ISSUE 18 OF DEVOLUTION MAGAZINE

Its something that my husband had suggesting to me many times, but I never really took him seriously until late one night at the pub it was mentioned again and it suddenly made sense! It wasn’t too hard to get started as I knew exactly what had to be done and what I wanted to start with. I knew from the beginning what sort of company I wanted to be and just started small, without any sort of business loan or huge 5-year plan. It’s great that I can just grow and develop as I see fit, without having anyone leaning over my shoulder or giving me demands - though of course you are your own greatest critic.

Do you have an artistic / creative background? Had you ever made clothing before Jane Doe Latex?

I have always been painting and drawing since I was a little kid, then when I started gcses I began experimenting with sculpture and at a-level went a bit mental with it! My final piece was a 7 foot cubicle lined with white tiles, each one painted with a red medical cross, inside the box was liquid latex moulded body parts stretches across the walls and pig's ears, eyes and a snout in formaldehyde. Sounds a bit grim but it looked pretty cool. Around that time was also when I discovered the fetish scene and started making my own outfits, I had no idea what I was doing but id go to charity shops and buy leather coats and just cut them up and sew them into weird neck braces and head gear.

Why did you choose to specialise in latex clothing? Is it a tricky material to use?

It’s a skill, something that you have to learn - then its just practice! Though latex manufacturers can be notoriously cagey about passing that skill on! I was offered the apprenticeship and didn't really have to think twice about it, it’s a wonderful material to work with and the final product is very much worth all the hours you put in.

What inspires you when it comes to thinking up new ideas for garments?

Lots of different things can, either it'll just be something that comes to me, or something I’ve had in my head for a long time. Sometimes it'll be talking with a photographer or model and coming up with the ideas for a shoot together, or sometimes there will be an event coming up that I need an outfit for!

Why do you think that the Jane Doe designs took off so well? Did you think they would ever be as popular as they have become?

I think that really it's because it focuses on the fashion side of things rather than being too fetishy - which is great for some companies and obviously has a huge market of its own, but my interests lie in the aesthetics so I go for that angle. I usually just make the clothes that I myself would like to wear and luckily it seems I'm not alone! Also I always make sure that the quality of the patterns and manufacturing is the highest it can be, as a great design for a garment is nothing without the backup and knowledge of a good pattern.

You must have a lot of ‘competition’ from other latex designers, how do you deal with copyright issues and have you ever had to pursue a case seriously?

There is of course a need for lots and varied designs in the market, so I don’t feel that there is competion so much as a good, wide choice for customers to pick from! Though it is something that frustrated me a lot when I see people copying other peoples original ideas, not only my own but whenever I see it happening. At the last count I found two other latex companies selling 'bow belts' which is something that I have been making since 2005 and is my original design. It feels even worse for me in this industry because no one is a multi million selling mega corporate operation but usually just a handful of people doing what they love and trying to make a living out of it. Unfortunately there isn't a great deal that can be done, and I guess if you are being copied it must mean that you are doing something right, but there is one case that I am still being advised on by my lawyers - its just a long process, and an unpleasant one at that.

Obviously there are a lot of people from the fetish community who adorn your outfits for those special nights out on the town, what does the term ‘Fetish’ mean to you personally?

When I was younger and first discovered the scene, the outfits, the clubs etc it was just something that made sense to me. I loved the shiny latex, massive heels and the idea you could go out dressed up like crazy and it was actually encouraged! Now as I make latex clothing it is the ‘scene’ into which I best fit. To me it is not an overtly sexual term as it may be to a lot of people, more a word that describes what I do.

What are your views on the current Fetish clothing scene?

I think that it has grown into something much more than it was even 8 years ago when I first became involved with it. It has become more open and interesting to the general public with the imagery being used in everything from music videos to car commercials. Though usually it is never done fully, just a pair of black stockings, gloves or maybe at the most some Hotpants. I guess it is still kinda scary for the mainstreamers.

If you could design an outfit for anyone in the world, who would it be for and why?

There are lots! Some obvious ones like Kat Von D, Scarlet Johansson and Angelina Jolie (before she went all weird). But I also think Tyra Banks would look amazing in something of mine and I've got a bit of a queen Elizabeth the first obsession so if it were possible defiantly her!

Do you take commissions at the minute?

Yes I do, I'm always happy to hear from customers with specific ideas in mind. Though sometimes those ideas do not always translate into latex well, but that’s where I come in. At the moment I've been getting a lot of clients asking me to design their wedding dresses which is wonderful and such an honour. It’s great that people are realising that latex doesn’t have to be all stern dominatrix and can be glamorous and perfectly okay for a family oriented day!

Will you ever expand your range to accommodate plus size?

I do right now! It specifies on my site that any item can be made in any size - all I need is a few measurements. Every order I get is made to measure at no extra cost.

What does the future hold for the company? Any new designs coming out?

More of the same! More shoots, magazines, shows and lots of new designs. Rather than bring out whole collections I tend to offer new designs one or two at a time when they are ready, so it's always worth checking back on the website every so often.

And finally, do you have any goals that you want to accomplish?