Among New Year’s fetish parties is Utopia Fetish Deluxe’s Silvesterzauber 2024, taking place in Zurich on January 1 (photo: Utopia)
Yes, we’ve been scouring the interweb again, this time looking for New Year’s fetish parties — by which we mean fetish parties specifically dedicated to anticipating and/or celebrating the arrival of 2024. To qualify for inclusion in this global round-up, the event has to be either on actual New Year’s Eve, or the night immediately before or immediately after New Year’s Eve. So just for the absolute avoidance of doubt, that means on December 30, December 31 or January 1.
It may not surprise you to learn that, as with this year’s fetish Halloween and Christmas/Winterval events, New Year’s fetish parties seem to be less abundant now than in pre-covid times. Most likely reason for this is a general reduction, post-covid, in the availability of venues for any kind of event — something that tends to result in proportionately even fewer venues available to host fetish events specifically.
To be fair, though, this problem isn’t unique to post-lockdown times. London’s Torture Garden found years ago that having your New Year’s Eve party on the night before New Year’s Eve made it much easier to hold it in a great venue that fetish folk would happily flock to. So TG came up with the concept of the Not New Year’s Eve party, and was able to host its first one at London’s legendary Ministry of Sound, a very attractive partying location where TG still holds its NNYE Balls to this day.
Some other fetish promoters have also adopted the NNYE concept because it means they too can host a much grander party at their venue of choice by holding it a day earlier (or later) than New Year’s Eve itself. (Note: in early December, you may find a few more NYE party dates announced by promoters of monthly events who only publicise their one immediately upcoming party at any given time.
Torture Garden’s Not New Year’s Eve on December 30 will feature a Lady Lucie Latex show (model: Scarlet Bouvier; photo: Ayesha H)
Torture Garden’s traditional Not New Year’s Eve ‘night before’ celebration on December 30 at Ministry of Sound, Elephant & Castle, will feature a Lady Lucie Latex fashion show and other performances tbc. This strict dresscode event will have two dancefloors with regular and guest DJs, a dungeon and couples room. The night will also feature TG’s now-familiar choice of three timed entry slots, with the addition of an Anytime entry ticket at “a little extra cost”.
Nuremberg’s Der Cult club stages Kunst der Macht & Nacht der Sünde on New Year’s Eve, promising orgasmic activity and a buffet
It’s very probable that Berlin’s KitKatClub will host a New Year’s version of its regular Saturday fetish night, Carneball Bizarre, on December 30. But since the famous Berlin venue only announces its schedules one week ahead, we can at best call this an educated guess until much nearer the time.
Thankfully the ‘touring’ version of KitKatClub, with its regular monthly slot at Köln’s Bootshaus club, announces its dates further in advance than its parent brand. Its Pre-Silvester (Pre-New Year’s Eve) party on December 30 will enforce a strict sexual fantasy dresscode, the DJ line-up will include well-known KitKat/Wasteland DJ Clark Kent, and the venue will offer all the usual trimmings — including currywurst and pommes deluxe for those who like to get some sausage inside them at events like this.
Nuremberg’s famous Der Cult club devotes New Year’s Eve to its Kunst der Macht & Nacht der Sünde (Art of Power & Night of Sin) party. The hosts’ mission for December 31 is — and this is a direct translation by Google — “to chase away the old year with a buffet and orgasmic activity”. Who could resist such a combination? There’s a fetish/fantasy/gothic dresscode, although evening wear is also acceptable, apparently.
Zurich’s Utopia Fetish De Luxe hosts Silvesterzauber 2024 (New Year’s Eve Magic 2024) at its regular Floor Club venue in Kloten on the first night of the New Year. The party has a strict dresscode embracing fetish and fantasy themes and the multi-room venue offers a large dancefloor, chillout floor, boudoir, darkroom, play zone and couple’s room (romantically tagged Labyrinth der Lust). Plus, yes, a food corner. At this event, you are the show — so you better polish up your table manners!
Montreal’s Cirque de Boudoir will host Carnavalesque Boudoir Ball 2024 on December 31. Photo by Edgar Delacroix shows a stage performance at Cirque’s last NYE event in 2020
Proudly proclaiming that it “ain’t no luxury event with sky high prices”, the Sin City Not NYE party at Vancouver venue The Vault on December 30 is its “all gender year ender” — a “proper old school kinky warehouse party” for “alternative, kink and queer communities”. And its claim to be the closest thing in Vancouver to the vibe of underground Berlin nightlife, as experienced at KitKatClub and Berghain, is no idle boast, as we know its two DJ hosts have more than a passing familiarity with those establishments. The dresscode is a mix of fetish and “plainclothes”, though the latter is to be regarded as a last resort which won’t give wearers access to the club’s fetish-only areas.
Cirque de Boudoir’s Carnavalesque Boudoir Ball 2024 on New Year’s Eve at Montreal’s Bain Mathieu promises a six-hour-long “ultimate pajama party” where guests must sport their “sexiest and kinkiest lingerie and fetish looks”. Attractions will include performances, gogo dancers, a dungeon and a midnight countdown with host Plastik Patrik. There’s a choice of general or VIP admission, the latter including access to VIP areas and an all-night open bar. Limited VIP tables are also reservable for “2-4 or more” people.
Meanwhile back in Vancouver, Restricted Entertainment — the hosts of Sin City events — follow up their Not NYE party with a December 31 edition of sister event Coffin Club. Previously known both as Madhaus and Sanctuary, Coffin Club will be a “full on dark alternative NYE party” at the Astoria, with many of the same DJs and crossover crowd involved in the previous night’s event.
Double trouble: Rubber Sluts Val Vampyre and Lexus Wicked will perform at Fetish Factory’s NYE Fetish Ball in Pompano Beach (photo: Blind Beast Photography)
The Fetish Factory New Year’s Eve Fetish Ball, one of the fetish scene’s truly legendary NYE events, takes place at Solid Gold Pompano in Pompano Beach on December 31. MC’d by Kayla Bee, there are performances from Rubber Sluts (Val Vampyre and Lexus Wicked), Damien Lenore and Lyra Angels, while the DJ line-up includes NYC’s Xris Smack!. The strictly enforced fetish dresscode excludes the ‘all-black’ option some other US events fall back on to boost attendance. Bondage equipment will be found throughout the venue and especially in the Red Room; there are Friction Dance Stations for couple play, Champagne Rooms for group play, and an elevator to take you up to the stark white chillout Bubble Room.
BLACK FRIDAY is being marked on the Libidex website with discounts up to 30% on latex. This Negatron Catsuit is reduced to £337.46
Libidex is celebrating the arrival of Black Friday with sales both online and at its Liberation store in London’s Covent Garden, plus a special promotion from its Liberation-X division.
For a very limited period from Friday November 24, the Libidex website is holding a sale across virtually the entire site, with discounts of up to 30 percent.
Visiting the site right now will reveal unbeatable deals on all things latex, providing the chance to spoil yourself without having to dig too deep into your pockets.
Libidex offers so much choice that it’s nigh on impossible not to find exactly what you’re looking for! And don’t forget to check our the website’s new Best Sellers category (the focus of last week’s Blog story here) for all your daily rubber essentials and Libidex bestselling designs.
We’ve chosen four latex styles from the vast Libidex range to give you a taste of what’s on offer in the website’s Black Friday sale.
STRAPPY LITTLE NUMBER: Libidex has reduced this Storm Harness top to £149.96 in its Black Friday website sale
For example, our Negatron Catsuit (top picture), adorned as it is in slim contrasting trims from head to toe (shown here in black with vibrant bright pink trim) can only increase its already massive space-girl appeal with its current price reduction to £337.46 (from £449.95).
