MARCH DEBUTS: Latex fashion from Mad Rubb (main photo: Alternative View) and VinNoir (photo, top left: Fabiana Antolini) plus guest appearance by Canada’s Richard Cardinal (photo, bottom left: Kindred’s Muze)
Dominatrix: March awaited and November remembered
DOMINATRIX MARCH DEBUTS: Latex fashion from Mad Rubb (main photo: Alternative View) and VinNoir (photo, top left: Fabiana Antolini) plus guest appearance by Canada’s Richard Cardinal (photo, bottom left: Kindred’s Muze)
Europe’s increasingly international party, Dominatrix, returns to Amsterdam’s outskirts for its next outing on March 7-8. Get a feel for what to expect from this look ahead to next month, accompanied by a full report from November’s event by Tony Mitchell
Spanish latex fashion label Mad Rubb, introduced to Fetishistas readers on our June 2013 cover, is one of two southern European design firms making its debut at the upcoming Dominatrix party in March.
Along with fellow debutante VinNoir Latex from Italy, MadRubb will join three labels with previous Dominatrix form — Ardita Fetish Fashion, Black Body and Inner Sanctum — on the March catwalk.
Taking place as usual on the outskirts of Amsterdam, with the impressive Van der Valk Akersloot as its partner hotel, next month’s Dominatrix will once again offer a mini-weekend of friendly, well-organised Dutch fetish fun.
The festivities start on Friday March 7 with the now-traditional Models’ Meet and Greet in a spacious private bar in the hotel. Saturday 8 starts in the early evening with the Fetish Dinner/Cabaret followed by the Dominatrix party itself — both hosted in the large ex-country club venue in nearby Uitgeest that is now firmly established as Dominatrix’s home.
After her impressive debut as mistress of ceremonies at last November’s event, model, singer, actress and current Marquis magazine cover star Nina de Lianin will reprise her rôle of ‘Dominatrix Queen’ next month.
Sharing the cabaret stage with Nina at Friday’s dinner will be model and dancer Onna Sakura, a big hit at last March’s dinner (not least with promoter Reinier More’s parents) and also winner of the Best Up and Coming Model title in November 2012.
Among attending models will be other winners and runners-up in recent Dominatrix awards ceremonies, including Swedish trio Sister Sinister (Miss Fetish Europe 2012 and MFE 2013 runner-up), Psylocke (MFE 2013 second runner-up) and Starfucked (Best Up and Coming Model 2013).
Making a special guest appearance on the party catwalk will be Montreal Fetish Weekend’s larger-than-life character Richard Cardinal (aka The Richard). Other male models strutting their stuff this time include Paint It Black and Torres Natekx, both from Germany.
More info about attending models and performers confirmed at the time of writing can be found by browsing our first gallery, above right.
Next month’s edition of the bi-annial Dominatrix event looks set to build on the success of last November’s gathering, which in terms of international attendance, was nudging the critical mass necessary to put it on a par with Germany’s two big weekends, Fetish Evolution and the German Fetish Ball.
The difference in tone was most clearly indicated by November’s meet and greet party, which after earlier years’ quiet affairs, was suddenly packed this time with the kind of industry globetrotters whose presence sends a clear message about the rising international status of an event.
For example, practically the first person I bumped into — and great to see on our side of the pond again — was New York’s legendary Jade Vixen, resplendent in red latex. Close on her heels, also in red latex (though thankfully not the same dress!) came Japan’s Mistress Hibiki, squired by Montreal Fetish Weekend promoter Eric Paradis.
Also in from across the Atlantic were the fetish scene’s most-literally-jetsetting couple, Boeing-driver Ian Dutton and wife Shea Hovey, who have admirably taken it upon themselves to make flying visits to every major European event in recent times.
The Swedes were out in force, and not just because they were up for Saturday’s Miss Fetish Europe/Best Up and Coming Model awards
The Swedes — Elegy Ellem, Psylocke, Sister Sinister and Starfucked — were out in force, of course. And not just because they were all nominated for the following day’s Miss Fetish Europe or Best Up and Coming Model awards. Without at least one of these women involved, no European fetish event can really claim to be complete these days.
Regular Dominatrix participants from Germany such as Onna Sakura and Cosette were joined this time by Eden Berlin, warming up for her cabaret performance at Saturday’s dinner.
The British fetish fashion scene, meanwhile, was represented both by long-established and new designers in the form of House of Harlot boss Robin Archer, accompanied by wife Michelle, and Am Statik’s Amy Day, aka Luna Eve, respectively. It was also nice to bump into British model Roswell Ivory, returning to the party scene after a bit of a breather.
