Libidex has for years been renowned as the ‘home’ of the catsuit, and as creator of some very fine hoods and lingerie too. But the new Libidex collection shows how the Libidex magic works when applied to dresses skirts and tops, and the effects that can be achieved using the new latex colours from Radical Rubber.

This collection is one of the biggest additions Libidex has ever made to its already large range. Simon Rose and his design team have produced over 70 new creations, offering a really great choice of looks — tight and cheeky uniforms, dresses featuring sleeves with a hint of Victoriana, corseted waists and revealing tops finished with lacework and ‘keyholes’.

“The idea was to broaden the range and its appeal, but also to design something that was both classic and kinky”, Simon explains. “We’ve used some quite simple ideas — pencil skirts for example – and reinterpreted them through the fetish looking-glass, as it were. We’ve aimed to design something not only for the fetish aficionado, but for anyone who just wants their clothes to look — and feel — sexy.”

The new collection should certainly appeal to a wide audience, offering something for practically everyone. Evening gowns can be found rubbing shoulders with revealing long split skirts and some decidedly naughty tops. The stern Victorian-style Governess Dress’ is bound to be a favourite, and the uniforms – everything from the air hostess ‘Jet Set Dress’ to the slightly Teutonic ‘Military Dress’ – can’t fail to excite. No surprise Libidex reckon these new outfits are going to be the head-turners of 2008!

When it came to the fashion shoot for the new collection, the company also took a new approach to finding a model. Libidex announced that it was searching for a new model in a number of articles — one of them here on The Festishistas — and through websites such as Model Mayhem.

“I was looking for someone not necessarily with fetish modelling experience — I wanted a fresh, different look”, Simon explains. “We had a lot of people applying to us, and that in itself is great because it’s given me a list of models I can draw on in the future.” The girl Libidex eventually chose — Monica Harris — saw The Fetishistas’ story and applied for the position in person when she and Simon met by chance in a nightclub!

Monica turned out to have the ideal qualities for the shoot — a combination of sexy mischief and an inviting look. “We didn’t want people to think they necessarily had to be six-foot high with enormous fake boobs to look good in rubber”, says Simon. “Monica did not have much experience in modelling fetish fashion before she worked with us, but she turned out to be a natural and I think she’ll appeal to a wide audience.”

We entirely agree! And right now, you can try the new range for yourself at a discount, as the whole of the new collection is currently in the Libidex February sale, with all prices reduced by 25 percent! To help you work out just how much of a bargain you could get, we have captioned each picture in our Gothic Image Libidex gallery (right) with the regular price and sale price. Please note that these sale prices are valid only for as long as they remain displayed on the Libidex website.

Although for the purposes of the fashion shoot the new collection was made up mostly in black, a very large choice of colours and colour combinations is possible for all the garments shown. In fact a notable feature of the collection is the use of new colours from Radical Rubber, the new UK sheet latex company which Libidex launched at the 2007 Barbican Xpo. Simon clearly enjoys the deep-toned metallics, subtle electrics and sensuous translucents from the Radical Rubber range, and has created some eye-catching effects using contrasting edging and lace.

Libidex is marketing and distributing Radical Rubber worldwide, and the new colours — not to mention the attractive prices and helpful service — have, we’re told, been a hit with fetish fashion makers all over the globe. Nigel Walker — Simon’s partner in Libidex and a director of Radical Rubber — says he’s pleased with the way things have gone since the company’s launch in July 2007.

“We now number pretty much all the major latex labels among our customers, and we’re also pleased to look after our smaller customers too. We have had a lot of good feedback about the product, and we’ve acted quickly when things have gone wrong — no use pretending that launching a new product is ever easy! We’ve made many improvements to Radical Rubber since it first came on the market, and I can now confidently say it’s of comparable quality to any other fashion-grade sheet latex.”

Nigel adds that the Radical Rubber team is working on several new ideas for colours and effects, which it is aiming to launch later this year.