GnatMadrid

GNAT, by Gnat Rosa Madrid, provides the babes of the world with glittering femme-centric fetish and bondage gear. Made for queer femmes by queer femmes, GNAT gear will decorate your gorgeous, bodacious body so that you can harness your sexuality. GNAT promotes safe, exciting, and consensual sex, BDSM, body positivity, gender fluidity, trans liberation, and femme4femme love. GNAT gear is about helping queer folks feel in control and empowered by their own sexuality. GNAT wants babes wrapped in her harnesses to experience themselves in a new, heightened way so that they may tap into their desires and their erotic sense of self. 

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I am a Point Scholar, designer member of the CFDA, SAIC's The Walk Fellowship recipient, and Critical Fierceness Grant Recipient. I live and work in Chicago, IL.

 

I studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and completed my BFA in 2013.  During my time at SAIC, I fully engaged in multiple artistic practices that enabled me to infuse my collections with a variety of techniques and theoretical content.  Printmaking, laser cutting and digital fabrication, screen printing, accessory design, painting, sculpture and clothing construction all culminate in the GNAT Universe- and the clothing and accessories that are produced to contain every bit of my obsession with chaotic art-making and sensitive application.  Sexuality and kinkiness fuse with vibrant candy + toy plastic playthings to become the multi-dimensional bags, hats, and harnesses for those hyper-individual, diverse, beautiful queer bodies!

 

In 2012, I began a small business endeavor: selling glittery vinyl and plastic bondage gear.  I remained dedicated to this practice throughout my time in college, and my self-established label “GNAT” is a growing success.  I sellcuffs, collars, leashes, harnesses, and strap-on harnesses. This practice led me to Paris, in the summer of 2012, where I interned for Bernhard Willhelm.  I learned a lot while working with Bernhard, and he and I engaged in collaborations with bags and purses.  I also had the pleasure of working briefly with Walter Van Bierendonck in the Spring of 2013, and he encouraged a laser-cut headpiece that was photographed with aid from the Antwerp 5.  Through this contact with kindred designers, I was further encouraged  to continue to expand upon my accessory and print collections. 

 

I currently work out of a studio in Chicago, IL. My harnesses and fashion pieces are available online, as well as in boutiques in Chicago and NYC, and many more shops will be able to stock my collection once GNAT wholesale is ready for small businesses. I only stock at queer and/or femme owned-and-operated shops that promote body positivity and safe, exciting, consensual sex. I am a part of the queer Chicago nightlife scene, and host several parties including LQQKS, Femme's Room, FKA, Soft Leather, IT Presents, and DURO. DURO is a queer Latinx dance party in collaboration with dj [X]P. DURO occurs every 2nd Wednesday at Berlin Nightclub. As a host, I help select QPOC performers, supply the crowd with lots of mini conchas y dulces, and twirl in my own designs. I am available to host or style your next party.