Interview with latex designer Penny McClish

Latex and leather are by far the most popular materials among fetish ponies and its no wonder. Hugging the body like a second skin and emitting distinctively erotic aromas, they're perfect for putting one into an altered, playful headspace. A full pony suit of either of these materials, however, presents a significant expense, so of course the consumer wants to make sure that he or she gets the best quality possible. If leather is the desired material, there are seemingly endless resources for finding top of the line products, but information on how to find superior latex is rare. But, lucky for us, the talented Penny McClish, the latex artist behind LustDesigns.com was kind enough to answer some questions about how to shop for and buy top quality latex clothing.

Is all latex created equal? I've heard that the very latexy smell is evidence of poor quality material.
I have never heard the "latexy smell" thing. I love the smell of latex and its one of the first things people comment on when they enter my studio. "It smells so good in here!" I'm probably one of the few people who would even notice, but all latex companies' stock smells a little bit different.

Is there a certain supplier that is associated with particularly high caliber latex?
4D Rubber used to be the standard for good quality latex, but recently Radical Rubber has come onto the scene and they have fantastic latex as well.

Are there any special things to look for, like flaws that may occur in latex that the layman might not think of? How much wear and tear is reasonable before an item rips?
Good latex will have a nice, even sheen and shouldn't be blotchy when shined. It should have a nice stretch that bounces back to its original shape very quickly. If it is white or powdery in places that means it is deteriorating from sun or heat damage and will be weak in those areas. Seams should be nice and even and not too lumpy from excess glue or finger divots from the stretching as its put together. Some small amount of rippling is going to occur over large curved seams, but as long as when it is stretches over your body curves it evens out, it's good quality.

For anything with hardware (bridles, straps, stirrups, reins) you should make sure it is made of a nice, heavy gauge rubber with reinforcements anywhere hardware is attached. You should be able to give buckles, rivets, snaps, etc. a good strong tug without the hardware pulling out.

Latex is fairly delicate, even in its thicker forms, so always use caution when getting dressed. Make sure you aren't in a hurry and you give yourself time to enjoy the experience of dressing. For my clients that aren't seasoned latex wearers, I tell them to pretend like they are putting on an outfit made of really expensive silk stockings. Use the pads of your fingers, not fingernails to pull on latex.

Getting dressed up in latex can be a very intimate part of a scene as opposed to it just being the costume to get dressed in before. Especially when training a pony! Taking your time to groom them, saddle them, latex them & shine them enhances the experience for everyone.

Latex can stand up to some abuse but its weak points are the seams, where hardware interacts (rivets, snaps, etc.) and areas that get a lot of stretch, like neck- and armholes. Again, use common sense when wearing your latex. Don't yank on straps or pull excessively hard on snaps. Make sure to hold the reinforcing under the hardware when you are trying to pull snaps apart or buckle a strap.

How do you make sure you get a good fit with a custom item?
The best way to get a good fit in latex is to have your local latex designer take measurements and go in for fittings before the piece is finalized. If you are not in an area where you can easily see your latex designer in person you will need someone else to take your measurements for you. It can be very difficult to find someone to do this well and it can be a confusing process. I recommend my clients download my measurement chart and take it to their local alterations shop or seamstress so that they can have a professional measure them. Most mistakes in fit result directly from incorrect measurements from clients.

How many fittings should a good latex couturier require before getting the perfect fit?
I like to be able to do at least one fitting to get a correct fit. It is very difficult to get it perfect the first try, so do not be disappointed if your new custom catsuit needs some tweaks to make perfect. There are over 60 measurements needed! If you are not local to your designer the best thing you can do is take detailed photos of yourself and the problem areas and write a description of what you would like changed. If you can go so far as to take measurements as well, that is very helpful. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but it will be worth it when you get your perfect fit.

Do not be afraid to ask for changes and follow up with your designer. Most designers want to hear from their clients and want you to be happy. They'd much rather have you ask them to fix something than have you unhappy and without a great outfit to wear! I've heard numerous people say that they felt bad or didn't want to be mean and never had their garments fixed. That's crazy! All designers want you to love your outfit and come back for more so they should bend over backwards to make it perfect for you. I know I do!

Are measurements for latex clothes given in the same way as measurements for normal clothes?
Latex sizing is different from regular dress sizing as you want your latex to be nice and tight. To get this fit the latex will be a few inches smaller than your actual measurements. Most latex designers have a size chart that lists basic body measurements and where they fall within their personal size chart. If you have a question - ask! All designers want you to get a great fitting piece and will help with fit questions.

It seems there are different thicknesses of latex available. What would you recommend for basic items like dresses, pants, etc.? For a corset? For tack or gear?
There are many different thickness of latex. For a dress or top I would recommend .33mm. (I'm using 4D thickness as examples.) For pants and jackets you want something a little heavier like .45mm or .50mm. For corsets, cuffs, tack/gear you want the heaviest you can get which is usually somewhere in the .65mm range. Again, with any heavier gauged latex items such as tack or corsets, make sure all the hardware areas are reinforced.

Would a couturier be able to produce a shaped, structured mask?
Shaped, structured masks are a very unique product and most latex clothing designers don't offer them. This is because they are usually molded on a form and it can be very costly and difficult to create. There are some great mask manufacturers out there. Mr S in San Francisco carries some really cool puppy and horse heads.

Should special care be taken for latex gear in contact with metal, such as that in a bit or stirrups?
Metal will stain latex so I'd stay away from tack in light colors like pink and white. Although it would look amazing, it will stain after a few wears.

Is there anything you'd consider latex unsuitable for, such as reins or tack connecting a human pony to a functional cart?
I think stirrups and reins could work fine in latex with proper use, as long as a thick enough gauge was used and the hardware was reinforced correctly. Again, common sense when playing goes a long way with latex.

I wouldn't use latex to actually attach a pony to a cart as it stretches, no matter how thick the gauge, and it could be a potential hazard. If it tears or breaks under tension it could whip back and injure someone. It would be particularly harmful if a buckle or rivet was at the end that snapped!

What item would you suggest using along with latex besides leather?
I would recommend using leather or heavy nylon strapping. You could potentially cover nylon strapping in latex for this use if you want a completely latex look, but it would be extremely costly and time consuming.

To see examples of Penny's work (or just to see some great, free latex pictures!) and contact her about creating a custom pony skin or tack set, visit www.LustDesigns.com.