Fetish art (although the word "fetish" was not used in those days as that term came into fashion in a non-clinical way in the 1970s) was about testing the boundaries of freedom. Some of it had to do with unconventional sexual expression ... but more of it had to do with fashion because of how identity and gender are connected to what we wear.
Charles Guyette was a sexual fantasist, who earned his living as a costumer. He sold photos of his "costume studies" on the sly. He produced custom-made high-heel boots and shoes, sold corsets, opera gloves, and other eccentric accessories. He understood the transformative power of clothing, particularly "bizarre" and theatrical fashion. He is also referenced in the new film on Wonder Woman's creator, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women, as the costumer for Wonder Woman's real life inspiration, Olive Byrne.
If you've been following along, you know that Charles Guyette crossed over to Robert Harrison's magazines along with unsung fetish art player/enabler Edythe Farrell, who resigned from her position as editor-in-chief of the National Police Gazette in June, 1944.
Farrell was instrumental in carrying over fetish-oriented content, both inspired and underscored by Charles Guyette, who also contributed to the National Police Gazette.
But what of Guyette's contributions to Harrison's magazines? Let's peek inside Beauty Parade, Jan. 1945:
Guyette signifiers are the shoes, stockings, and the upholstered padded footrest the lady is sitting on, the same upholstered footstool that can be seen in pages 13, 22, 26, 30, 73 and 160 of the printed Charles Guyette tribute. Here's that footstool again (below):
Not only do we see the footstool in this case, but we also see the embossed faux-tile patterned linoleum floor that appeared in many Guyette photos—for instance pages 28, 30, 38, 42, 48, 50, 74, 85, 87, 89, and 123 of the printed Charles Guyette book. Here's a closer look (below):
See that patterned floor? Very important, as it stands for Guyette's signature. Now, let's look at more Guyette images, these appearing in Wink magazine, April 1947.
Here we see not only Guyette ultra-high heel shoes, but another signifier—the same costume jewelry, which appeared time and again in Guyette images. (See pages 5 – 11, 51, 52, 80, 81, 159 of the printed Guyette book.)
Now let's look at another signifier—that famed corset later worn by Irving Klaw model, Rita Carlson:
And, let's not forget, Bettie Page:
Now here's that corset on a Harrison model (Beauty Parade, Aug. 1946):
While we're at it, let's look at some Guyette boots and Guyette images (appearing in Harrison's magazine, Flirt, Oct.1948).
In the same issue, Guyette even provided Harrison with an image (below, right) that originally appeared in the UK, fetish-friendly magazine, London Life.
More boots, courtesy of Charles Guyette (Beauty Parade, Dec. 1947):
More boots and Guyette costuming:
And still MORE boots and Guyette costuming (Beauty Parade, Aug. 1946):
Charles Guyette was particularly fond of earlier burlesque styles. He had a love for what might be called burlesque nostalgia. Even in the 1940s, his costuming style leaned toward the “quaint,” or old-fashioned. He loved vintage corsets and was always referencing the past. In a 1945 classified ad in Hobbies: The Magazine for Collectors, he wrote, "OLD STYLE Corsets wanted. Wasp waist Hour Glass or styles before 1915. Any Size...." A similar ad appeared in a 1947 issue of that same magazine.
Now here are some dazzling examples of Guyette costuming, which appeared in Harrison magazines:
Above, Beauty Parade, Dec. 1946.
Above, Wink magazine, Fall, 1945.
Charles Guyette, the "G-string King," was an individual unlike any other.
I hope you'll join me in promoting American diversity, spreading the history of a unique culture, and celebrating the life of an unsung hero.
____________
** Charles Guyette: Godfather of American Fetish Art
Charles Guyette was a sexual fantasist, who earned his living as a costumer.
He sold photos of his "costume studies" on the sly. He produced
custom-made high-heel boots and shoes, sold corsets, opera gloves, and
other eccentric accessories. He understood the transformative power of
clothing, particularly "bizarre" and theatrical fashion. He is also
referenced in the new film on Wonder Woman's creator, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women, as the costumer for Wonder Woman's real life inspiration, Olive Byrne.
