|
Fetish or fashion, what is the lure of this craft and how can you be a part of it? Trans Mistress Ashleigh Ambers explains.
Leather. It has an allure of control, strength and style that can make many go weak at the knees.
It gives the wearer an edge that shows a lot more than just the clever use of cow skins.
Whether it is the smell of well-worked leather after a heated session or the sensation of rawhide across bare flesh, it shows a rough and raunchy side to a person.
Leather gives off an aroma when well-worked in heavy sexual sessions and this scent can be highly arousing.
It is seen in BDSM practices like in personal body harnesses, restraints, or collars as a useful hard point or to gain control of someone, chaining or tying them down to another fixed point.
Its strength and durability helps create confining bonds that can reshape and restrict the body such as clip-up cock rings and corsetry.
Hoods and Masks help bring a sensual aspect, shutting off certain senses to help heighten others. Not to mention the de-humanising features that turn normal people into playthings or pets.
There is also the beauty of a well-crafted pair of leather chaps, drawing the eye directly to a heavily studded codpiece or the no-nonsense feeling you get from a pair of stilettoed knee-high boots.
The high polish created on leather evokes an aura of power and mystique. It brings a level of rugged yet fashionable style to any look.
This is also true with leather uniforms, giving that authoritive yet sexual edge to a uniformed individual.
Cod pieces, gauntlets and bicep bands give the look of strength, like a warrior pumped and ready for action - all setting an alluring and superior style that draws people in.
One of the first rules of leather care is a common mistake – that of maintaining the health and polish on your leather to keep it from drying out. This can be accomplished with a good boot polish or saddle wax.
The natural oils need to be maintained within the leather to keep it supple and strong. It is best applied with a good brush for heavy leather items like belts and boots or a soft cloth for garment quality leather.
Massage the polish/wax into the leather before letting it rest, and then buff with a clean cloth to bring up a shine. This should be done shortly after any heavy scenes where sweat, lube or other fluids are present, as these can lift the natural oils from the leather.
Whether it is the fetish or the fashion that attracts you, each year there are a multitude of major events to celebrate the leather look.
For the younger ones interested in exploring and being creative, events like the Dark Fantasy Masquerade Ball in October or more regular clubs like Taboo or even Hellfire will give a good mix.
For more traditional leather worshippers, the men-only Boot Co holds its Corium festival every July, or if you are willing to travel, Inquisition XVI arrives in Sydney in June.
The Boot Co’s annual Kink fetish party (men only) will be held on April 5 downstairs at the Sportsman Hotel.
Further resources:
www.bootco.org.au
www.leatherandbears.com
www.skinmarvin.co.uk
www.gayleathermen.com
www.sydneyleatherpride.org
www.acidsnowflake.com/darkfantasy
 |
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
