BDSM in the Fashion Industry - Case Study Example

Introduction This paper aims to examine the conceptual nexus between feminism and bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadism/masochism or BDSM. In this regard, I wish to underscore the contention that feministic ideas have been more strongly established with the rise of BDSM in the fashion industry. To provide focus and succinctness in my discussion, I shall divide this paper into three parts. The first part will give a brief background on what BDSM is from a psychological standpoint in order to properly introduce its main facetsThe second part will why and how BDSM can be regarded as an offshoot of feministic ideas. The last part will state how the images portrayed in certain BDSM practices have influenced or slowly influencing the fashion industry. BDSM: A Brief Background Bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, and sadism/masochism or BDSM are practices (often sexual in nature) that provide stimulation and intense satisfaction to the persons engaged in the act. While BDSM practices are commonly viewed as either morally degrading or physically abusing, proponents and practitioners view BDSM as safe, sane, and consensual (Sex Information and Education Council of Canada 1). Looking closely at the components of BDSM, “bondage and discipline (BD) refer to (a) the materials applied to restrain one’s ability to move, or the act of applying the materials; (b) the training administered by a dominant partner to her or his submissive regarding how the submissive should behave; and/ or (c) punishment and correction when the submissive fails to act in the proper manner” (Meeker 155). Sadism and masochism, as the same author purported, involve the emotional and psychological underpinnings of being able to consensually dominate or control one partner. Lastly, sadism and masochism consensually use pain, intense sensation, humiliation, and power exchange for erotic enjoyment (Meeker 155). The increasing popularity of BDSM as a concrete expression of sexual behaviors has led to the enrichment of ideological tenets. For example, “one might identify as a slave who tops, as a dominant who enjoys receiving pain (masochist), as a submissive who enjoys giving pain (sadist) or as someone who participates in all or none of these roles” (Meeker 155). Through these findings, it can be further stated that a person’s behavior in any BDSM practice not only reflects his or her understanding of self-identity, but more importantly how one intends to assert that mental construct. More clearly, through BDSM, one is able to express the image he or she wants to convey in a manner that is liberating and self-determining (Palandri & Green 631). Therefore, it is the feeling of being able to expose one’s hidden desires that makes BDSM as unique experience. BDSM and Feminism The central tenet of BDSM—of being able to express one’s inner desires in a sexual manner—has garnered immense support from feminists, primarily because it has opened another venue for reinforcing an empowering image of them. As clearly explained in an article entitled Thoughts and Reflections on Being a Dominant Woman, reasons why women engage in BDSM practices should not be hastily deemed as a direct consequence of parental/sexual abuse, homosexual tendencies, or even gender-role frustrations (Simone 2007). While these factors may influence a woman in engaging in BDSM, it does not hold true for the majority of female practitioners. As further stressed in the same article, it is the benefit of being able to align one’s sexual desires to her proclaimed self-image that influences a woman into becoming part of the BDSM community. In this regard, another article entitled BDSM and Feminism explored in detail women’s common BDSM practices. For one, ‘domestic discipline’ or DD relationships entail “a lot of spanking punishment in the relationships, as well as spanking play during sex” (Carpienter). As the same author pointed out, by being to order sexual positions, to spank, or even to talk down to one’s partner helps a woman’s bolster her self-identity (whether being submissive or dominant in bed). This presents another interesting point on BDSM’s connection with feministic ideas: being submissive in BDSM practices does not always go against the basic concepts of feminism. As the same article BDSM and Feminism strongly asserted, women who engage in consensual BDSM play do so since it gives them pleasure—as opposed to merely acting out patriarchal fantasies (Carpienter). And such is governed by, as the article entitled The Fantasy of Acceptable 'Non-Consent pointed out, “stringent rules and safe practices designed to protect the feelings of everyone involved and to ensure constant, enthusiastic consent” (Fowles 2). BDSM in Modern Fashion and