Peek inside the Charles Guyette tribute
with Dita Von Teese:
==>> HERE <<==
Reviews:
"If you're at all a fan of fetish art ... then this book will be right up your alley." —kinkweekly.com
"I've often cited John Willie's gals as my biggest fashion inspiration but I'll have to start tipping my hat to Guyette as well."—Dita Von Teese
** Make it yours today! **
(click link below)
>> US <<
>> UK <<
>> Deutschland <<
>> France <<
>> Italia <<
>> España <<
_________________________
Charles Guyette, the "G-string King," referenced in the film of Wonder Woman's creator, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women, and costumer to Bettie Page, is rightly considered the godfather of American fetish art. His fetish art operation was the first of its kind in America, dealing in what was then generally regarded as “deviant” European-inspired material. In 1935, he was arrested and sent to federal prison. But what should’ve been the end was just the beginning. Although rarely credited by name in his lifetime, he influenced everyone who would follow him, particularly the publishers Robert Harrison, John Willie, Irving Klaw, and Leonard Burtman. The aim of this book was to evoke the spirit of Guyette—to collect surviving fragments of a decimated catalog largely by referencing vintage fetish publications from the 1930s through the 1980s and reconstruct a lost history. This portfolio of images is followed by biographical information seen nowhere else, and serves as a substantial introduction to the birth of American fetish art and the cultural impact of an unrecognized pioneer.
* * * * * *
* * * * * *
Publications referenced in composing this tribute include:
Bizarre Life v.4, n.6, 1980.
Black Lace v.1, n.1, undated (c. 1958).
Catalog C-2, 1957.
Fetishist n.1, undated (c. 1985).
London Life, March 22 1935.
Bizarre Classix v.4, 1980.
Exotique Correspondence Digest n.1, 1958.
Bizarre Classix v.3, 1978.
Bizarre Classix v.5, 1983.
London Life, April 8 1939.
Exotique n.13, undated (c. 1957).
Fantastique Photo Album n. 2, undated (c. 1960).
Exotique n.1, undated (c. 1955).
Exotique n.10, undated (c. 1956).
Bizarre n.9, 1952.
Bizarre n.6, 1951.
Exotique n.12, undated (c. 1957).
Exotique n.8, undated (c. 1956).
Exotique n.16, 1957.
Exotique Photo Album n.1, undated (c. 1957).
Painful Memories v.1, n.1, undated (c. 1981).
Gay Book magazine, Dec. 1937.
Gay Book magazine, May 1938.
Wink magazine, Jan. 1949.
Gay Book magazine, Aug. 1937.
Gay Book magazine, Sept. 1937.
Fetish Letters v.1, n.1, undated (c. 1985).
Exotique n.34, 1959.
Erotic Symbolism by Edw. Podolsky, 1960.
Bizarre Classix v.1, 1976.
Portrait of Evil F-6, undated (c. 1962).
Wink magazine, April 1947.
Bizarre Classix v.2, 1977.
Exotique Correspondence Digest n.1, 1958.
New Exotique Photo Album n.9, 1959.
Exotique Correspondence Digest n.1, 1958.
Flirt magazine, March 1948.
Bizarre Classix v.2, 1977.
Gay Book magazine, Feb. 1937.
Wink magazine, Dec. 1947.
Exotique n.4, undated (c. 1956).
Bizarre Life v.1, n.1, 1966.
Thanks for checking in. Hope you'll join me next time....
Cheers. —Richard Pérez Seves
+
NEW RELEASE!
> Available Now! <
Bondage Enthusiasts Bound in Leather [*Expanded Edition*]
Also Available Now (Worldwide)!
Sweeter Gwen, The Return of Gwendoline
by Eric Stanton
>> Learn More <<
* * * * * * *
NEW RELEASE!
> Available Now! <
Bondage Enthusiasts Bound in Leather [*Expanded Edition*]
=================================
Also Available Now (Worldwide)!
Sweeter Gwen, The Return of Gwendoline
by Eric Stanton
>> Learn More <<
* * * * * *
Thanks for checking in. Hope you'll join me next time....
Cheers. —Richard Pérez Seves
=> Index ~ of FetHistory ~ From the Beginning:
http://fethistory.blogspot.com/p/1.html_________________________
* * * * * * *
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