“MEAT” is the new streetwear collaboration between two London designers Bo Claridge and Alis Pelleschi with a love for all things latex. Drawing from snippets of their youth, including British chav counter-culture, UK garage and raves, the designers re-imagined latex pieces with a futuristic edge.
A past Spring/Summer 2013 Collection entitled “4D Fantasy” employs latex trousers, tagged with graffiti and sassy messages, giving viewers a glimpse into their edgy style. Using simple silhouettes and clean pastels, MEAT takes a hint of 90’s nostalgia and propels it out into a far-flung rave landscape, somewhere far in another galaxy.
Recent collections like “Fantasy” and A/W ‘14 “Mutant” have spot on clubwear and commercial appeal, with everything from saucy criss-crossed bikini tops, Ninja Turtle garter leggings and crop tops, and heart-emblazoned miniskirts.
Designed for the survival of the sickest, a quick glance at the “Your Sweet 666” Skirt certainly gives things a cheeky, in-your-face vibe. “We want MEAT boys and babes to feel super sexy in their own skin, quite literally,” the designers quote. You don’t have to look twice to get a feel for the fearless empowerment and avant-garde sensuality imbued in their designs.
Bo Claridge and Alis Pelleschi specialize in rubber wear, with a profound belief that latex can be elevated beyond fetish-wear circles. MEAT began in 2012, after the pair moved to London and began designing because they simply had nothing to wear to go out in. Celebrities and singers quickly caught wind of the budding talent, with the likes of Rita Ora, Grimes and Azealia Banks commissioning customized pieces.
“Designed for women of all ages who are taking control of their destiny’s, their careers, their environment and the technology that surrounds them, through their commitment to continual learning,” the designers said, envisioning a bright future and allowing the brand to constantly evolve with every season.
Self-professed digital natives, Claridge and Pelleschi’s glitch-themed style reflects the hyper tech-savvy landscape of today’s modern world.
Written by Jade Nicolette
The heart-emblazoned miniskirts alongside more aggressive pieces like the 666 skirt create a fun contrast between cute and rebellious.
I appreciate how they mix 90s nostalgia with this futuristic, almost galactic rave aesthetic instead of just copying retro looks outright.
What stands out is the balance between avant-garde and commercial appeal, which isn’t easy with latex but seems to work here.
It’s interesting that MEAT started because they had nothing to wear out in London, and now celebrities like Rita Ora and Grimes are commissioning custom pieces.
The idea of pushing latex beyond fetish wear really comes through in the clean pastel silhouettes, which feels like a smart way to make it more wearable in actual club settings.
Those Ninja Turtle garter leggings sound wild, but paired with crop tops and miniskirts I can see how it lands in that playful rave space they’re describing.
The glitch-themed influence tied to being digital natives is a nice touch, especially since it aligns with the hyper-tech club scene they’re referencing.
Calling the collections “Fantasy” and “Mutant” fits perfectly with the exaggerated silhouettes and bold pieces like criss-cross bikini tops.
I didn’t expect clean pastels to work so well with latex, but it softens the material and makes the whole collection feel more accessible.
The “Your Sweet 666” skirt detail really sums up the cheeky attitude of the brand, mixing humor with that in-your-face club energy.
Their quote about wanting people to feel sexy in their own skin, literally, makes a lot more sense when you think about how latex molds to the body.
I like how they tie UK garage and chav culture into latex without it feeling like a costume, especially with those graffiti-tagged trousers from the 4D Fantasy collection.