Coachella 2019 bikini trend has women 'wearing' nothing but strips of shimmering duct tape
Every year, Coachella brings energetic performances showcased by some of the best singers, but the event is also known to give an edgy twist to fashion as the revelers come together to show-off unique looks and dazzle the event.
One surprising fashion trend that is sweeping Coachella this year is the metallic duct tape. This bold and adventurous look sees people wearing nothing but metallic duct tape and giving fashion a new meaning. This strategically placed duct tape is used to cover the modesty while ensuring that the look will make anyone look twice.
The look was brought to life by Joel Alvarez, a Miami-based designer and photographer, who has spent nearly a decade to make sure that his collection is better and unlike any seen in the fashion industry.
Joel came up with this idea when a model suggested he use duct tape for a photograph. "In 2008, I was a rookie photographer who was working with a model that suggested I use electrical tape for the last look," read a description on his website, as reported by Daily Mail. "I honestly had no idea why she would want this but to make her happy I attempted to use this tape as a wardrobe." While one would expect Joel to have had success in his first attempt, things did not go the way he had anticipated.
"Essentially, I just wrapped her in black electrical tape! Mind you, she looked like two Christmas hams wrapped in rubber bands when I was done! (I’d never show you these images!)," he noted. "However, it sparked an idea in my head to develop this idea." Ever since then, he let his mind do the work and started practicing his new idea in order to develop something unique and glamorous.
Joel took the help of his model friends and started practicing his designs on them. Slowly and steadily, he was able to see his thought come to life. "That was the moment the designs started to evolve," he writes. "Although primitive with a lot of trial and error, I remember thinking I was definitely onto something," he said. "'I began to notice that the way the lines of tape would compliment the figure was unlike any wardrobe or fashion out there." Joel initially used the help of Hooters waitresses wearing these tapes for his portfolio in order to show people what duct tape could do.
He later started selling his work to nightclubs and, before he knew it, he had a chance to showcase them on the runway. What started as an Instagram picture and video soon became a way for Joel to attract fans and business. Now, Joel gets several messages every day where he is asked to come for music festivals or events to showcase his talent. Joel even sells the duct tape on his website which sells for $50 (£38) per roll. Fans also have the option of booking a personal taping session and photo shoot with Joel, which costs up to £765.
Joel also offers seminars in which he teaches how to use duct tape to create outfits. The seminar costs up to £575. Joel has even showcased his outfits at the Miami Swim Week and LA Fashion Week.
Last year, Coachella saw the trend of glitter boobs in which women turned up topless and used glitter paint and jewels to cover their modesty. Looks like this is the year of duct tape.