Fetishism in Fashion

In Arnhem just opened a very interesting exhibition called “Fetishism in Fashion’, curated by Lidewey Edelkoort.

For me, one of the few really tickling fashion-fetish accessories is perhaps also the tiniest.

Thanks to Marlene Dietrich, who made a fascinating appearance  in “Der Blaue Engel” (1930), showing off jarretelles on her infamous legs, this little ingenious piece of silk, rubber and metal became  a metaphor of sexual desire! Later fashion changed, of course, and the jarretelle got a bad reputation, until Chantall Thomass reintroduced it again in the 70’s in her fabulous lingerie collection.

In the picture below you can see our stunning design (1991) with the use of only 1 jarretelle. This pinstripe garment was designed from 3 different united items: a short, long trousers and a long skirt. The name of the design was “Secret” (for us also known as the pant-skirt-short ). It was so fabulous and looked so great on all of our customers that we were sold-out in a couple of days!

photograph by Carmen Kemmink – blouse designed by Carmen Kemmink – Pant-skirt-short designed by Puck & Hans