Or for men, how about the Storm Harness Top? This short-sleeved zipper top — shown above in three different colour combinations — has a front harness connecting six straps to the central O-ring. The straps can be opened with the press studs to access the full front zip. The Black Friday Sale price for this item is just £149.96 (down from £199.95).
BARGAIN!: At just £56.67 in the Libidex Black Friday sale, this Kendall skirt will be pretty much flouncing off the racks on its own
Meanwhile, the ever-popular Kendall Skirt (above), a versatile style that can be ordered in so many different colour combinations and worn in so many different ways, can be yours for the bargain Black Friday price of just £56.67 (down from £80.95).
And for male hood-lovers, the Mr Kitty Hood will have you “feline great” in no time! This full face, cat-styled latex hood features contrast appliqué and back zip fastening. Shown below in black with white trim but available in all our colours, Mr Kitty is currently on sale at £209.96 (down from £279.95). Miaow!
MIAOW! You’ll feel like the cat who got the cream if you pounce on this Mr Kitty hood while it’s just £209.96 in the Black Friday Sale!
Current production time for Black Friday Sale orders on the Libidex website is four to six weeks, but we will do our very best to get your orders to you as soon as we possibly can. Delivery time is additional to production time, and courier delivery is usually a faster option if you are based outside the UK.
SHOPPORTUNITY: the Liberation store in Covent Garden has Black Friday reductions of up to 50% on latex and other fetish items
If you’re in — or can get to — London, our Covent Garden store Liberation has a fantastic Black Friday sale too — with up to 50 percent off! The store, at 49 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9HE is fully stocked with a great range of Libidex's most-loved latex products, and also offers a great variety of BDSM toys, footwear, jewellery and fetish accessories galore. A perfect Christmas shopping destination!
JUST THREE of the numerous Liberation-X items at 40% off if, as a newsletter subscriber, you use the secret code when ordering
Our online adult toys and accessories division, Liberation-X, has a large range of discounted items exclusively available at 40 percent off when you use the secret codes provided to all newsletter subscribers.
In addition, to celebrate Black Friday, everyone who places an order during our Black Friday Promotion (November 21-28) will be entered into a special prize draw. What’s more, each time you place an order during this period, your order number will automatically be entered into the draw, giving you more chances of winning!
Six winners will receive Liberation-X vouchers with prize values as follows: First prize: a £100 voucher; two second prizes of £50 vouchers; and three runners-up prizes of £30 vouchers.
Don’t forget: you must be a newsletter subscriber to receive the secret codes that allow you to order from the Liberation-X 40%-off range. Make sure you “Apply Discount Code” at point of purchase to claim your discount. Happy shopping!
IMPORTANT UPDATES, TUESDAY NOVEMBER 28
The LIBIDEX BLACK FRIDAY 30% OFF ONLINE SALE has now concluded. But…
the LIBERATION-X BLACK FRIDAY SECRET CODE 40%-OFF SALE and VOUCHER PROMOTION has now been extended to November 30!
Libidex Best Sellers currently at 10 percent off include the Parallel Zipper Polo Shirt (£112.46) and Scarlet Swing Dress (£215.96) above
Libidex has just announced some great news for fans of its latex clothing: the Libidex website now features a Best Sellers category!
Says the company: “We know that the vast quantity of designs available on our site can be a little overwhelming when trying to find exactly what you are looking for. To make things a little easier, we have now created a special Best Sellers category for all your favourite items.”
The new category can be found in the website’s main menu and offers the option to view all the label’s best-selling products or to choose either women’s or men’s best sellers. At time of launch, the Libidex Best Sellers selection contains no less than 280 items — more than you’ll find in the complete ranges of many other latex brands!
Furthermore, all items in the Best Sellers category are currently on offer at 10 percent off their normal retail prices! This carefully curated selection, based on the company’s most loved products, includes a great choice of catsuits, hoods, stockings, leggings, socks, lingerie, sleepsacks, tops, dresses, skirts, jackets and more. And if browsing the whole Libidex site, you can easily spot the best-sellers by the 10% Off stickers on their index page images.
Best Sellers detailed below, l-r: Dalia Dungarees (£256.46), Vest Catsuit (£206.96), V-Neck Leotard (£179.96), Champion Robe (£215.96)
For this article, we’ve chosen six items from the Libidex Best Sellers category to give you a little flavour of what’s on offer. Our top picture features one best seller each from the men’s and women’s ranges. On the left is the massively popular Parallel Zipper Polo Shirt at £112.46 (down from £124.95). And on the right, the much coveted Scarlet Swing Dress at £215.96 (down from £239.95).
The men’s Polo offers classic styling with a twist: a short zip replaces that classic fabric polo’s three buttons. Collar and cuffs feature twin trim strips in a contrasting colour that give this style its name. The Scarlet Swing Dress, a take on the classic Red Riding Hood dress, features a large hood, puffed sleeves and a flared skirt. Incidentally, the alternative tight-skirted version of this dress is also in the Best Sellers collection at £206.96 (down from £229.95).
Libidex Dalia Dungarees (£256.46) proving that latex doesn’t always have to be skintight to be very, very sexy
Next in our Libidex Best Sellers selection are Dalia Dungarees at £256.46 (down from £284.95). If you’ve never thought of dungarees as an obvious candidate for latex re-interpretation, then the pictures above might just give you cause to think again! Customers of ours who’ve chosen this outfit know that latex doesn’t always have to be skintight, and that loose-fit latex can still be very sexy — it very much depends on how you wear it!
If you’re a man with some muscles, our best-selling Vest Catsuit (£206.96) could be the perfect way to show them off
However, for men who think tight latex is best whether they’re admiring it on another man or wearing it themselves, our Vest Catsuit at £206.96 (down from £229.95) certainly fits the bill. With its sleeveless, low-neckline top half and a variety of zip options, this catsuit (above) combines simplicity with a guarantee to make the most of any muscles you happen to have — which probably explains why it’s such a popular choice with the boys!
This versatile V-Neck Leotard (£179.96) can be ordered with high or low cut fit over the hips and various different zip options
Versatility is always a useful quality in a latex garment and that’s probably why our V-Neck Leotard at £179.96 (down from £199.95) is such a hit with the ladies. This plunging-neckline variation on our Princess Leotard, with its choice of low or high cut over the hips and zip options including through-crotch back zip, looks great on its own or teamed with other latex pieces. With its long sleeves, it can even be ordered with attached gloves in a choice of five colours.
A champion among our best sellers is this silky Champion Robe Mid (£215.96) made with our thinnest latex. Also shown: Pouch Shorts
Last but by no means least in our little selection from the vast choice of Libidex Best Sellers with 10 percent off is the Champion Robe Mid at £215.96 (down from £239.95). This mid-length version of our men’s robe is made from our thinnest latex to provide a really silky feel, doubled at the collar and cuffs, and finished with a sash that ties at the waist.
The Libidex Rapid Service option is currently available free of charge for a limited time — good news for anyone wanting to order and be sure of receiving Libidex latex garments in time for Christmas. To make use of this offer, you must select the Rapid Service button at the checkout to have your order made and despatched within ten working days.
During the free offer period, your order will be produced at speed without the standard Rapid Service production surcharge. But don’t forget that the total time it takes your order to arrive will also depend on the delivery method you choose. Courier delivery is generally the fastest option, especially for customers based outside the UK.
Man of mystery: director Matthias Von Braun, whose latest short film, Impenetrable, has just been released on YouTube
Matthias Von Braun, the London filmmaker who has won many plaudits for the dark, surrealist, fetish-inspired short films he has created over the past seven years, has just released his latest work, Impenetrable, on YouTube.
Here, we share what we know about the mysterious mister Matthias and also embed his short films from YouTube into this article for you to watch. The embedded films are presented in their release order, starting with 2016’s Decay II and concluding with 2023’s impenetrable. That way, as you scroll down, you can watch them in the order they were made.
