Festival fashion can be a bit of an odd one, with many people tending to favour more, erm, extreme styles to try and stand out from the crowd.
For most people, this might mean an attention-stealing fancy dress outfit or some dazzling, disco-tastic combination of glitter, jewels and lycra. However, as you know, limits are there to be pushed. And how might you push those limits on the saturated festival scene, you might ask? Why, with electrical tape, of course.
A group of models were spotted showing off some new designs at Ultra Festival in Miami, where they were no doubt turning a few shocked heads. The outfits are the brainchild of alternative swimwear and fashion designer Joel Alvarez, who often uses body tape for his unusual fashions for his company, The Black Tape Project.
On the company’s website, Alvarez explains where the idea stemmed from, writing: “One day in 2008 I was a rookie pH๏τographer who was working with a model that suggested I use electrical tape [on] her for the last look.
“I honestly had no idea why she would want this but to make her happy I attempted to use this tape as wardrobe. Essentially I just wrapped her in black electrical tape!”
He continued: “It sparked an idea in my head to develop this idea. In the following weeks I asked a few models that I had worked with in the past to let me practice on them. That was the moment the designs started to evolve!
“Although primitive with a lot of trial and error, I remember thinking I was definitely on to something. I began to notice that the way the lines of tape would complement the figure was unlike any wardrobe or fashion out there.”
Videos and images of the models at Ultra Festival wearing Alvarez’s designs have faced a mixed reaction.
Some social media users have been instantly sold on the look, with one person commenting: “I need this for Coachella!”
Someone else said: “So gorgeous. Would love to do this for a fest sometime.”
Commenting with several heart-eye emojis, a third added: “So wanna do this.”
But others have worried about the practicality of sticking duct tape all over your body – and your bits.
One person wrote: “It’s all fun and games until one of them has to pee.”
Another shared the same concern, saying: “So how does she pee?” Someone else pointed out: “Hope you like weird tan lines.” Hmmm, that’s a good point. Each to their own though, eh?