Strappy accents have been spotted literally everywhere, from backup dancers at the VMA’s, to totally drool-worthy beach pics on Instagram or post-workout gym selfies. It’s hard to deny that anything remotely “caged” is not officially a major trend.
Chromat’s latest collection featured at New York Fashion Week is no exception. Known for their signature risqué, edgy style fit for a Bond girl (or the next “Fifty Shades” movie), Chromat certainly did not disappoint.
Real life femme fatales took the runway by storm, walking with heavy brows, slicked back ponytails and chunky platforms. Wearing sexy variations featuring X straps and waist-cinching caged detailing at the waist, the collection was fittingly dressed to kill.
Designer Becca McCharen, mastermind behind all of the heart stopping looks for Chromat Fall 2015 collection, raised the bar for her conceptual ideas to another level.
With cone-shaped cut-out visors and strappy showoff corsets, the details of this innovative collection venture into futuristic territory. Featuring intricate latex cage bustiers, criss-cross strapped bralettes and even laser beam dresses, the Autumn/Winter “Mindware” 2015 collection bridges the gap between tech-meets-fantasy.
Latex played a major role in the Matrix-approved collection, as the models sauntered in garters and thigh highs or latex bodices.
Utilizing 3D printing, McCharen created a selection of seriously fierce, bondage-inspired pieces. With an emphasis on empowering women of all backgrounds and sizes, McCharen personally selected models who exuded a confidence that’s both strong and powerful.
The diverse models included plus size and transgender women to walk down the runway, fearlessly working it in fitted bodysuits equipped with avant-garde accents.
Written by Jade Nicolette
The idea of latex being central to the collection rather than just an accent makes this feel more like a statement about material innovation than just a trend piece.
I appreciated the mention of waist-cinching cage detailing because it shows how structure and form are just as important as the shock factor in these designs.
The description of those cone-shaped cut-out visors really stuck with me, it sounds like Chromat pushed straight into sci-fi territory while still keeping everything wearable in a bold, editorial way.
The “Mindware” concept feels very on brand for Chromat, blending futuristic elements like laser beam dresses with that signature edgy, almost cinematic aesthetic.
I can picture those criss-cross strapped bralettes translating easily into streetwear looks, especially given how popular cage details have become on Instagram and at the gym.
It’s interesting how you connected the runway looks to everyday sightings like VMAs dancers and gym selfies, showing how high fashion and pop culture are feeding each other.
What stood out most was the use of 3D printing for bondage-inspired pieces, which feels like a natural extension of the tech-meets-fantasy theme you described.
The emphasis on diverse casting really elevates the collection beyond aesthetics, making the empowering message feel as important as the garments themselves.
Those intricate latex cage bustiers sound like statement pieces that would dominate any look, not just complement it, which feels very true to Chromat’s style.
The corsets with strappy showoff elements sound like they blur the line between lingerie and outerwear in a way that Chromat consistently does well.
I loved how you highlighted the X straps and waist-cinching cages, because that silhouette feels like the clearest evolution of the strappy trend we’ve been seeing everywhere lately.
Seeing latex bodices paired with garters and thigh highs makes the Matrix comparison feel spot on, especially with that sleek hair and heavy brow styling on the models.
I didn’t expect 3D printing to mesh so well with latex, but the way you described it makes the collection feel both cutting-edge and cohesive.
That “dressed to kill” description fits perfectly with the femme fatale energy, especially with the strong, confident walk you described from the models.
I like how you framed Becca McCharen as pushing her conceptual ideas further, because everything from the laser dresses to the cage work feels like a clear progression.
The inclusion of plus size and transgender models didn’t feel like a footnote here, it actually sounded integral to the power and confidence of the whole presentation.
Those chunky platforms paired with slicked-back ponytails really complete the Bond girl vibe you mentioned, making the whole runway feel cohesive and intentional.
The futuristic visor detail is something I haven’t seen much of lately, and it’s cool that it wasn’t just gimmicky but tied into the overall Mindware concept.