Choose a point of attention
Red can lead the eye through a scene. In a corset it may become a central panel; in a two-piece look it may be a small, concentrated accent. Black gives the colour a boundary and makes the silhouette easier to read.
The balance changes the mood. A largely black costume with a red accent feels different from a red outfit traced with black straps. Neither needs more decoration to make a clear statement.
Texture is another kind of contrast
Gloss and grain catch light differently. Placing them in the same composition lets a photograph show more than colour alone. The lacing on a black dress can become its focal point when the rest of the scene stays restrained.
Try a front view, a three-quarter pose and a back detail. Think of the photographs as a short sequence: introduction, character, discovery.
Return the costume to rest
After the photograph, remove the costume gently and inspect the contact areas. A beautiful shoot is complete when both costume and body are ready for their next appearance. Read the Leather Lab’s colour-transfer and storage guides before leaving a dark outfit on prolonged display.