The Queen will be dressed in latex if designer Atsuko Kudo has her way
If you’re in the market for a slinky latex dress, there’s only one name to know: Atsuko Kudo.
The Japanese-born designer has created ‘second skin’ dresses for a whole host of celebrity names from Kim Kardashian and Bella Hadid to Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell.
Quite a portfolio.
Her celebrity commissions are still coming in thick and fast. She’s the name behind *that* shiny red dress Lady Gaga wore to meet the Queen in 2009 (“my special dress,” the designer tells Yahoo Style UK) and worked alongside former Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci on Beyonce’s nude gown worn to the 2016 Met Gala.
Beginning her passion in Tokyo in the 90s, Kudo “fell in love with the look and feel of latex,” first worked with the difficult fabric in a fetish shop.
Aiming to change the fabric’s connotation from ‘sex’ to ‘power’, the designer believes latex shows the female shape the best.
“When I wear it, I feel like a super woman. We want all women who wear Atsuko Kudo to feel beautiful, feminine and strong.”
Kudo’s designs might look like they’re hellish to wear, but Beyonce’s stylist Ty Hunter told Extra her latex number was probably “the quickest dress to get in” and “most comfortable” of all her Met Gala looks.
However, Kudo admits “it is very difficult to work with as it is unlike other fabrics.”
She’s so talented that she can create the unforgiving looks from just a bunch of numbers. When working with celebrities, “sometimes we see them in person, sometimes we only work from measurements. Ideally I prefer to meet in person to get the perfect fit but it’s not always possible.”
Although latex is still yet to be a wardrobe staple for the average woman, the fact that royalty has seen (and appreciated) her designs is enough for Kudo.
“The moment we saw the Queen smiling in the same picture with Lady Gaga wearing our dress, I knew latex had been accepted and that it marked a new step,” she added.
However, Kudo is aiming even higher, wanting to dress the Queen herself in a latex skirt suit. “She is a true icon of the establishment. So maybe it would be a bit subversive. She often wears very bright and strong colours already so I don’t think it’s a massive step for her!”
A simple midi dress by Atsuko Kudo will currently set you back £300 (although more expensive bespoke versions are available) with most of her customers being of the less famous kind.
“Our latex designs are for all sizes, shapes and ages of women – not for just celebs and models,” commented the designer. “If the cut is done correctly, it will give magic to everyone no matter who they are or what their shape is – we will make the most of whatever you have. We are working hard everyday to achieve that.”
Her tips for sliding into one of her latex creations? “We recommend you moisten yourself with special latex lube to slip on the skintight garments. Latex is stronger than you think but it’s not good with sharp things so watch your nails!”
Take a look at some of the famous faces who can’t get enough of Atsuko Kudo and her latex wizardry.
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