Note however that 2022’s Machine has an age restriction on it that makes it only viewable directly on YouTube. So for Machine below, you’ll find just a still from the film, with its direct YouTube link in the caption below it. All the other films should be watchable within this article.
2016 – DECAY II: Early dark surreal short film by Matthias Von Braun features Alice Bizarre, with guest appearance by wriggly worms
But to start our story with the latest release: Impenetrable, starring performance artist/model Lilith Newson and actor/musician/photographer/poet Arthur Griffiths, premiered at Austria’s Fright Nights festival in October, going on to scxreenings in early November at Hanover’s Obscura festival and Hollywood’s Horrorfest before its appearance scheduled for this weekend at Seattle’s Secs Fest.
At a few seconds short of four minutes duration, Impenetrable is the longest of Von Braun’s fetish film shorts so far. Clearly then there’s nothing yet in his oeuvre to worry those with an attention span deficiency. Nevertheless this director packs a great deal of thought-provoking visual and aural impact into these short works — their consistent, distinctive production style distancing his creations substantially from standard fetish fare.
True, his protagonists appear almost exclusively either nude or clothed in latex (the painted-on liquid variety being most favoured). But that’s where any resemblance ends. The films all have eerie instrumental/sound effect soundtracks of the type favoured for horror films, greatly enhancing the tension in the dark visuals.
2018 – DEVOID: Von Braun’s acclaimed film with Monika Blaszczak as a shadowy figure emerging from possibly a symbolic vagina
And it’s not just in the fetishy films of Matthias Von Braun that darkness rules. The director himself has managed to remain cloaked in a considerable degree of mystery throughout his seven-year spree. Although his films are easy enough to find online, the information he shares publicly about himself is extremely limited.
It seems that this is an auteur who really wants his creations to speak for themselves — which they do, most eloquently. His website About page is devoted not to the kind of florid, self-aggrandising claims sometimes mistaken by artists for actual facts, but principally to what other people think of him. Its information comes in two forms: a simple list of some festival highlights where his films have been screened and/or won awards, followed by the reproduction of a glowing in-depth review by Adrian Perez of Von Braun’s most-feted film to date: 2018’s Devoid.
2022 – SWITCH: Eva Cornelisse and Olivier Tafforin discover the joys of shiny black tubing
Devoid, featuring Monika Blaszczak, has been nominated for no less than 23 international film festival awards and won six awards in different categories at festivals in London, Berlin, Madrid and Los Angeles. So it’s perhaps not surprising that Perez describes it as a masterpiece. The review draws comparisons with such notable movies as the Wachowskis’ The Matrix (1999) and its spin-off Animatrix anthology (2003); to Ridley Scott’s Bladerunner (1982); and to the same director’s Prometheus (2012). Which is not bad going for a piece lasting all of three minutes 15 seconds.
It is Von Braun’s website that also gives us a rare glimpse of another side to someone whose professional surname may evoke the WW2 German rocket scientist who pioneered post-war rocket and space technology in the USA!
For Matthias Von Braun is also the presenter of a series of Filmmaking for Artists workshops at London’s prestigious BFI Southbank. The Workshops page of his website currently lists six events scheduled for dates from December 10 this year to May 26 next year.
2022 – MACHINE: Owing to age restriction, watch this “dark surreal nightmare set deep underground in a post-human automated factory where a bio-mechanical android bursts from her artificial (latex) fetal sac” directly on YouTube here
The first two (Dec 10 and Jan 14) are beginners’ workshops exploring the Surrealist art film movement and the fundamentals of filmmaking. These are followed (Jan 28 and Feb 4) by two intermediate-level workshops exploring German Expressionism, camera lenses, settings and lighting.
Next (Feb 25) comes a beginners’ workshop on the French New Wave. Then finally (in his current schedule), Matthias will conduct a two-day advanced filmmaking workshop (May 25 and 26), teaching those with a basic understanding of filmmaking how to use a cinema camera with cine prime lenses and a professional lighting kit to achieve cinematic shots.
Costs of the workshops range from £60 for the first two beginners’ workshops to £140 for the two-day advanced workshop next May. Full details (including booking) of these workshops can be found on the Workshops page of the Matthias Von Braun website.
2023 – IMPENETRABLE: New “terrifying dark surreal exploration of desire” featuring Arthur Griffiths, Lilith Newson, nudity, liquid latex
As long as your outfit meets the fetish dresscode at festive fetish events such as Torture Garden’s XXXmas party on December 2, you can add some traditional seasonal pouches — sorry, touches — too (photo: noone-studio.com)
Halloween celebrations may be barely over, but it’s not too early to start making plans to attend festive fetish events in the final weeks before Christmas!
So we’ve taken a look at the schedules of well-known event organisers across the UK, Europe and USA, to see what festive fetish partying opportunities they’re offering between November 25 and Christmas Eve this year.
What follows is info that event hosts had released by this article’s publication date (November 3). But please bear in mind that, because some promoters are in the habit of not announcing dates more than a month ahead, there may well be a few more December dates added later in November.
By the way, the dresscodes for the events below mostly do not make reference to any specifically Christmas-inspired attire. Generally speaking, if you’re that way inclined and don’t own a latex Santa outfit, we suggest prioritising each promoter’s published fetish dresscode and, if you must, just accessorising with the odd seasonal touch.
Alex and Ravenkin try out the new professional catering-size air fryer at Pedestal, which celebrates its 20th Birthday at Fire London on November 30 (photo: Derek/ClubPedestal.com)
Club Pedestal, the UK’s most popular female dominance night, hosts its 20th Birthday Party at Fire London in Vauxhall on November 30. The party will feature a midnight Femdom Cabaret (details tba) plus all Pedestal’s regular attractions such as its large team of house slaves; massive play space with more than 15 items of equipment; Goddess Room; and Best Dressed Submissive competition.
As reliably as ever, Torture Garden is again hosting two festive fetish events in December this year — one at each of its two regular London venues. TG XXXmas takes place on December 2 at Electrowerkz, Islington, while TG Winter Wonderland will be staged on December 9 at Scala, Kings Cross.
With Lolo Brow MC-ing both nights, Andromeda Circus will be performing at both nights, debuting their brand new Clay installation at Electrowerkz and featuring their Bird of Paradise aerial performance at Scala. Other performers will include, on Dec 2, Dairy King, “the man of your creams who brings his milk(shake) to the yard”; and on Dec 9, Berlin's infamous dark sideshow artist Enjo Flint, making his TG London debut.
Both events will have three different arrival slots (with penalties for arriving outside your booked slot) and both venues require physical (ie not digital) photo ID to gain entry.
AntiChrist returns to Fire London, Vauxhall, with the closest party date to actual Christmas Day that any of our featured events have managed this year. Tagged Feast of Poseidon: A Solstice Celebration, the event is intended to evoke images of fire, swords, erotic cakes and pagan costumes among other things of a Saturnalian nature.
Fire’s various spaces will be allocated along the same lines as September’s AntiChrist, with four dancefloors, chillout garden, dungeon, dark playroom and Theatre of Sin with music and shows (details tba).
Market forces: exhibitor Kraken Counter Couture at Birmingham Bizarre Bazaar, which holds its Kinkmas edition on December 17
In addition to the parties mentioned above, three UK fetish markets will be staging pre-Christmas editions that provide opportunities to acquire last-minute outfits and accessories for this year’s festive fetish events and/or seasonal gifts of a generally kinky character. All three take place on Sunday afternoons and two of them are followed by evening after-parties at the same venues.
November 26 sees Le Boutique Bazaar’s legendary XXXmas event taking place in its usual Sunday afternoon slot at For Your Eyes Only, near London’s Old Street Station. This event is currently notable for its unmatched selection of designer harnesswear, but its exhibitors also offer couture latex, custom corsetry, elaborate headdresses, tempting lingerie, luxury leather goods, exotic jewellery, sexy toys, erotic art and more.
