Polyvinyl Chloride

1. Raf Simons Fall/Winter 2011
2. James Long Fall/Winter 2011

As our short history of the plastic raincoat in popular culture evolves into a comprehensive saga, its index demands another chapter. Working title: Polyvinyl and polymer in contemporary fashion.
/HORST

Undoubtedly

Maison Martin Margiela Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011

Earlier today, the infamous Maison fulfilled a Horst prophecy and presented transparent suits and plastic raincoats. Besides, the post-baroque Hotel Maison Champs Elysées delivered the backdrop for brutalist motorcycle jackets and tape-draped evening dresses.
/HORST

The Farhi Simons Scandal

Nicole Farhi Spring/Summer 2012 vs. Raf Simons Spring/Summer 2011 & 2008

As the previous Farhi scandals have been quite easy to grasp, this one takes on complexity and merges various Raf Simons collections. Mere copy or honest tribute? Who will be throwing the first stone?
/HORST

See also The Farhi Sander Scandal and The Burberry Prada Scandal

A Short History Of Twins In Popular Culture III

1. Hellen van Meene
2. Unknown
3. Unknown
4. Teenage Wasteland by Ben Weller for Dansk
5. DSquared Spring/Summer 2011 by Mert & Marcus

Scary schoolgirls, sexy schoolboys, plastic raincoats and an apple. When twins are metaphorically attached to sin. When brothers become lovers. The sweet becomes viscous. And our voyeurism is satisfied.
/HORST

See also Part I & Part II.

A Short History Of The Plastic Raincoat In Popular Culture III

1. Maison Martin Margiela by Mark Borthwick
2. Raf Simons Fall/Winter 2002
3. Unknown
4. Jil Sander Spring/Summer 2007
5. Tush Magazine by Diego Fuga

All good things must come to an end. But we'll cry no single tear, we'll walk in the rain. Well prepared, armoured in Margiela, Raf Simons or Jil Sander. As I said: All good things must come to an end.
/HORST

Clearing

Prada Spring/Summer 2009

Everyone who feels harassed by my penetration of transparent coats of any kind is allowed to scream out loud. Now. But I had to do this. For Jasper. And for myself. And for Miuccia.
/HORST

A Short History Of The Plastic Raincoat In Popular Culture II

1. Abbey Lee Kershaw, i-D Spring 2010
2. Patrik Ervell Fall/Winter 2010
3. Richard Nicoll Fall/Winter 2009 & Comme Comme Spring/Summer 2011
5. American Psycho, 2000
6. Lady Gaga, Vanity Fair 2010
7. Scarlet Street (1945), Follow Me Quietly (1949), Miss Sadie Thompson (1953)
8. Helmut Lang Spring/Summer 2003 & Spring/Summer 2005

Don't ask me why but I am still researching, archiving and assembling reference images picturing the use of clear plastic in fashion. One might call it obsession, I'd like to see it more as a tribute to an underexposed brilliancy.
/HORST

P.S.: The original plastic raincoat from Blade Runner sold for $1,600.00 on ebay.

Image credits Catwalking, Jak & Jil, Style.com