These intriguing ‘wigs’, also known as ‘merkins’, date back to the 15th century.
At the time, some women who had public lice opted to shave their pubic hair and cover their intimate area with a merkin. Prostitutes also resorted to the “toupees” to hide the fact they had syphilis and gonorrhea, in an effort to conceal the symptoms.
But now, they are ‘thing’.
Kaimin, a South Korean brand based in New York City, had its models step on the catwalk with triangle-shaped patches of fur on their crotches during NY Fashion Week show earlier this month.
Along with the intriguing ‘wigs’, they donned mohawks, thigh-high boots, and metallic jackets, as part of what the team described as a ‘futuristic punk aesthetic’.
The furry accessories, which came in a variety of shapes, colours, and sizes, were strutted on the catwalk as part of Kaimin’s Spring / Summer collection, titled Oriental Garden. It featured a range of other cutting-edge designs, including a completely see-through dress that wrapped around a model’s face, colorful ensembles made out of shimmery, voluminous fabric, and a plunging bright red jumpsuit.
Kaimin’s spokespeople commented that the collection has a huge central theme of pride in your body and sexuality. “We really wanted to push the futuristic punk aesthetic of this season’s collection, and having matching hair and merkins was perfect.”
For years women have been whipping off their lady gardens, and now we have to rely on hairpieces to put them back on. Is this consumerism gone totally bonkers?