December 3 will be the last event in 2023 for LAM (London Alternative Market) at Revolution London in Leadenhall, City of London. Details of December exhibitors were not available at publication time, but the event is likely to offer the usual wide range of BDSM toy/accessory exhibitors along with a handful of clothing designers. As usual the market is followed by the LAM After Party at 7pm.
December 17 sees Birmingham Bizarre Bazaar hosting its Kinkmas market at the Nightingale Club in Digbeth. As well as 50-plus exhibitors, this edition of BBB includes a latex munch and features two stage shows: Whipboxing with DK & The UK Kruel Leather Family, and a Best Dressed competition. Both shows will also feature burlesque performances by Ripper Moff. The BBB After Party follows at 6pm.
That’s our girl! Libidex’s very own Marnie Scarlet performing at Wasteland, which hosts its big seasonal gathering Le Grand Noir at Northsea Venue outside Amsterdam on November 25 (photo: Heinrich v Schimmer)
Amsterdam: Wasteland holds Le Grand Noir, its big seasonal event, at Northsea Venue, Hemkade, outside Amsterdam, on Nov 25. This party is renowned for its great stage shows, although no details had been announced at publication time, other than that it is “20s/30s inspired”. We can, however, confirm that the usual all-night shuttle bus will run between the venue and Amsterdam Central.
Paris: Nuit Élastique No 233 takes place on Nov 25 at a new 9th Arrondissement venue Club Provence. With its 12 spaces ranging from the large main room to small intimate cells, and from darkroom to backroom, it promises partygoers “real fetish/BDSM encounters, a simple and relaxed atmosphere, perfect security and hygiene”. There’s also a buffet!
Dublin: Nimhneach, Ireland’s only fetish night (as far as we know), convenes on Dec 2 at The Sound House for its monthly gathering. No details of any festive elements were available at publication time; tickets go on sale two weeks in advance.
Swiss role: Promotional image for Utopia Fetish Deluxe’s Temple of Medusa party at Zurich’s Club Medusa on December 16
Nuremberg: Die Macht der Nacht (The Power of the Night) on Dec 16 is primarily a fetish dance party “in a sinfully lustful atmosphere”. Hosted by the city’s Der Cult nightclub, it offers space for fetishists of all kinds, crossdressers, gays, trans people, leather, patent and latex lovers and “sexy happy people of all stripes and preferences”.
Stockholm: A legend among festive fetish events, Dekadance’s Fuck X-Mas party on Dec 16 is, sadly, already sold out. But we’re mentioning it in case you thought we’d overlooked it. Could they perhaps find a bigger venue for the next one?
Zurich: Utopia Fetish Deluxe’s Temple of Medusa party takes place on Dec 16 at Club Medusa, which offers two dance floors, various themed rooms, plus Darkroom, Playzone, Crosses and Cages. And don’t forget, say the organisers: if you go to this party, “you are the show”!
Amsterdam: Boudoir Bizarre, which styles itself as “a real old school fetish party” and aims to host three events per year, has traditionally scheduled December events in the past. From its website, it looks as if it might be hoping to announce a December date for this year very soon. So here’s a link to the Boudoir Bizarre website in case our guess is correct!
Possible pervery? Promotional image for Amsterdam’s “old school” Boudoir Bizarre fetish party, which “might” be hosting its next event this December
Florida: Fetish Factory always holds festive fetish events, and the date of this year’s is Dec 9. Only the name has been changed to protect the kinky, it seems. This year, the party previously known as Season’s Beatings (and, at time of writing, still called that in its Facebook event listing) seems to have been changed on FF’s website to the less provocative Santress Season Fetish Party (probably a safer name for a Florida event these days). Venue info was still awaited at publication time.
New York: Fetish Tribe’s 15th Anniversary party, Impact at Temptations on Dec 9, is the second of only two fetish parties we could find listed for this year’s pre-Christmas party season in all of North America. Surely there must be more! Co-host Xris Smack! Will be DJing at this one of course, and if you’re into really complicated tiered ticketing systems, this is definitely one for you. The Temptations venue, previously known as Pendulum Studios, is located in Manhattan’s financial district.
Tempting: Fetish Tribe will celebrate its 15th anniversary with an Impact party at NYC’s Temptations venue on December 9. Co-host and DJ Xris SMack! (centre) is shown here with Val Vampyre (left) and Lexus Wicked
Fetish Dungeon duo: Hannah Price and Latex Lucy (photo, 2020: Peter Felix Kurtz/FetishFoto.co.uk)
London is rightly renowned as a hub for all manner of fetish activity, but an attraction perhaps less well-publicised (in the mainstream anyway) is the availability of facilities that can be hired for private play or fetish/BDSM photo/video shoots.
One such establishment, Dungeon Hire London — based in north west London and owned by well known fetish photographer and videographer Peter Felix Kurtz — recently underwent a full refurbishment that Peter is keen for fetish folk to hear about!
Dungeon Hire London offers a location with fetish/BDSM and clinic playspaces, plus a photo studio that has been the setting for many a famous fetish photo shoot over the years.
Whether you’re a kinky couple, threesome or foursome, a model, photographer or videographer, and living in or planning to visit London, the Dungeon Hire London space promises the chance to spend some quality hours in a dedicated, discreet, and private fetish playspace. Here, says Kurtz, guests can lose themselves in a “fully controllable atmospheric experience that caters for their BDSM fetishes”.
Dungeon furniture available includes a Fetters spanking bench, left, while clinical fetish furniture includes a white gynae chair, right (photo: Peter Felix Kurt/FetishFoto.co.uk)
Equipment provided includes a Fetters multi-use bondage throne (aka bondage chair or mistress chair), a Fetters spanking bench (aka whipping bench), plus clinical fetish furniture including an adjustable white medical gynae bed/chair (with stirrups and bondage straps) and a white examination table. Play accessories are also provided.
With individually controllable air conditioning or central heating (depending on the season), plus mood lighting, hi-fi audio and HD projector (both with Google Chromecast), the ambience can be set for an unforgettable BDSM fetish experience.
The Dungeon Hire London premises include a separate hotel-style bathroom with shower for guests’ private and exclusive use. All facilities are promised to be “spotlessly clean with the highest standard of hygiene, disinfected and steam-cleaned after every use”.
Guests are offered a complimentary drink on arrival and have access to a comfortable sitting area, a high table and bar stools, free WiFi and a coffee pod machine.
Pre-refurb view, left, of Bathroom 2; right: Gina and Hannah Price in the dungeon (photos, 2020: Peter Felix Kurtz/FetishFoto.co.uk)
Photo Studio Rental is available for stills and video shooting in the venue’s white studio with dual aspect natural light and black-out blinds. Studio equipment available includes professional multi-head strobe (flash) lighting, umbrellas, soft boxes, RF and IR trigger systems, LED video lighting and background support system for seamless paper backgrounds.
Help with studio set-ups is available from Mr Kurtz himself. Guests using the play spaces also have the option to engage Peter to photograph or video all or part of their play session as a permanent keepsake of their visit.
Dungeon Hire London is located near major north west London roads A1, A41, A406 (North Circular) and A5 (Edgware Road), and has free parking outside. The nearest London Underground station (in TfL Zone 3) and Thameslink train station are approximately 15 minutes’ walk away.
The location is served by numerous bus routes and for those wanting a local overnight stay, a Premier Inn is just a seven minute walk away.
Face time: Nina Birch and Valkyrie in the FetishFoto studio (photo, 2020: Peter Felix Kurtz/FetishFoto.co.uk)
For more information including hire rates, lots more pictures featuring both the establishment’s brand new, post-refurbishment look and a great selection from Peter Felix Kurtz’s fetish/BDSM photography over the years, plus links to his numerous social media pages, visit the Dungeon Hire London and FetishFoto websites below.
