Holy corset, Batgirl! Fetish model and apparent masochist Kelly Lee Dekay has perhaps one of the tiniest waists I've ever seen on a human being. And that's really saying something. As a Latina, I grew up watching Thalia flaunt her practically ribless torso across the stage and small screen. But I have to admit, this chica's tiny waist makes Thalia's look almost normal. That's because, despite having some Kardashian-esque curves, the 27-year-old's waist is only 16 inches, all around. How is that even possible? Well, unlike Thalia and other celebs whom shall not be named, Dekay totally cops to the fact that her whittled middle isn't natural–not in the least. No, she just did it the really, really, reeeeeally ol' fashioned way.
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Obsessed with the way fabric and thread "can just easily manipulate the body to do such an extreme silhouette", the former tomboy began tight-lacing her middle seven (almost eight) years ago. But don't get it twisted. Dekay says tight-lacing, for her, isn't about getting Barbie-like proportions. On the contrary, she tells the Daily Mail she's modelled her exaggerated physique after the super fierce, ultra-feminine super villains portrayed in some of her favorite childhood comic books. "Growing up, I just loved the exaggeration of styles and the beautiful costumes that comic book characters would wear and that lead to the aesthetic that led to tight-lacing," explains Dekay.
So what exactly is tight-lacing? Well, Dekay will tell you what it isn't. It isn't waist-training, a practice she believes is rooted in vanity. For Dekay, tight-lacing is about sex and art. "My reasoning behind tight-lacing has to do with its background in Fetish culture, the level of discipline required. I'm a corset fetishist," she tells Cosmopolitan.com. "My tight-lacing goes beyond vanity. I love the artistry in the construction of the corset and the people who are part of that culture."
What she doesn't love, however, are people who assume she's doing all of this for male attention. A self-described "feminist, LGBTQ Activist, lover and fighter," Dekay insists she wears her steal-boned corset for herself, and she really doesn't care about what anyone has to say about it. "I started tight-lacing for me. I enjoy it. I wear my personality on the outside. But is it for everyone? No, absolutely not. But it's my body and my decision," she expalains. "That's feminist. My body, my choice."
You know what, she's right. It's her body, and so she has the right to do with it what she pleases. However, her choice isn't without its restrictions. At only 27-years-old, Dekay can hardly climb stairs or lift heavy objects without difficulty. Besides, I'm no expert, but I'm sure her organs must be in disarray. Thank goodness she says 16 inches is the smallest she's willing to go, so far. Phew! That's good, because I'm pretty sure she'd snap in half if she went any smaller. But that said, the chica says she's happy and healthy, and that's all that matters. Personally, I wouldn't subject myself to tight-lacing. I like being able to bend and climb stuff. But that's me. If Dekay's corset makes her feel like a superhero, then more props to the girl. I just wish her a happy and healthy life, free of restrictions.
Images via Kelly Lee Dekay/Facebook