Needless to say, the host country also provided a healthy contingent of meeters and greeters, including performer and Burning Heart Latex designer Miss Mirjana with hubbie and Dominatrix stage manager Xander; photography/digital/modelling team Mew-Chiel (aka Michiel Kivits and Lara Aimée); and bubbly newcomer Lily Synesthesia.
And enjoying his last chance to relax before the serious hard work began, there was indispensable Dominatrix team-member Tido, especially pleased this evening with his alternative title for the occasion: Greet the Meat. My pictures of him with Elegy Ellem (above right) clearly show what he had in mind.
It’s no exaggeration to say that November’s Friday night opener had a most energetic vibe, and people were really not keen to let go of it. I recall being among the last people semi-forcibly ejected from the room, and I have a vague memory of the party continuing elsewhere for way longer than was sensible given that the big, really long night was still ahead of us.
So I missed breakfast and lunch on Saturday. But so what? Saturday’s early dinner would take care of hunger issues, would it not? Yes, it would.
Staged in a section of the party venue adjacent to where the main action would be starting a couple of hours later, it was the most fully-booked dinner since the event began, and its special dresscode had obviously encouraged many diners to turn up the volume on their outfit choices.
November’s dinners have the added attraction of playing host to the Miss Fetish Europe and Best Up and Coming Model awards. However, even without the awards ceremonies, these dinners are great fun, and the keen pricing and high standard of catering make their March counterparts just as worthy of attendance.
Last November, the main Miss Fetish Europe title for the current year was won by Kay Morgan (several times a Fetishistas cover star), with the other winners as listed above (in paragraph 7).
In between November’s courses and prizegivings, we were entertained by Nina de Lianin, making her debut as the weekend’s MC. Charming banter aside, her polished performance of a well-known song from musical theatre saw her join an exclusive club — that of fetish scene singers with proper voices (a group, incidentally, that also includes Dominatrix regular Rachael V).
The evening’s other show starred Eden Berlin doing a fin de siècle-inspired burlesque performance in stylish monochrome, against one of those trademark video backdrops that add an imaginative extra dimension to her solo performances.
The evening’s other show starred Eden Berlin doing a fin de siècle-inspired burlesque performance in stylish monochrome
At the end of these Dominatrix dinners, everyone has to leave not just the dining space but the actual building, and then re-enter through the separate nightclub entrance next door, so that tickets and passes can be properly checked and/or handed out.
After re-entering, for those that need them, there are lockers for storing coats and bags. These are brought in by Dominatrix promoter Reinier, who has a business providing them to a number of Dutch club venues.
It may seem a small detail, but this concept of self-service temporary lockers installed just for the period of the event, providing a queue-less alternative for clubbers with stuff to stash, is a brilliant example of entrepreneurial thoughtfulness. So much so that I dare say someone on the UK clubbing scene will eventually copy it — just give them about 20 years.
Filing into the big space where the main Dominatrix action takes place twice a year, we were presented last November with a new feature — a VIP area occupying the whole of one side of the balcony above the main dancefloor.
Rather than the elitist conceit it might have first seemed, this new space was actually a rather elegant solution to a couple of problems from earlier events.
These were, first, the presence of too many photographers and other ne’er-do-wells cluttering up the fashion show dressing room area (guilty as charged). And second, the tendency of models to disperse after their catwalk spots and not be available just when needed for their official backstage photo calls.
So this time, the dressing room was made strictly verboten to anyone not directly involved with the shows, and the VIP area became the replacement hang-out for models and photographers as well as genuine VIPs.
Within this space, there was even a dedicated ‘model bar’ with free drinks for the girls, operated by Michiel Kivits right next to his official photo studio. Any similarities to a mousetrap permanently primed with cheese were, I’m sure, purely coincidental.
Above: Alex Sim-Wise modelling House of Harlot latex at November Dominatrix (photo: Tony Mitchell)
The main auditorium at this venue has a sizable stage with a substantial catwalk of good width and height extending out into the audience. Given the good sight-lines from the balconies overlooking the main floor on three sides, this adds up to an opportunity to actually see the shows for an uncharacteristically large proportion of the audience (for a fetish event).
Photographers generally need to be around the front of the catwalk though, and that means staking your claim to a decent shooting spot quite some time before the first high heels hit the boards. And then if the show is delayed, you spend even more time twiddling your thumbs and trying to avoid being unintentionally bumped by dancers in various states of euphoria.
