Bettie Fatal: Persephone
When I'm looking at a new designer, I'm not only trying to get sense of their design aesthetic, I'm also searching for their point of view, for that intangible, abstract quality that lets me know if they're thinking of lingerie in a way that's unique, unusual, or provocative. Sometimes it's a distinct pattern or usage of lace giving that extra insight. Sometimes it's a choice of model or setting for their lookbook. And sometimes it's an explicit manifesto or mission statement. Whatever the specific thing, what they all in common is an added quality that makes me sit up and take notice.
I've had my eye on Bettie Fatal for a few months now. While their first few collections are still a bit rough around the edges (a completely normal thing for a new label), I'm intrigued at their perspective, and especially the overt positioning of their lingerie as something that should be accessible to lots of different people.
Though I do see a few design tropes that I believe are a bit overused right now (including those ever-present strappy details) I'm also catching glimpses of a slightly rougher, counterculture aesthetic. I hate to use the phrase "girl gang" here, but it feels like it fits. I'd like to see the brand push further in that direction and incorporate more potentially subversive elements. Many of the best concepts come from new designers (especially before they've settled into a particular look), and I'm very interested in observing how Bettie Fatal develops in the next year or two.
In addition to Persephone, Bettie Fatal also produces a complementary Hades collection in all black and a collection of basics called Veisso.
What are your thoughts on Bettie Fatal? And how likely are you to try new, indie lingerie designers?