Lifestyle The increasing popularity of BDSM as brought about by various factors—social media, independent film productions, publications, and what not—has paved the way for its unique influences in the fashion industry today. The appeal of BDSM’s ‘tools and plays’ has created a new market for the fashion industry—liberal individuals who are not afraid to unleash their sexual fantasies. An article entitled A Hush Hush Topic No More enumerated some trends in BDSM fashion today. Exposed by a recently released documentary entitled Kink, its investigation on the common lifestyle of BDSM practitioners has been likened to those who belong in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community (Haber) suffer from the same level of hatred, dismissal, and prejudices from people who do not understand its basic tenets. However, it could be claimed that these negative reactions are slowly being replaced by curiosity—thanks to the success of “Fifty Shades of Grey”. Indeed, BDSM is slowly making itself evident in cosmopolitan lifestyle. In New York City, for example, fetish shops like Purple Passion and DV8 that sell ropes, paddles, and the like are getting more visits in the West 20th Street (Haber). In addition to this, dating sites like alt.com and social networking sites like FetLife both offer distinct social experience to its users. While majority of the users opt to remain anonymous while being in these sites, such sites continue to expand their niche markets as evidenced by the yearly increase in sign-ups. The influence of BDSM in modern fashion can also be linked to the rise of latex clothing, pvc clothing, corsets and lingerie (Skin Two Clothing). The common BDSM clothing and accessories can be grouped into four: (1) BDSM tools that include whips, spankers, canes, collars, blindfolds, wrist/ankle cuffs, harnesses, and leather hoods; (2) latex clothing that include corsets, dresses, bras, tops, and stockings; (3) PVC clothing that include basques, dresses, skirts, gloves, and underwear; and (4) corsets and lingerie that include satin, lace, fishnet and lycra. Commonly called “Fetish Fashion”, latex clothing continues to gain more following from both designers and end-consumers worldwide. In the Autumn/Winter 2011-2012 column release by Vogue, some of the notable designers that showcased their work in the catwalk included Alexander McQueen, Louis Vuitton, Emilio Pucci, Marc Jacobs, Topshop Unique, Christopher Kane, Mark Fast, and Emilio de la Morena, Salvatorre Ferragamo, and Dolce and Gabanna (Neel). As the same writer commented on the Fetish Fashion trend, “inspired by The Night Porter, this look is not for the faint-hearted wearer (or spectator) - with latex, PVC and leather playing a starring role in the trend. Save the bondage bindings and lace-up corsetry for your naughtier costume parties and embrace the subtler side of this trend with suggestive sheer inserts, leather panels and black lace” (Neel). In this light, Fetish Fashion or BDSM culture has indeed influenced various facets of consumer lifestyle. As highlighted in an online article entitled Fetish Gear Goes Mainstream – Fashion from the Edge, latex clothing and other BDSM tools “bring high fashion some of its requisite novelty and have also become linked with certain music, known in the U.S. as "gothic," "industrial" or "electronica". Conclusion In conclusion, it can be claimed that the rise to popularity of fetish fashion today can be attributed to the openness of women to embrace and assert their sexuality in a more liberating and self-determining manner. List of Sources Carpienter, Megan. BDSM and Feminism. Jezebel.com, 2010. Web. 14 Mar 2013. Fowles, Stacey. The Fantasy of Acceptable ‘Non-Consent’: Why the Female Sexual Submissive Scares Us. Alternet.org, Dec. 2008. Web. 14 Mar 2013. Haber, Matt. A Hush Hush Topic No More. New York Times, Feb. 2013. Web. 14 Mar 2013. Meeker, Carolyn. Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, and Sadism and Masochism (BDSM) Identity Development. Florida International University, n.d. Web. 14 Mar 2013. Neel, Julia. Autumn/Winter 2011 – 2012 Fetish. Vogue Fashion Trends, Jul. 2011. Web. 14 Mar 2013. Palandri, Marian & Green, Lelia. Image Management in a Bondage, Discipline, Sadomasochist Subculture: A Cyber-Ethnographic Study. Cyber Psychology and Behavior, Nov. 2000. Web. 14 Mar 2013. Rose, Cynthia. Fetish Gear Goes Mainstream –Fashion from The Edge. The Seattle Times, Apr. 1997. Web. 14 Mar 2013. Sex Information and Education Council of Canada. Pushing the Boundaries: What is Sadomasochism? Sexuality and U, Nov. 2012. Web. 14 Mar 2013. Simone. Thoughts and Reflections on Being a Dominant Woman. Chicago-Mistress.com, 2007. Web. 14 Mar 2013. Skin Two Clothing. Skin Two Clothing Homepage. Skintwoclothing.com, 2013. Web. 14 Mar 2013. Read More