To understand how latex became a mainstream apparel choice and even a status symbol, we could go all the way back to the origins of rubber. However, we’ll jump ahead a bit and discuss the Mackintosh raincoat, which played a significant role in this evolution. In 1824, Mackintosh rubberized coats were first introduced and gained popularity in Europe.

Almost a century later, in 1924, a group of enthusiasts formed The Mackintosh Society, appreciating not only the functional aspects of these rubber garments but also their tactile appeal.

In 1928, history took a momentous turn when Katherine Hepburn visited England and was introduced to The Mackintosh Society by a friend. She publicly fell in love with their raincoats, praising their functionality and more.

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This series is foundational in my exploration of masks as a form of self expression with the obvious tension that they also hold back part of traditional identity. This alternative history explores the idea of how a sustained fashion movement, that encompasses this concept of identity, could be born out of the choices of a handful of people and the subsequent amplification that existed in the 1940s semi-monopolistic press and film era.

Midjourney v5.2 with digital edits