Of course, Dominatrix and Avantgardista are in different countries, and 700km (435 miles) apart as the crow flies. And the two events are clearly somewhat different in character, with different primary target audiences.

However, the likelihood of some overlap of potential participants (both industry and public) cannot be denied. So you might wonder why the new German event is timed to go head-to-head with the established Dutch weekend rather than to avoid a clash that could adversely affect both.

Well, it would appear that early attempts were made to avoid the clash, with Dominatrix proposing the Munich event should move back just one week to the third weekend of November.

But it seems this was not an option for Avantgardista because that weekend includes Germany’s Silent Day religious holiday, when singing and dancing events are forbidden by law. (Fetish Evolution Weekend has had similar problems over holding its kick-off Meet & Greet events on Good Friday.)

So unfortunately, for this year at least, an amicable solution could not be reached and consequently both the Dutch and German events will take place on the same weekend. Which means that for those who would have liked to attend both, a choice will have to be made.

What, then, is on offer from the new event in Munich?

The title Showroom has been purposely chosen for the Saturday afternoon/evening event (from 2pm to midnight) to distinguish its character from the fairs and expos many of us are familiar with at events such as the German Fetish Ball Weekend and Fetish Evolution Weekend.

Avantgardista’s Showroom will not be “the usual trade or retail fair”, says Carina. Instead, it will be more of an exhibition space “where participating designers can show a few of their masterpieces”.

Set in an imaginatively-converted industrial space called the Kohlebunker, at Lilienthalalee 37 in north central Munich, the Showroom will feature open, white-walled booths to give more of a gallery feel.

Only designer/producers will be allotted space there, and while they’ll be free to sell or take orders for their work, retailing is not the primary objective of the event and no retail-only companies will feature.

With a couple of possible exceptions, all the labels involved in the Showroom will also be putting their work into the evening’s Fashion Show in the same venue.

The catwalk action was originally scheduled for 9pm but may now be brought closer to 7.30pm, as the Fashion Show Sneak Preview originally pencilled in for the late afternoon may no longer happen.

The designer shows will be presented onstage by Fräulein Katzentanz (who features on the event flyers) assisted by jetsetting kinkster Ian Dutton.

The advantage of moving the fashion show forward is that people will then, if they wish, have more time to spend connecting with designers at their Showroom booths after seeing their creations on the catwalk.