Skin Two Halloween Ball Saturday 29th October 2011

At a super new venue in Bedfordshire, just North of London, easy to reach from across the UK, with three hotels very nearby. Six acres of private grounds, full dungeon, dance space, huge marquee with main stage, indoor pool, etc, etc… Read more

Meet Mistress Rebekka Raynor – at two Skin Two events

Star of the last Skin Two Rubber Ball was our Dungeon Mistress, one of London’s elite dominatrixes, top event hostess and superior fetish model (see Skin Two magazine issue 61, pages 19 to 24) Mistress Rebekka Raynor.  Read more

Marquis Magazine – in English, French & German

 Marquis is the glossy German fetish magazine – now available in the English or French or German language.

The new issue 52 is available now, featuring Sister Sinister from Sweden on the cover and Monique Charriére inside, with fashion from Naucler Design and RuBear from Russia

You can order Marquis (and click on the preview link to see inside the issue) here

Collars, a question of faith? Opinion piece by Cynth Icorn

Over the past few years, outward displays of faith have been a hot topic, but now the debate has taken a route which makes it more relevant than ever to fetishists. A midwife in Bedford has been dismissed from work for wearing an emblem of her beliefs, her silver slave collar. (See Article) She has taken the matter to the courts because she believes that this is a discriminatory act. North and East Herts Health Authority refuted this claim, stating that the issue was purely a matter of health and safety. The midwife then stood her ground, referring to the allowances made for others to wear symbols of more traditional belief e.g crucifix necklaces.

The slave collar is a symbol of submission and commitment within a consensual Dominant/ submissive relationship. The exact way in which a D/s relationship works may differ from couple to couple, but can involve rules and codes of behaviour and will always involve a power exchange to different degrees.

The core of the issue is based around whether the law feels it safe to recognise consensual slavery and the Dominant/submissive lifestyle in court. This, as all fetishists know, would be a huge step away from the discrimination put upon fetishists continually considering instances such as The Spanner Case and The Extreme Pornography Legislation. Fetishism is continually promoted as an aesthetic in music videos, runway collections and photo shoots but, as soon as it is more than just dress up and titillation, the tide turns and fetishists are seen in an extremely negative light -with the eyes of a voyeur at a freak show.

There is a continuing battle within society between the allure of fetish and moral disgust. Because of this, we are cowed by vague laws which, if they apply to our activities could lead to heavy sentencing as well as professional and social exile. So many fetishists must be careful to hide their lifestyle from outsiders because of such fears. One famous example is the model Bianca Beauchamp. When she started out she was also a primary school teacher – the school found her modelling site and she was told to choose between fetish modelling or teaching. I am sure we all know this is not a rare occurrence and most likely can name people we know who have been in similar situations. Surely we are a society of stable enough minds to understand that, just because a person is of a certain persuasion – be it a religious, sexual or lifestyle based – they are not necessarily a threat to others. Beliefs are not contagious; with open mindedness, education and confidence in oneself people are able to understand each other’s beliefs without feeling the need to surrender to them.

Of course, within this case there is the fear of condoning dysfunctional behaviour which may be oppressive and possibly harmful. I understand that it can be hard to convey to those outside the lifestyle that D/s can be natural for certain people and that, if these people are forced to function in a ‘normal’ relationship, this may be more damaging than allowing them to act in the way which feels right to them.

A comprehensive explanation of D/s relationships and fetishistic lifestyles would be needed to aid the courts and the general populous in understanding that, although these dynamics may appear strange and even unsettling, they are entirely harmless if done safely and consensually. But I feel they must be shown the existence of fetishism outside of sex for many people, demonstrating the importance of fetish as far more than simply a primal sexual urge – being at times a way of loving, living and experiencing.

