YouPay’s featured creator for May is Maeve Banks, a content creator, lifestyle dominatrix, and the designer behind Miss Bitch Latex. Maeve was introduced to us in 2024 when she attended one of our New York City photoshoot events and has used the platform ever since. As she prepares to launch her latex brand and graduates from one of the top fashion schools in America, she sat down with us over martinis and oysters to discuss her plans, goals, wishes, and of course, wishlist.
Victoria @ YouPay: Thanks for taking the time to get dinner with us, Maeve! As we get into some snacks, let’s get into some questions about your brand, both as Maeve and as the mastermind behind the soon-to-launch Miss Bitch Latex. What inspired your journey? Why latex?
Maeve Banks: Ooh, okay! Latex rides the line between high fashion and the sexual underbelly of our culture… but in luxury design and mainstream fashion, it often fails to include the community that it glamorizes in marketing but refuses to represent due to stigma. It’s seen as a symbol of status within the domination space and kink community, in part due to price, in part due to fetish. As a designer, it’s not an easy material to work with; it’s strong but fragile. It demands complex care and dedication, both for the wearer and the designer. It’s a labor of love as much as it is an act of rebellion. I wanted to see those who wear latex, purchase latex, and appreciate latex represented in this space, and from that, Miss Bitch was born.
YP: Wow. What an impressive reason to start this project. Your passion for your community paired with the skill your craft requires? Cheers. Let’s toast to it. But after we sip, I have to know, where did this technical skill come from? Is latex a medium you covered in fashion school, or are you self-taught? I can’t even begin to imagine what the process looks like, from conceptualizing the design to constructing the garment.
MB: I’d love to show you. I’ll answer your questions in a moment, but first, is this a good time to announce what we’ve got in the works?
YP: I’m supposed to be interviewing you, Miss Banks! But yes, why don’t you tell the YouPay community what we’ve been planning… and then answer our question?
MB: To celebrate my community and the upcoming launch of my brand, Miss Bitch Latex, I’ve partnered with YouPay to giveaway a custom piece! This will be a bespoke piece tailored to your measurements after a virtual fitting. During your virtual fitting, we’ll discuss the piece, and I’ll begin the process: sketching and designing the project, confirming the final look with you! From there, I’ll begin constructing the garment as YouPay documents it all!
YP: Couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Supporting creators through safe, reliable, and compliant gifting is what we do at YouPay, but we also believe in supporting our creators through building community, online and off. It’s a privilege to have curated the type of brand where you felt empowered as a creator to pitch us on sponsoring a giveaway. But, back to the interview! Where did you learn to work with latex?
MB: I taught myself: the internet, videos, blogs, and countless hours of research informed my process, but trial and error was the best teacher. As latex isn’t forgiving, I had to be with myself as I started this journey. I knew I’d make mistakes, but giving up would be a bigger one than f*cking up a zipper. Studying garment construction and pattern making in school helped me learn, but working with latex is fundamentally different from traditional garment construction. You’ll see what I mean as we document the latex design and construction process.
YP: Is there anything you can’t do? You’re incredible. Now, on to Miss Maeve Banks as a creator: can you tell us a bit about yourself and what inspires you, your content, and your space in the community?
MB: I always feel like that’s a hard one to answer! It’s like writing a bio. High level? In the realm of art, design, and fashion, I look to Schiaparelli, Camp — and note that’s a capital C — and Thierry Mugler. My name comes from Mae West, an actor, screenwriter, and sex symbol. Confident in both her skill and sex appeal, she knew her power on stage and in the writers’ room. As a designer and creator, she inspires me not to limit myself based on the perceptions others may have of my work.
On a less high-brow note? Americana, but in a chic way. I have a mullet, but love red lipstick. I often wear this bedazzled Bass Pro Shop hat that I made while I stream in lingerie.
Similar to the term “Miss Bitch” itself, I like to play with juxtaposition. Big, feminine bows and draping reminiscent of formal wear made with thick latex in my debut collection archive. While they aren’t for sale, I challenged myself and crafted 5 looks, a collar, and a bag to start the Miss Bitch journey. I played a lot with the concept of volume — symbolizing women and those who work in the adult industry taking up space — in creating these garments.
YP: You have the mind of an artist and the skill to match. The thought behind your personal brand and your latex brand, the process of inspiration to creation? You’ve left us speechless, and we’re so excited to see you continue to merge the worlds of fashion and fetishwear. Of course, you know what the final question has to be: can you tell us what you want most on your YouPay wishlist?
MB: I did just update my YouPay to give my fans a way to contribute directly to the Miss Bitch project! I added a wishlist to my profile where you can send me gifts for materials! Think latex, grommets, glue, and supplies like a new Apple Pencil, or a coffee while I work.
