Drakhan Blackhart, a designer based in Miami, set the standard for risque runway shows by daring his models to literally bare everything. The controversial designer does not dress his models in ornate jewellery or fancy fabric. Swimsuits that raise the temperature are all that stand out in the exhibits. They are not your typical swimsuits that show skin. Even though the swimsuit is entirely made of tape, calling it merely “skin-baring” is an understatement.

Swimsuits made of tape Tapes are carefully applied to the body to create the desired bikini look. It is known as the Black Tape Project by the designer. The swimsuit only uses tape to cover the private parts, and additional tapes are added to give his designs some extra flair. His designs are dramatic, and draping the model in strips of tape can sometimes be seen being done live on the runway.

The designer uses tape to handle any additional design work, while the models cover their private parts with patches. The curves and figures of the models are emphasized by the tape. It is safe to use on the skin, is of special quality, and is of medical grade. This unique kind of tape, which comes in a variety of colours, designs, and patterns, is also sold by Blackhart.

Free and liberating Despite the frowns, the designer, known as “the King of Tape,” views his models as “living, breathing pieces of art” rather than sex objects. Even the models were thrilled to walk for him on the runway, according to a report in the Miami Herald. Flaunting their features without fear of being judged was, in their words, “liberating” and “freeing.” Drakhan Blackhart, formerly Joel Alvarez, was thought to have revolutionized this type of body art. He uses his tapes to visualize designs and strategically applies them to the models’ curves to enhance their beauty.

Blackhart showcases his numerous collaborations over the years on his website. I have been fortunate to collaborate with recording artists like Rick Ross and directors like Michael Bay (Pain and Gain) on a number of Maybach music videos, including Maluma’s “La Luz.” I have also collaborated with Billy Ray Cyrus and a number of the world’s best DJs, including Chukie, Black Coffee, Carl Cox, and others. “Since 2014, I’ve also displayed at EDC Vegas, Ultra Miami, Singapore, and every major Miami nightclub, Ibiza, and Cannes Film Fest,” he stated.

Additionally, he mentions that he was born and raised in Miami and is a first-generation Cuban American. I lived in my car in 2008, struggled to feed myself, lost my phone, and had no money to my name.

After that, he found a small treasure: “I was blessed to find a box hidden in my late grandfather’s closet with over $26,000 in a cigar box neatly packed in envelopes that were dated monthly from January 1968 to December 1972.” I could tell that the bills hadn’t been seen in almost 40 years because they were so old in some places that they didn’t look real.

I began by installing an Innovative roof and paying off my previous Ford Focus. I had a little party and gave money to my friends and family. That amount of money seems like a lot when you’re young, but I quickly realized that 26 thousand dollars wouldn’t last very long in this day and age. I spent the last $1,500 on a camera. I began shooting as much as I could on local bikes and cars for a few hundred dollars. I began working with local Miami models from Model Mayhem, Myspace, and Hooters in my town as I continued to improve my skills over time.

Additionally, he described how he became interested in taping. One day, an out-of-town model hired me for a shoot and asked me to tape her during our final look. She pulled out a roll of tape. I didn’t know where to begin or what she was expecting. Again, I just jumped in and started taping her. Within a few years, I was working three or four nights a week at local Miami clubs, taping six dancers. I learned most of my skills here because I had to work with Swift to create designs that wouldn’t break apart when they danced. Here I am, fifteen years later — a self-taught artist, photographer, and businessman. For nearly two decades, I have been able to turn my ideas and concepts into a business.