Dressing for Pleasure in Rubber, Vinyl & Leather

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For early devotees of leather, rubber, and vinyl fetish wear, Atomage magazine was the underground bible of the 1970s. Founded by English designer John Sutcliffe, it served as a platform for his talents in manufacturing weatherproofs for lady pillion riders and quickly became a rallying point for various clothing scenes. Functioning as both an instruction manual and a mirror, it showcased experimental clothing, including items made by readers, transforming a sexual proclivity into a cult phenomenon. Covering everything from motorbiking and mask-wearing to mudlarking, Atomage explored every conceivable variant of fetish wear. The amateur photographs reflect a golden age of DIY enthusiasm, depicting a suburbia where dressing for pleasure was a necessary escape. The outrageous costumes inspired a new generation of fashion designers, including Vivienne Westwood, with many pieces later acquired by high-end collections. Compiling the most astonishing imagery from all 32 issues of this rare cult magazine, Dressing for Pleasure illustrates Sutcliffe's exceptional designs and captures the fantasies and desires of Atomage followers through their own photography and writings.