(Picture: Michael Spencer)
What do Lady Gaga and Miley Cyrus have in common? Is it that they are both ‘alternative’ musicians who make mainstream music? Or that they strive to find new ways to wind up Christians and prudes? Or is it that they both buy their latex in Islington? Bingo.
Latex is having a moment, and its epicentre can be found in a small boutique called Atsuko Kudo, near Highbury and Islington tube station.
The Japanese designer behind the brand has clothed a roster of celebs in raunchy plastic numbers – from fetish icon Dita von Teese to squeaky-clean Katy Perry.
She is the lady behind the shocking, shiny nude bikini Cyrus wore last year at the VMA awards.
And when Lady Gaga had an audience with the Queen, no other designer would do. Atsuko Kudo created a delightfully bizarre red dress with shoulder pads the size of melons.
But don’t get your PVC knickers in a twist, Gaga’s outfit was tasteful – with latex reaching up to her neck and down to her ankles. Her Maj must have been pleased.
The shop stocks all kinds of latex gear – from the sexy studded bras seen on Gaga, to cute, lacy collars you might want to wear to work. And not all it’s customers are flown in for a fitting.
“All sorts of people come in here, from Lady Gaga to your run-of-the-mill perve” the shop assistant says.
“And our products aren’t just for sex parties.”