Consider someone who enjoys pleasing others, or one who feels comfortable giving direction. These are not character faults, unless taken to the extreme. Within D/s relationships, these people balance each other and are enabled to work harmoniously together as a unit. Also think of tribal rituals which have long used pain, sensory deprivation and other tests of will power to enhance or enlighten the participants, whether as a form of teaching or as a way of experiencing something greater. A fetishist is not unlike these devotees, opening themselves to a fuller spectrum of feeling encompassing controlled experiences of pain, fear and vulnerability. Pushing themselves psychologically to mindsets alien to the most of society, not unlike monks, shamans and pychonaughts. If these people can be considered sane and safe, then surely it is the assumed deviant and sexual edge always associated with fetishists which causes our dilemma and, if this is removed, the way can be cleared for fetishistic freedom.

Cynth Icorn

Martin R Class: Fetish & Bondage Photography

We have been fans of Martin Rafael Class for a while now and his book Obsession is a collectors’ item for lovers of vintage style black-and-white erotic bondage photography.  Read more

Salon Fetish – a New London Play Party

Salon Fetish was recently launched at the newly refurbished Blue Angel venue in South West London.

Salon Fetish is a BDSM play party on the last Friday of every month from 10pm – 3am. They have a full range of play equipment, including a bondage wheel, cages, spanking benches, beds and St Andrew’s crosses.

Dress code is strictly fetish: rubber/latex, leather, uniforms, medical, role play, corsets, high heels, masks, PVC, goth and so on.

Info at www.thefclub.com/events/salonfetish
Tel: 07778 758888 Email: info@blueangelcocktailbar.com

Richmond BDSM group was at the launch night – you should join if you’re local to Richmond, see www.richmondbdsm.org

Photos by Tim Woodward and Joanna

Ectomorph – Leaders in Latex Fashion

Ectomorph is a leading fetish fashion company, established in London in 1985 by designer Krystina, fresh out of the Royal College of Art, where her thesis focussed on the connection between sexuality and fashion.
Read more

Fetish Kit Bags

You’re dressed to the nines for a fetish club, but have nothing to match, carry your kit? This is no longer a problem as Freak Clubwear have designed a new fetish kit bag, perfect for storing and transporting your fetish toys.

The bags are made by Freak Clubwear in the UK, enabling them to be made to measure for your specific kit – and even in a range of colours and fabrics. The bags feature pockets, slots, and ties to hold all your different items neatly in place. They roll up and have sturdy straps, making them easy to carry and store. The bags can be laid out at home or clubs to keep all your kit to hand, or they can be hung up. No more rummaging for your clamps or tangled up flogger tails!

This is only one item in the new storage range by Freak Clubwear. The range also includes sturdy leather cases for all size pinwheels – no more stabbing yourself when looking for it in your bag. If you already have a kit bag you may find the new flogger bags useful. The bags are designed to store individual floggers – a great way to stop the tails getting tangled in the rest of your gear!

Vicky of Freak Clubwear says “From visiting clubs with our own kit, and watching others at the events we felt there was a real need to help get fetish equipment organised! Many people spend a lot of money on beautiful floggers, for them to then get tangled together in a rucksack. We also understand the frustration of losing nipple clamps somewhere in the kit bag we were previously using. So we decided it was time to design something to keep all items easily to hand, so no more time would be lost sorting out the kit during a scene.”

Freak Clubwear have been designing fetish equipment, clothing and accessories since 2003. Many of their creations are crafted exclusively by them, enabling them to maintain quality and originality.

To view the range visit www.freakclubwear.co.ukstore and click to view the fetish equipment section.

Skin Two at Arousal – Saturday Sept 24th, Dunstable UK

We’ve been to Arousal, the friendly alternative sex club, a few times and we always have a great time. The venue is famous for their swinger nights, and it’s perfect for BDSM/fetish too, with dungeon equipment, a dance area and lots of dark corners to get naughty in. So we’re having a party there on September 24th, with entertainment, dominatrixes, DJ and more.
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Oz KinkFest 2011

Oz KinkFest is Australia’s premier fetish festival. This year’s event opens on 16th September through till the 24th. The programme of events kicks off with Hellfire Resurrection on Friday 16th, at the Royal Melbourne Hotel, from 9:30 pm. Meet Australia’s top performers, play in the old jail cells and socialise in the chillout bar. Read more

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