An aspect of Amsterdam’s twice-yearly Dominatrix parties not visible to the partying public — but much appreciated by those working on the events’ shows — is the large space provided as the fashion show’s dressing room.

For anyone ever involved in an event where the dressing rooms are little more than toilets, the Dominatrix party venue’s changing area would seem positively luxurious.

Taking over the venue’s self-contained VIP club space for the night, the fashion show’s temporary nerve centre comes fully furnished with tables, chairs, mirrors, its own bar, plenty of space for clothes rails and hair and make-up.

There’s even a performance floor that serves as a dedicated spraying area where models receive their final pre-catwalk sheen.

Compared to the public areas, rammed as they are with clubbers and blasted by Torture Garden sound levels, this space, with its soft lighting and opulent décor, is like an oasis of quiet and calm — the perfect antidote for pre-show nerves.

For all these reasons, it also provides a fantastic photo opportunity for the small band of trusted ’togs afforded backstage access.

In one corner is a temporary photo studio to facilitate official photography of the models in all their latex splendour. But this big, well-lit space also provides great opportunities for more candid work — a chance for those with the requisite access to play at being Brassaï shooting in the nightclubs of Paris for an hour or two.

Regular Dominatrix photographer Bommi (Thomas Burggraf) is one of the fetish scene’s most talented lensmen, as you may realise if you saw his recent Fetishistas cover article (see link, below right).

And at the most recent party on March 8, Bommi took full advantage both of the studio and candid opportunities provided by his backstage access.

He turned around our selection of 50 backstage images so quickly that it seemed only fair to give him his own dedicated Fetishistas portfolio from the party, to be published before the full report gets uploaded.