days editing and uploading short videos of some of the outfits. We’ve added them to the item description. Now you can see video of: stockings, bandeau dress, big knickers, plain and padded sheets, upholstered stool, camisole (that’s my favourite) pillowcases, cushions, zebra tote bag, classic straight skirt, and babydoll dress. And there are more to come in the next few days so come and visit us again soon.
Kim x