Back to nature: real latex, as in this Libidex Princess Catsuit worn by Lydia Black (@lydblack.xo), has much greater elasticity than plastic-based alternatives, making it the top choice for ‘second skin’ garments
Something that often bugs latex enthusiasts is seeing images of their favourite fabric worn by celebrities, models etc in mainstream media described incorrectly as some other material such as PVC or even leather.
For many rubber lovers, the only thing conceivably worse than this is the reverse situation, where something presented as — or at least appearing to be — latex turns out to be some kind of stretchy plastic product instead.
Category errors of this kind might be relatively easy to avoid for those who’ve been around latex clothing for some time. But the availability of various types of lookalike materials can be a bit of a minefield if you’re relatively new to the scene.
Latex fans who follow latex fashion’s regular appearances in mainstream media have been known to wonder why people employed by professional news outlets to comment knowledgably on what the subjects in their photos are wearing still seem to misidentify latex as something else quite so often!
Many of the errors we’ve noticed can probably be put down to the pressures of today’s 24-hour news cycle. Any celebrity appearance or fashion event deemed media-worthy will be covered by press photographers who, these days, will usually have to get their photos to the publications or picture agencies they represent pretty much the moment they’ve pressed the shutter button on the camera.
Category errors: fashion spotters employed by mainstream media to caption these red carpet shots from February’s Brit Awards described Daisy May Cooper’s non-latex outfit, left, as “latex and wetlook”, and, right, Munroe Bergdorf’s latex gown (by one of the world’s top latex designers) as “PVC”
This means their pictures are likely to arrive at their destinations with minimal accompanying information (as the ’togs are understandably focused first and foremost on obtaining usable images). If the pictures end up at a news or fashion blog website, it‘s most likely to fall to somebody working for that website to do the best job they can of writing individual captions and any other copy to accompany the pictures they’ve been presented with.
Again, this often has to be done at great speed, and the person responsible may just not have the time to research any details either not previously provided to them in a press handout or not part of their existing knowledge of a designer’s work. If that job falls to someone who is young and inexperienced or not particularly well-informed about the latex scene, they might well see a shiny outfit and assume “PVC”.
This can (as we ourselves have witnessed) end up with garments created by famous latex designers being described by major publications or websites as fabricated from material the designer in question wouldn’t touch with a bargepole. Yes, this can easily come across as laziness or sloppiness, but often deadline pressure is a major contributing factor!
Stitched seams, as clearly visible in the catsuit, left, along with the characteristic wrinkling of the leotard fabric, right, are features that help to distinguish ‘wetlook’ garments (made from polyurethane-coated woven fabric or a similar plastic-based combination) from those made using latex
Ironically, by the way, describing a latex outfit as “PVC” could be considered a double category error. Because for the most part, the plastic material used to create shiny, stretchy clothing that may look like latex to the untrained eye is not even PVC. Although genuine PVC is used for some fashion items (including rainwear, shoes, boots and accessories such as handbags), the stuff that is not just shiny but also stretchy is generally PU (polyurethane) coated nylon or similar plastic-coated stretch fabric.
Latex, as used in clothing, is made from the sap of rubber trees — it’s a natural and sustainable product. Fabrics that imitate latex, on the other hand, are products of the petro-chemical industry. So if you’re eco-conscious and need another reason to stick with the real thing, have this one on us!
That said, recent improvements in the technology for producing these faux-latex fabrics — used for anything from zentai suits to movie superhero costumes — have sometimes made it harder to tell just from photographs that they’re not the natural article. But even if these ‘alternatives’ have been getting more realistic in some respects, they can never totally match the particular qualities that latex brings to clothing.
Say Cheese! Libidex Blog Celebrity and international fetish model Evilyn13 proving that, because it’s made from extremely elastic latex, her Libidex Cheshire Dress moulds itself to her figure in a way other materials can’t match (photo: Jonny Ray)
Foremost among those qualities is the elasticity that only the thin latex sheeting used for clothing can offer. The degree to which latex clothing can stretch provides its unique qualities of fit — no plastics-based fabric is quite as flexible or as willing to mould itself to any bodily contours.
This means not only that latex is unmatched for fit in ‘second skin’ applications, but that the very specific way a tight-fitting latex garment wrinkles slightly with the wearer’s movement, or the way a loose-fit latex garment drapes across the body (owing to its relative weight), is absolutely unique to this naturally elastic material.
These characteristics can be extremely helpful — especially if you’re relatively new to latex — in determining whether an outfit you see in a photo (or in person) is latex or an imitation. But there is something else that is probably even more useful as a litmus test for whether a garment is made from ‘the real thing’. And that is to look at the seams.
Our figure-hugging Princess Catsuit again, this time modelled by Mercy Morg (@cradleofcarmine2). A close-up of the same shot, right, clearly shows the narrow, flat seams that bond the garment panels almost invisibly, maximising the ‘sprayed-on’ look uniquely achievable with skin-tight latex
With the exception of some one-piece moulded items, the vast majority of modern latex fashion (including everything made by Libidex) is constructed from latex panels bonded together using glued flat seams, which create a virtually seamless look. There are a few designers whose latex garments feature gluing and stitching to make an intentionally more prominent feature of the seams. But on the whole, today’s latex fans vastly prefer the ‘sprayed on’ look that flat, glued seams provide.
In contrast, the seams of plastics-based garments are stitched, generally with the stretch thread used to sew dancewear etc. So if you can get a close enough look at a seam (in real life or by zooming in on a photo), this will be a mostly reliable way to determine whether a garment is genuine latex or not.
Follow these tips for identifying what is and isn’t genuine latex, both in photos and in the flesh, and your chances of avoiding disappointment should greatly increase. And of course it goes without saying that one of the simplest ways to guarantee what you’re always getting is the real thing is to get your latex from Libidex!
Autumn Latex: Maggie Delena owner/designer Laura Morrissey models three latex looks from her mix and match Fall 2023 Collection. Left to right: Shayan Halter Top (shown with Simple High Waisted Pencil Skirt); Crop Halter Top (skirt as before); Zip Front Halter Top (skirt as before). Photos: Marilyn Scavo
Although latex designers mostly don’t bring out new collections with the strict seasonal regularity of mainstream designer brands, the pre-Christmas months are traditionally the busiest time for many latex businesses and some do aim to offer customers fresh looks for their autumn latex wardrobes.
Among these, over in Miami FL, is Laura Morrissey (above), owner/designer at the long-established latex label Maggie Delena, who has launched a Fall 2023 collection of co-ordinated separates.
More Maggie Delena Fall 2023 pieces, left to right: Bats! Bra Top (shown with Simple High Waisted Pencil Skirt); Bats! Thong Bikini; and Shayan Crop Halter Top (skirt as before). Photos: Marilyn Scavo
Laura says that what sets her Fall 2023 Collection apart is “its emphasis on mix and match versatility”, with all pieces designed to complement one another so that wearers can “craft their unique personal style”.
In addition to the outfits shown above, the Fall 2023 Collection includes the Buckle Front Waspie, Corvina Custom Catsuit, Nikki Crop Top, Monokini Latex Thong Bikini/Bodysuit, and Zip Front Bandeau Top.
And for those interested in other new products from Maggie Delena, the company has also just launched its own make-up collection, which has been created to “perfectly complement” its latex clothing.
Torture Garden hosts four fetish Halloween parties at London venues on Oct 27/28 and Nov 3/4. Saturday 28’s second ‘Undead’ night at Scala will feature wild rubber fashion by Dayne Henderson, who designed the costumes above for a recent music video by Cobrah
Fetish Halloween Parties were already established as major annual crowd-pullers in the fetish events calendar by the time covid put the dampener on things back in 2020.
