Meet MEAT - Things&Ink

Meat is the new collaborative fashion venture of London based designers Alis Pelleschi and Bo Claridge. Specialising in rubber wear, the brand was born out of their belief that the material could transcend fetish-wear clichés. Reflecting the pair’s backgrounds as digital natives, Meat is a brand fully in tune with the internet. Not only in the inspiration they draw from online culture, but also in their adoptions of the internet as a presentation platform in itself. The ideology of Meat is to constantly evolve and reinvent itself with every season.

How did you start MEAT?

Alis Pelleschi: It happened quite organically out of our own desires to wear latex, but no-one was really making latex that suited our own styles. So Bo started making us pieces to go out to clubs in and stylists started requesting pieces. We suddenly realised that we’d found a gap in the market and it started from that. We both have different skills that compliment each other, so we’ve been pretty lucky that we can be as self-contained as we have been. And then along the way we’ve had so many lovely talented people help us achieve the MEAT dream. Neither of us have come from well off backgrounds, so we’ve had to do this on our own, off our own backs and we’re just genuinely really lucky to have talented friends and meatbabes around us!

How long has MEAT been running for?

AP: Three years. (Scary.)

Do you have a background in fashion?

AP: Neither of us studied fashion but we both came from studying Visual Communication. Before that I was shooting fashion editorials and knew the fashion and art world, whereas Bo came from the more art / tattooing world. So I knew what was needed to bring together these ideas and make a fashion brand. We both felt strongly that it wasn’t just about the clothes, we wanted to create this whole world via photography, video, ideas, music, stories and people.

What do you love about working with latex?

AP: Latex as a material is so futuristic to me and so sexy. It’s unlike any other material. There’s a reason why latex as a material gets fetishised, as it is so luxurious and unusual. There is nothing that makes me feel more sexy than slipping on a sexy latex dress. It’s empowering!

Do you guys have any tattoos?

AP: Bo has lots, she’s currently 2/3 way through a big back piece by our friend Stewart OC. I actually have no tattoos. I have up until now quite liked the idea of never having any, as I like being able to transform myself and evolve. However, I have been contemplating a few for a while. So planning to get my first tattoo in the new year.

What made you use Grace Neutral for you latest shoot?

AP: I’ve been fascinated with Grace for a long time… she is this perfect futuristic alien princess. She was actually one of the easiest models I’ve ever had to shoot as she is just so effortlessly beautiful and she’s super nice, so that helps. I really love the idea of a ‘meatbabe’ being anyone and making it your own and we like to use either hot friends or creatives we admire who are bold, full of self confidence and doing their thing. She has really honed in on her craft, it’s inspiring!

Meat clothing can be purchased via their website and they can be found on Facebook and Instagram.

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