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This all is primarily in response to a forum where alt- and fetish work were lumped together and described as being the same or interchangeable.
The first was a simple and quick response but then after a reply, I realized that I wasn't clear enough.
Since i took the time to write it, I figured I might as well keep it in my own blog too although some bits are edited out for clarity.
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i don't associate fetish with alt-modeling at all.
alt-modeling usually denotes work involving alternative fashion and lifestyles which in turn are influenced by a variety of things including the sub-genres of goth, punk, mod, grunge, etc. These sub-cultures of music styles are the primary influential source for the fashion and styling used in alt-modeling.
fetish imagery (even fetish fashion imagery to a certain extent) is meant to trigger a sexual response. it is not about a social movement or reaction to social conditions in the world. Certain items frequently associated as being fetishistic have been used in various forms of media (tv shows, films, music videos) but they did not spring into being because of this use.
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(in response to why my definition might differ from someone in the central US)
I don't know about San Francisco per se, although I'm from the area, I usually spend more time on the road within/out of the US. It's not necessarily the location that allows for the distinction between "alt" and "fetish", but the people one comes into contact with. I would say that in more populated areas where more people actively work in fetish or alt industries (not just models and/or photographers but also designers, writers, educators), then one is more likely to come into contact to those involved with one or the other as well as those that enjoy delving further into knowing about either genre.
There are a ton of new people that have "discovered" alt and fetish imagery in the past few years and quite a few have decided to jump into it. But most don't take an active hand in researching the history of the various sub-divisions of either theme. Some of them even think certain popular recent music stars 'discovered' fetishism and bdsm because of some inability to look beyond more than five or ten years into the past. Most enjoy looking at the highly stylized and fashionable images of made-up and well-fit models but they definitely don't think of Atomage or Justice magazine (which was in publication before Westwood opened her shop). [in response to vivienne westwood being a point where alt- and fetish began as a merged entitiy.]
What I find incredibly frustrating is that most people seem to miss the point entirely, including self-proclaimed fetish photographers and models. It's so easy to label an image fetish because the model is seen wearing a latex or pvc dress when the image is anything far from being an actual turn-on to a fetishist - or anyone for that matter.
For the forum, yes, I understand that they're [fetish and alt-] lumped together and it's easier for most people to discuss them that way because of whatever reason (simplicity, laziness, ignorance, or just because). But this also ends up perpetuating the idea that alt-modeling and fetish-modeling are the same thing and practically interchangeable terms. Many of the people that I know that work in fetish professionally would not think to label themselves as alt-models. I certainly do not and at times I find it insulting to be called an alt-model.
I work in an area that embraces sexuality and allows for individuals to bring their personal kinks to the surface to be displayed openly for all to see. It's about delving internally and bringing forth normally hidden sexual proclivities.
What I think I did not make clear in my initial post is that while alt- work does sometimes include elements generally associated with fetishism or even BDSM, it is still a echo to musical trends of a period of time which are generally influenced by reactionary social/cultural/political upheavals. But sometimes alt- is also simply about going against the norm for the sake of just being different - kind of like that phase one goes through after too many arguments with the parents.
Simply put, "alt-" is based in lifestyle trends. Not that all trends are bad, but few are everlasting no matter how influential they may be. Even I might have claimed myself to be goth at one period of time and my father was into the hippie movement for a while. But to categorize my sexuality as being akin to a fad is disparaging and disrespectful.
The first was a simple and quick response but then after a reply, I realized that I wasn't clear enough.
Since i took the time to write it, I figured I might as well keep it in my own blog too although some bits are edited out for clarity.
-----------------------
i don't associate fetish with alt-modeling at all.
alt-modeling usually denotes work involving alternative fashion and lifestyles which in turn are influenced by a variety of things including the sub-genres of goth, punk, mod, grunge, etc. These sub-cultures of music styles are the primary influential source for the fashion and styling used in alt-modeling.
fetish imagery (even fetish fashion imagery to a certain extent) is meant to trigger a sexual response. it is not about a social movement or reaction to social conditions in the world. Certain items frequently associated as being fetishistic have been used in various forms of media (tv shows, films, music videos) but they did not spring into being because of this use.
------
(in response to why my definition might differ from someone in the central US)
I don't know about San Francisco per se, although I'm from the area, I usually spend more time on the road within/out of the US. It's not necessarily the location that allows for the distinction between "alt" and "fetish", but the people one comes into contact with. I would say that in more populated areas where more people actively work in fetish or alt industries (not just models and/or photographers but also designers, writers, educators), then one is more likely to come into contact to those involved with one or the other as well as those that enjoy delving further into knowing about either genre.
There are a ton of new people that have "discovered" alt and fetish imagery in the past few years and quite a few have decided to jump into it. But most don't take an active hand in researching the history of the various sub-divisions of either theme. Some of them even think certain popular recent music stars 'discovered' fetishism and bdsm because of some inability to look beyond more than five or ten years into the past. Most enjoy looking at the highly stylized and fashionable images of made-up and well-fit models but they definitely don't think of Atomage or Justice magazine (which was in publication before Westwood opened her shop). [in response to vivienne westwood being a point where alt- and fetish began as a merged entitiy.]
What I find incredibly frustrating is that most people seem to miss the point entirely, including self-proclaimed fetish photographers and models. It's so easy to label an image fetish because the model is seen wearing a latex or pvc dress when the image is anything far from being an actual turn-on to a fetishist - or anyone for that matter.
For the forum, yes, I understand that they're [fetish and alt-] lumped together and it's easier for most people to discuss them that way because of whatever reason (simplicity, laziness, ignorance, or just because). But this also ends up perpetuating the idea that alt-modeling and fetish-modeling are the same thing and practically interchangeable terms. Many of the people that I know that work in fetish professionally would not think to label themselves as alt-models. I certainly do not and at times I find it insulting to be called an alt-model.
I work in an area that embraces sexuality and allows for individuals to bring their personal kinks to the surface to be displayed openly for all to see. It's about delving internally and bringing forth normally hidden sexual proclivities.
What I think I did not make clear in my initial post is that while alt- work does sometimes include elements generally associated with fetishism or even BDSM, it is still a echo to musical trends of a period of time which are generally influenced by reactionary social/cultural/political upheavals. But sometimes alt- is also simply about going against the norm for the sake of just being different - kind of like that phase one goes through after too many arguments with the parents.
Simply put, "alt-" is based in lifestyle trends. Not that all trends are bad, but few are everlasting no matter how influential they may be. Even I might have claimed myself to be goth at one period of time and my father was into the hippie movement for a while. But to categorize my sexuality as being akin to a fad is disparaging and disrespectful.
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). Sometimes I'll attempt to put together a show that goes against what's expected. I usually pull inspiration from a variety of sources. 