Post-pandemic, Halloween is once again a powerful draw for party-loving pervs who enjoy a bit of creative dalliance with the dark side. But other factors — not least the loss of quite a few venues during the lockdown years — have meant that genuine fetish Halloween parties (those with a proper fetish dresscode and entertainment angled towards kinksters’ tastes) — are a bit thinner on the ground in 2023.
In the UK, London and Torture Garden dominate this year’s fetish Halloween partying scene, which will probably come as no great surprise to anyone. Outside London we’ve found just a couple of events promoting themselves as Fetish Halloween parties, neither of which are on dates very close to actual Halloween. In the Manchester area, Club Lash is hosting Intimate Halloween at The Chambers Studio in Ashton under Lyme on Saturday October 21. Later, down on the South Coast, House of Spank is hosting its Samhain Soiree at Brighton’s Proud Cabaret venue on Thursday November 9.
Torture Garden promo image for its two ‘Toy Factory’ Halloween parties at Electrowerkz on November 3 and 4 (photo: Talie Rose Eigerland)
In London, Torture Garden is once again about to host not one, nor two, nor three but four fetish Halloween parties on the two weekends either side of October 31. Even taking into account that these TG events now have to be held at venues with half the capacity (or less) of earlier haunts such as the Coronet and SeOne, Torture Garden at Halloween continues to be one of the best places on the planet to celebrate the fusion of kink and spookiness that Halloween facilitates.
This year Torture Garden will again host two pre-Halloween Balls — on Friday and Saturday October 27 and 28 — followed by two post-Halloween Balls — on Friday and Saturday November 3 and 4. TG’s Undead Balls 1 and 2 will take place at Scala, Kings Cross, while Balls 3 and 4, tagged Toy Factory, will be held at Islington’s Electrowerkz.
Shows announced so far include Alenee Aisha, Dayne Henderson (latex fashion), Petty Nonsense, J’Adore la Vie, Keri Gold and Eve Kann Costume. Expect more names to be added, but note: all performers are not scheduled for all nights. So if you want to catch a particular act, do check the Torture Garden website for the specific dates they’re scheduled to appear.
Parisian pervs can celebrate Halloween at the spooky Pavillons des Étangs (interior, above left) where Nuit Dèmonia stages its Inferno Fetish Horror Party on Sat Oct 28. Above right: fabulous promo image for Wasteland Halloween Ball, also Oct 28, by Josefien Hoekstra
Continental Europe’s biggest fetish Halloween celebration has traditionally been Wasteland’s Official Halloween Ball. This year’s edition takes place on Saturday October 28 at Amsterdam’s multi-space ‘underground’ venue Radion. Wasteland has a well-earned reputation for staging great shows, but at our publication time, it had announced no details of its upcoming Halloween performances.
Berlin, city of nightclubs, is probably playing host at the end of October to numerous Halloween-themed events that are not aimed at the kink crowd. However, KitKatClub’s Saturday October 28 edition of its weekly CarneBall Bizarre night should be a pretty safe bet as a fetish Halloween affair. Sadly, as the club only publishes its event schedules weekly, for the seven days immediately ahead, it’s too early to expect actual confirmation of this at time of writing!
In Paris, Nuit Dèmonia always hosts a fetish Halloween event. This year’s is tagged Inferno — Fetish Horror Party, and takes place on Saturday October 28 at a spooky-looking waterside venue called Les Pavillons des Étangs (Pavilions of the Ponds). But there’s more! This year’s party is the closing event in a three-day programme (Oct 26-28) ambitiously entitled Paris Fetish Week. Supporting events include a fetish market, film screenings and ‘partner evenings’ on the two days before the actual party.
In Switzerland, Zurich’s renowned hosts of pervery, Utopia Fetish Deluxe, hold their annual Halloween Ball at the Floor Club in the city’s Kloten district on Saturday November 4. The venue provides multiple play spaces and equipment, encouraging the organisers to promise “you are the show”. We hope you won’t disappoint them.
Promo image, above left, for Fetish Factory’s Halloween Fetish Ball in Wilton Manors on Fri Oct 27. Above right: Audience enthusiasm at Las Vegas Sin City Halloween Ball, which returns on Sat Oct 28 this year
Florida’s mega pervy partying brand Fetish Factory hosts one of the United States’ highest profile fetish Halloween events, each year drawing more than 2,000 people who all happily conform to the fetish dresscode. Its 2023 Halloween Fetish Ball takes place on Friday October 27 at its regular Epic Ballroom venue in Wilton Manors, up the road from FF’s Fort Lauderdale HQ. Entertainment laid on for the evening includes Jezebelle Red, Carrie Cat of 9Tails, Val Vampyre, Sharzayn, Christa Knox, Firefly, Lyra Angels and Matt Bennett.
Meanwhile in Las Vegas, another very popular US Halloween event — previously known as the Fetish & Fantasy Halloween Ball — recently rebranded as Sin City Halloween Ball (not to be confused with Vancouver’s Sin City fetish parties). But don’t worry: although the title has ditched that troublesome ‘fetish’ word, inside, it will be very much business as usual on Saturday October 28. Performers announced this year include Perish and Friends, Dani Divine, Fire-N-Ice, Pyrrha Sutra, Flesh & Fire, Hollywood Clowns, GrindCore and Masuimi Max.
Promo image for this year’s Endless Night Vampire Ball (Temple of the Dark Goddess) in New Orleans’ House of Blues on Sat Oct 28. This legendary gathering also features supporting events across the three days Oct 27-29
Of course Halloween in the US would not be Halloween without the original Endless Night Vampire Ball in New Orleans. Held at the famous House of Blues, it’s not strictly a fetish event, but is sufficiently ‘fetish adjacent’ to appeal to a lot of folk who identify as kinksters. And as devotees will know, as well as the headline Ball on Saturday October 28 (this year tagged Temple of the Dark Goddess), host Father Sebastiaan oversees a supporting programme that includes a Bazaar (Fri-Sat 27-28); Salon Noir (Fri 27); plus High Tea & Tarot, Convivium Banquet and Babylon VIV Salon (all Sun 29).
In New York, SMack! and Stimulate co-host our final US event, the Stimulate Annual Halloween Ball, on Friday October 27 at Eris Evolution in Brooklyn. There’ll be live music from Ayria and others; fetish performances by Lydia Wilts, Lola Strange, Eva ‘She Demon’ Tusquets and more; and DJs including Johanna Constantine and, of course, Xris SMack! himself.
Hellbound: guests queue to enter Gates of Hell, Cirque de Boudoir’s 2022 Halloween party. This year’s party, called Hellscape Halloween, takes place on Oct 28, preceded by the 7 Devils Cabaret Night on Oct 27
One Canadian event we’d normally recommend at Halloween time — the Sin City Fetish Halloween Ball at the Waldorf, Vancouver on Saturday October 28 (no connection to the Las Vegas event) — has already sold out of all its advance tickets. The hosts say additional tickets “may show up” due to legitimate returns and suggest anyone hoping for that bit of good luck should check back regularly at the event website.
On the opposite coast of Canada, Cirque de Boudoir can offer you two nights of Halloween entertainment, Montreal-style: 7 Devils Cabaret on Friday October 27 at Cabaret Lion d’Or, and Hellscape Halloween at Théâtre Paradox on Saturday October 28. The latter is CDB’s biggest event of the year, draws “the most kinky crowd in Montreal” and will feature performances by Natasha Nebula & Holy Scar, The Fire Furiads, The Hellbound Harlots, Sequra, Daskao & the Replikants, Mania Knox and more.