It has to be said that the Dutch clubbers Dominatrix attracts are an enthusiastic bunch. The nearest UK comparison in terms of fetish club audience energy would be a TG crowd, though TG still has the edge in terms of dressing to impress.
It cannot be denied that a lot of Dominatrix punters still adopt the Wasteland clubbers’ ‘strip ’n’ strap’ approach to a fetish dresscode.
But over the time I’ve been attending the event regularly, I’ve definitely seen more extravagant outfits appearing on the Dominatrix dancefloor. Perhaps Reinier’s determination to showcase impressive latex fashion at each and every party really is gradually educating the tastes of his clientèle.
From London there was House of Harlot, with not one but two full-scale shows, devoted to its own range and Torture Garden Clothing
November’s choice of designers pretty much ensured this particular party would turn out to be a catwalk classic.
For starters, from London there was House of Harlot, with not one but two full-scale shows, devoted respectively to its own range and the Torture Garden Clothing line it also produces under licence.
The Harlot show was as much a musical performance as a fashion show, with lip-synching models striking’60s poses and mimicking Motown’s girl-groups-with-attitude, rather than just walking straight up and down the runway.
It’s some years since HoH has indulged in a major runway extravaganza, and since I played a small part in getting Robin onboard for this one, it’s a great relief being able to report not only that it went down very well with the audience, but that he enjoyed it immensely himself.
Later, he even went as far as to say that the whole experience with Dominatrix had been very positive and had replenished his creative energy and belief in the scene.
It was also interesting to register my own reaction to the designs that were showcased in his Torture Garden show. Specifically, it was amazing to see how fresh, modern and edgy the late Kaisu Paakkola’s designs look in the context of what everyone is doing today.
It can now be seen that she anticipated some of today’s key influences by a good few years, and it was great to learn that with Robin’s longtime deputy Florence Druart now appointed as official designer for TG Clothing comes a new commitment to revitalising the famous club’s latex clothing brand.
Securing the first European fashion show by Boston-based Dawnamatrix was another feather in Reinier’s cap.
I’d stayed in touch with designer Dawn Mostow since her Fetishistas cover story in August 2010 (after she’d won that year’s Miss Rubber World title), and had felt sure her exquisite workmanship would find great favour over here if she could expose it on the right European or London catwalk.
She turned up at Dominatrix with a colourful entourage of loyal supporters/catwalk models (including jetsetting couple Ian and Shea) and like Robin Archer, seemed greatly invigorated by the whole experience.
Adding a different international flavour to the proceedings was new label Amatoris Latex Couture, hailing from Dusseldorf. The range of decorative styles shown by designer Danny Ahrens included imaginative variations on everything from tight corsets to flowing gowns with daring cutaways.
Also making her debut as a designer at Dominatrix was someone known more to fans of European fetish events as a model and performer, especially in AMF Korsets shows. I speak of course of Amsterdam’s very own Miss Mirjana, who was showing her Burning Heart Latex on a catwalk for the first time.
She offers a very wearable range of cute styles from simple, slinkily fashionable dresses to latex undies inspired by her personal fascination with lingerie.
The show ended with another one of those flamboyant finales we’ve come to expect from Brigitte More and her Lovely Latex. Integrated into the start of Brigitte’s show was a live vocal number from Nina de Lianin, demonstrating her musical versatility and topping off her rôle as the night’s mistress of ceremonies.
Much much later, when everyone who was staying at the Van der Valk had returned there, partying of various different kinds continued in several guest rooms. Probably best to draw a veil over that, and leave it to your imaginations.
Sunday is when most of the hotel’s non-local Dominatrix guests head home, and this usually involves at least some time sitting around in the lobby watching the hotel’s regular weekend traffic.
Weekends are when Dutch families come from miles around to have brunch, lunch, afternoon coffee, drinks or dinner in one of the Van der Valk’s several bars and eateries, which have a well-deserved reputation for the quality and price of their cuisine. If I lived in the area, I’d be doing that too.
By Sunday afternoon, of course, we kinksters were all back in our civvies, blending in with the locals so we didn’t frighten the proverbial horses, and so they’d welcome us back next time. So far, it seems to have worked.
Much much later, when everyone staying at the Van der Valk had returned there, partying of various kinds continued in several rooms
Tuesday, 4 February 2014
Tags: Clothing, Fashion Shows, Latex, Models, Parties, Performance Artists
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