This first edition of Honeyland — a Sunday afternoon/ evening event at Essen’s famous Delta Musik Park venue, hosted by the team behind Flowers and Bees — was a bit last-minute. 

But for a first time it worked out really well. Of course I am a bit biased, since I attend the Flowers and Bees parties (held by photographer Michael Küttner and his wife Svenja) as often as I can. (See link to my earlier Fetishistas report below.) 

Combining an alt/fetish fair with fashions shows, exhibitions and other entertainment (and a pre-party the night before), Honeyland made its debut on January 13. 

The first fair’s exhibitors were exclusively German, as there was not enough time to organise any international participation. I do hope this will change with the next edition, scheduled for this September.

On the evening of Saturday 12 the pre-party (in the same venue) was even more last-minute. You may wonder about this reversal of the more usual order of things, but I must say I liked it. 

Honey Bee Warm Up pre-party

The party, called Honey Bee Warm Up, was not an official Flowers and Bees. But surprise, surprise, it had a karaoke stage. 

It was so cool to see artists, models and even a lost, slightly drunk, Dutch photographer accompanied by a long-legged and blue-haired Dutch model [I wonder who they were — TM] join this stage and entertain the crowd with heavenly singing/grunting/screaming. 

There was dancing, laughter, good music (ie not only techno), and drinks. This all sums up a pretty good party for me.

On Sunday the Delta venue, well known as the location of many previous Fetish Evolution Balls, was transformed into a happier industrial setting for the event described by its hosts as a ‘kinky fetish fashion show and play market’. 

Honeyland uses the same parts of the venue complex that are used for the Flowers and Bees parties, plus the main hall used by Fetish Evolution for all the fashion shows.

Our hosts put in a great effort to make it as perfect as possible. There were extra decorations like big candy balloons and kinky/sexy pictures on the walls, plus extra lights for the exhibitors, fitting booths and much more. 

At the entrance, there were little people waiting at a miniature sugar candy bar to help you out with cotton candy and popcorn. (I went back a few times; it’s free and I’m still Dutch.) There was some lighthearted flirting going on over there too, which added to the fun atmosphere.

Surprisingly there was also good food like fresh baked pizza, typical German wurst and of course drinks. This meant that after their first shopping spree, visitors could take a short food break and then continue with their retail therapy. This is something I could very easily get used to. 

Next to the DJ booth there was a comfy lounge area with an exhibition of work by German photographer Vince Voltage.

It was a perfect opportunity to chill out and leaf through his book, or even buy it. I am super impressed by his weird, stunningly original, crazy-colourful style. 

The lounge area was also perfect to actually lounge like a pro and to have a few words with the designers, artists and models who were hanging out there.

And there were quite a few walk-around acts. A giant woman with extraordinary make-up guided me through the area where fetish models were walking around with gorgeous masks and jackets by Jaded Jewell. 

I think I spotted all the post-apocalyptic people from Wasteland Warriors moving around the location in their extravagant and creepy-looking outfits. Some even managed to scare the shit out of me. I can always appreciate that. In a way.

Honeyland fashion shows

And fashions shows. Each designer was able to show their kinky and colourful designs twice, and visitors were treated to fun performances from the 14 models on stage.

One label, Rimo Fashion, even made their show work with just two female models. Two. Much respect to these ladies, since it was almost a magic act to behold! And the happy faces. This always works for me.

My favourite newcomer (and friend), the photographer AverageShots, premiered his new clothing line, AverageCouture, on the Honeyland catwalk.

Mr Average had been working on some very intricate harness designs for the previous few months and was finally able to show them on the runway.

I wouldn’t know how to put any of them on, and probably would suffocate while trying. But the designer explained in a calm way, to all his customers, how his creations could be worn.