To complete this round-up, we have one event to mention in Australia. It’s not in Sydney as you might expect, but in Perth, the coastal city capital of Western Australia. On Friday October 27, Perth’s Voodoo Lounge will host its 19th Annual Halloween Fetish Ball, themed around Virtual Vixens in the Flesh and featuring appearances by well-known online mistresses and fetish/fashion stage shows among other attractions.
Don’t forget, if you’re in or near London, Libidex HQ in Islington is holding its Halloween Sample Sale on Saturday and Sunday Oct 21 and 22, with latex clothing and accessories at 50-80 percent off. Saturday’s ticketed event is now sold out, but Sunday’s walk-in event (from noon to 6pm) is open to everyone — no ticket required. Expect one-off pieces, prototypes, sample products and ex-display items at bargain prices!
Liberation-X artisan style, left: wearable rope San Harness with Chain by Figure of A; right: Prong Jewellery Large Padlock Choker
Liberation-X, Libidex’s sister company specialising in online sales of fetish/BDSM toys and accessories, reached its First Birthday in September.
To celebrate its first fun-filled year, Liberation-X announced 365 exciting items all available at 40 percent off with the secret code only available to its newsletter subscribers. The sale is now poised for its final weekend!
“We’ve achieved so much over the last year,” say the Liberation-X team in a message to subscribers, “and we’re so grateful for the love and support of our community. We certainly couldn’t have done it without you!
Instruments of discipline: floggers, tawses and crops from Liberation-X’s big ready-to-buy Slap Leather range
“It’s been hard work getting it off the ground,” the message continues, “but it’s all been worth it. Throughout the year we’ve continued adding thrilling new arrivals each week, and it’s been a pleasure to watch our website grow.
“We’ve had so much fun sourcing cool sex toys and kinky BDSM accessories, but the real joy has been receiving your positive feedback. We’re thrilled to hear we’re getting it right!”
Boots ’n’ collars, top row: footwear to please ’er from Pleaser; bottom: posture collars from Prong Jewellery at Liberation-X
The Liberation-X website includes main sections in the top menu bar devoted to sex toys, bondage, shoes, lubes & essentials and artisan/fashion.
The latter section currently includes products from rope harness specialist Figure of A (see top image, left) and a great selection of moulded leather masks from Leather Designs (see below). Two other designer lines — Prong Jewellery (top image, right) and Slap Leather —are both currently being joined by new made-to-order options.
Prong’s beautifully handcrafted ready-to-buy pieces were already a big hit with Liberation-X customers, but now the offering has been expanded to include a made-to-order Prong Jewellery range. Not only are additional styles now available, but further styles will continue to be added over the next few months!
Liberation-X masks ’n’ metal, top: moulded leather masks from Leather Designs and some examples of steel restraints
The Slap Leather Made-To-Order RAW range also successfully landed and created quite a stir on the scene. But again, Liberation-X is beginning to add more styles to the range — look out for the made-to-order padded and lockable range coming soon!
A selection of styles from all four of these artisan brands are among the items newsletter subscribers can still obtain in the final weekend of the Liberation-X 40 percent-off birthday promotion. Simply subscribe now to the newsletter here and get the secret discount code sent directly to your inbox. Note: this discount applies (while stocks last) only to tagged items on the Liberation-X.com site — not to items on the Libidex.com site.
Libidex.com is currently holding an online online Halloween sale, and will host a pop-up sample sale at its London HQ in late October
Libidex also has two seasonal shopping opportunities you may well wish to take advantage of. On now is an online 25 percent-off sale at Libidex.com, while later in October Libidex’s pop-up Halloween Sample Sale will be held at the company’s Angel, Islington HQ. Scheduled for Saturday and Sunday October 21-22, Saturday’s event is advance ticket-only, but Sunday is an unticketed walk-in event. More info on both from the Libidex.com website.
DEAD LOTUS COUTURE designer Nange Magro (above) poses for a seasonally appropriate portrait (photo: Nange Magro)
Earlier this year, Britain’s Dead Lotus Couture label celebrated a decade of creating the kind of high-end latex fashion that has seen the company join that exclusive group of latex brands regarded as ‘go to’ names for rubber-loving Hollywood/international celebrity types.
Owned by London-based Italian-Japanese designer Nange Magro, Dead Lotus Couture as a brand was distinguished from the off by artist-designer Magro’s equal focus on producing both highly distinctive garments and strikingly beautiful images of them — the aesthetic qualities of the latter rendering them works of art in their own right.
Launched initially on the London fetish scene, the Dead Lotus Couture aesthetic was quickly embraced by Torture Garden, which recognised, in Nange’s designs and branding, qualities akin to its own stylistic ideals.
Three of the many classic Dead Lotus Couture promo images created by Nange Magro and Mark Maxwell (aka Mark Perceval-Maxwell aka MPM7). The centre image (model: Nange) shows the extent to which the designer could, from the start, realise complex and fanciful ideas in latex, while the images on the left and right (model: Romanie Smith) illustrate Magro’s penchant for enhancing even the simplest outfits with the addition of distinctive latex headgear
Much of Dead Lotus Couture’s early imagery was a collaboration between the designer and her then partner, photographer Mark Maxwell (aka Mark Perceval-Maxwell, aka MPM7). It featured various fetish models such as Romanie Smith, with Magro styling the work and also modelling and photographing some of it. Ten years on, these early images are rightly regarded as classics of the genre; they still leap out at you when you browse the promo shots the label has accumulated over its lifetime. Nange went on to collaborate regularly with other talented producers of high-quality imagery such as Ian John Shaw and, more recently, erevosfoto.
Ten years ago, the British designer primarily associated with dressing American celebrities in latex was Atsuko Kudo (who is very much still in that business today). The relatively small number of other latex designers enjoying a share of this emerging celeb market were all US names — such as Venus Prototype (a latex designer and Hollywood stylist), and Syren (which dominated the supply of latex costumes for Hollywood movies).
Janelle Monae (left, wearing Dead Lotus Couture custom white latex outfit) was one of Nange Magro’s early Hollywood fans. Since then she has created latex for Lady Gaga (custom leotard, centre) and Kylie Jenner (Fluxo top/panties, stirrup tights right, photo: @marcelocantuphoto) among many other celebrity clients
This pretty exclusive club was hard enough for any new US designers to break into, let alone any more British labels. So it’s testament to the quality of Dead Lotus Couture’s work that when Nange Magro decided to set her sights on Hollywood, it appeared she was pushing against an open door. One of her earliest clients was singer-turned-actor Janelle Monae, and after Monae started wearing her latex, other Hollywood and international names soon followed.
Today, as well as Monae, the Dead Lotus Couture celebrity client list includes: Alejandra Espinoza, Baby K, Bella Thorne, Beth Ditto, Britney Spears, Cara Delevigne, Cardi B, Conchita, Demi Rose, Dua Lipa, Elsa Hosk, Gigi Hadid, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, Kylie Jenner, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Missy Elliott, Nadya Riot, Nicky Minaj, Poppy Ajudha and Sofia Boutella.
Basic B*tch (above) is the new latex collection from Dead Lotus Couture, launched in August. Screenshot shows the first eight of the collection’s 44 pieces, as displayed on the label’s Basic B*tch web shop page
Just a month ago, Dead Lotus launched a new collection: Basic B*tch. “As basic bitches,“ Nange observed, “we don’t like to complicate things. The Basic B*tch Collection is all about classic, wearable items given a signature Dead Lotus Couture twist. We wanted to create a bold, fun collection of simple pieces to mix and match, or to add to your everyday wardrobe.
“We also mixed in a few favourite classic Dead Lotus Couture designs that we thought worked perfectly with the collection. Inspired by fun, nostalgia and the fluidity of gender and expression, the Basic B*tch Collection (just like every Dead Lotus Couture design) is for everyone.”
The description “basic”, as used by Ms Magro, does, however, require a little qualifying. While a couple of the items in the new range cost less than £100, most Basic B*tch pieces are priced in the several hundreds, with the most expensive — Catcall Cargo Trousers — topping the list at £1,300.
But, as any designer with Nange’s famous clientèle might feel entitled to point out: when you’re buying into a high-end brand worn by the likes of Madonna, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Kylie Jenner, you surely wouldn’t expect to pay Primark prices!
Striking shots of Nange modelling her own latex by two other photographic collaborators: Ian John Shaw (left) and erevosfoto (right)
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Avantgardista 2023 will showcase the exotic rope creations of French artist Fred Kyrel at new venue Motorworld Munich in October
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 16
Avantgardista 2023, this year’s edition of the big annual Munich fetish fashion event, takes place in mid-October in a new venue, with some format changes that mark the organiser’s ambitions for this still-newish addition to the international calendar.
Avantgardista was launched in autumn 2017 by Munich-based Prometheus Productions, who have been running the SubRosaDictum fetish and lifestyle events in Germany and beyond since 2008. Their rationale was that Germany’s wealthiest city region not only has a thriving fetish scene, but also a substantial demographic who are fetish-fashion-curious but not attracted to the standard type of fetish events.
So they conceived Avantgardista as a weekend that would play up the fashion angle and play down the more hardcore aspects of fetish in order to appeal to those interested in ‘alternative style’ without necessarily identifying as kinksters.
Since it was the clothing and accessories that would be the main focus for such people, the Avantgardista weekend would need to major both on fashion shows and shopping opportunities. Fetish folk would, of course, be attracted to these aspects too, and for the fetish partying crowd, SubRosaDictum’s legendary Space Intruders autumn party would be held on the Avantgardista weekend’s Saturday night at its traditional Kesselhaus venue.
Catwalk action: memorable moment from the Ero Chains fashion show at last year’s Avantgardista weekend in Munich
Saturday’s main Avantgardista afternoon fashion ‘showroom’ (with exhibitor stands) and its evening fashion shows (featuring around 20 alternative brands) would be held next door to Kesselhaus in the Kohlebunker, another of the family of commercial venue conversions on an extensive site in the north of Munich that included the former home of the Deutsche Bahn repair shop, and is nowadays a major leisure attraction for Munich’s car-mad population.
In the years after its launch before Covid caused a temporary hiatus to all such events, the original Avantgardista programme was tweaked a bit, as you might expect with any new event. Saturday afternoon’s showroom programme was extended backwards to start on Friday in order to give exhibitors a longer public showcase and also host the evening Meet & Greet that had first been held in a bar at the designated event hotel.
Saturday night’s Space Intruders party at Kesselhaus was extended into the Kohlebunker where, among other things, a food vendor ensured that hungry Bavarians could get some sausage inside them at any time of the day or night. (If you’ve ever been to Munich, you’ll understand how important this is!) And an Avantgardista Breakfast was also added on the Sunday (again we refer you to the Bavarian appetite noted above).
Avantgardista 2023 is moving to Mortorworld Munich, a venue that will offer additional shiny attractions like this
While the Avantgardista 2023 programme (running from October 13 to 15) seems to be similar to the above in some aspects of its basic structure (some details are yet to be confirmed), there are some key differences from previous years. The most significant of these (announced on Facebook in early May) is almost certainly that the main fashion event has been moved to a new location near the old one: Motorworld Munich. So far, we have not found any evidence that the showroom aspect of the previous events is being continued at the new location.
The gigantic Motorworld convention and event centre (including hotel) dwarfs the Kohlebunker and Kesselhaus venues it is adjacent to. We don’t yet know how much of Motorworld’s total space will be occupied by Avantgardista alongside all those fancy fast cars. But it seems almost certain it will be a bigger space than before. And in line with what look like Avantgardista’s aspirations for growth, this year’s event is now being marketed as Avantgardista Kink Couture Days, which looks to us like an acknowledgement that the branding of the earlier events was a mite too cautious, while still being careful to avoid that actual taboo ‘fetish’ word!
Designers participating in Avantgardista 2023 include, top l-r: Benno von Stein, Fernando Berlin, Leglé; bottom l-r: Taza&Jane, Liquid Disco, Moth Couture
Up to the time of this article’s first publication (one month before the Munich event), Avantgardista had announced just ten exhibiting designers and artists. But the day after our item went live, the organisers released a much longer list of participants, so we’ve updated our original story to include it.
Designers and artists now scheduled to appear at Avantgardista 2023 are: Benno von Stein, Choses Nobles, Fernando Berlin, Pairadize Clothing, YourShape, Deluxe Latex, Dino Sadino, Epic Couture, Ero Chains, Érotique Couture, Fetish Fantaisies, Fleurinna Wings Creation, Fred Kyrel, Goldpiercing Art, Kurage (presented by beGloss), Leclé, Latex Couture, Liquid Disco, Little Sin, Lorand Lajos, Lucia Venezia München, May Couture, Moth Couture by Maria Encke, Schnittmuskel (Cut Muscle), Synhaus, and Tarza&Jane.
The full list reveals a good mix of internationally familiar and much less familiar brands — one of the notable plus points of the Avantgardista events for fetish people who don’t want to see the same brands at every big gathering.
It has now also been clarified that, as in previous years, the listed brands will be presented on stands in Avantgardista’s exhibition space, with the majority also showcased on the fashion show catwalk. Currently the best place to find more info about the event’s participants, including the models, is Avantgardista’s Facebook page (its main page — there isn’t yet a Facebook event page for this year, and the new event website is still only partially finished). As for the models taking part, well we stopped counting when we got to 50 but it’s pretty safe to say there will be a lot more than twice that many walking for the designers on the day.
On the downside (perhaps), earlier Avantgardista fashion shows went on for what some described as an interminably long time, which is why the audience seating is generally in high demand. If this year’s fashion show space is larger as expected, and more seating is consequently available, that can only be a good thing. But bear in mind: seats won’t be free! On the plus side, if you’re happy to stand, entry to the fashion show is free (but you can make a voluntary contribution if you wish).
Models appearing at Avantgardista 2023 include, top l-r: Fleur Du Mal, Elody, Padi; bottom l-r: Damien, Annerlie Bizarre, Lotte LaVey
Friday Oct 13
17:00–23:00 AVANTGARDISTA SHOWROOM + MEET & GREET
Location: next to showroom in Motorworld Rotunda, Motorworld, Am Ausbesserungswerk 8, 80939 Munich
Admission: Free with Avantgardista Saturday Seated Fashion Show ticket; otherwise €10.
Saturday Oct 14
12:00-23:00 AVANTGARDISTA SHOWROOM
Location: next to showroom in Motorworld Rotunda, Motorworld, Am Ausbesserungswerk 8, 80939 Munich
18:00-22:00 AVANTGARDISTA FASHION SHOW – SEATED
Location: Motorworld Ground Floor, Motorworld, Am Ausbesserungswerk 8, 80939 Munich
Ticket: €30 (this ticket also includes admission to Friday’s Meet & Greet).
18:00-22:00 AVANTGARDISTA FASHION SHOW – STANDING
Location: Motorworld Ground Floor, Motorworld, Am Ausbesserungswerk 8, 80939 Munich
Admission: Free (but a voluntary contribution is welcome)
Saturday Oct 14
22:00–Late SPACE INTRUDERS PARTY
Location: Kesselhaus & Kohlebunker, Lilienthalallee 35, 80939 Munich
Ticket: €70
Party Animals: a leopard and zebra find a shared interest in latex at the big Space Intruders fetish party that traditionally follows the fashion shows during every Avantgardista weekend
Avantgardista website + tickets
Avantgardista Facebook
SubRosaDictum website
Space Intruders tickets
