TheFetishistas

11/02/2025

Charmskool Showroom, the first permanent retail venue for Charmskool, soft-launches in E London on Weds Feb 12, just in time for Valentine’s Weekend. Alexandra Houston tells us what to expect from the initial opening and longer term plans.
Banner: .babe models Sorayama Goddess Set by Ada Zanditon (photo: )
https://thefe**shistas.com/charmskool-showroom-opens/

03/01/2025

FETISHISTAS JANUARY COVER STORY: Originally published on Dec 30 and now re-published with revisions to Page 4, this is Tony Mitchell’s overview of Jane Garrett’s revealing new biography of pioneering artist John Willie – creator of Bizarre magazine, Sweet Gwendoline and much more – combined with an extensive interview with the author. An absorbing long read for the New Year! https://thefe**shistas.com/john-willie-a-bizarre-life/

31/12/2024

09/12/2024

Happy Birthday John Alexander Scott Coutts, better known as pioneering artist and photographer John Willie, who was born on December 9 1902. Photo by JW shows his famous muse and sometime wife Holly Faram

27/11/2024

FETISHISTAS DECEMBER COVER STORY: Le Boutique Bazaar marks 10 years as London’s cool alternative pop-up shop on December 1. We interview founders Alexandra Houston and Charlotte TG for the story behind their unique joint venture, and preview the December event – including sellers list and details of promo giveaways. Banner image: Léa Mortelle wearing Kraken Counter Couture – photo by Tony Mitchell
https://thefe**shistas.com/le-boutique-bazaar-10th-birthday/

16/11/2024

British photographer Keith Barker has been shooting shiny fashions both traditional and modern for many years. Working to high technical standards with all his subject matter, he has just produced a 2025 calendar that has fortuitously coincided with rubber rainwear, particular trench coats, having a moment in the high fashion spotlight. Fetishistas review by Tony Mitchell; image by Keith Barker from ‘2025 Rainwear’.
https://thefe**shistas.com/2025-rainwear-keith-barker/

09/11/2024

Zara DuRose’s new venture DuRose Dining launches at a private members’ club in London’s posh club district at the end of this month. The evening will combine fine dining and immersive entertainment with after-hours play for those inclined. The Fetishistas’ preview has everything you need to know about the event. Image: host Zara DuRose
https://thefe**shistas.com/durose-dining-london-debut/

01/11/2024

NOVEMBER COVER STORY: Since its release in April, Yaz’s Abduction film short, based on her experiences of being institutionalised at age 15, has had more than 250,000 YouTube views. But, as she explains in this article, to reach that point Yaz had to battle repression, censorship and attempted copyright theft. Banner: Yaz (centre) in a scene from Abduction inspired by da Vinci’s The Last Supper
https://thefe**shistas.com/my-abduction-film-battles-by-yaz/

01/10/2024

FETISHISTAS OCTOBER COVER: Alexandra Houston, brains behind alt/fe**sh pop-up Le Boutique Bazaar and the more recently launched Charmskool, explains the ethos of her new retail platform – dubbed a cooler and kinkier version of Etsy. Includes a report on the recent Charmskool House event and previews of Oct 6’s Le Boutique Bazaar and Charmskool NYC. Banner: Alexandra at Le Boutique Bazaar by Hyder Images.
https://thefe**shistas.com/alexandra-houston-charmskool-supremo/

13/09/2024

Looks like Saturday’s Charmskool House in Soho is going to be a blast. Two hours ago the goss was that the event was within about 15 tickets of a complete sell-out, with 24 hours still to go. See you there! Pic by Frankinsella shows Charmskool supremo Alexandra Houston (right) with Dani Divine. Preview here:
https://thefe**shistas.com/charmskool-house-soho-event/

07/09/2024

Matthias Von Braun, an award-winning UK maker of short films, is currently casting Extremity, a dark surreal neo-expressionist experimental art film about repression and self acceptance, explored using physical movement and cinematic techniques. Two paid female roles are being cast for shooting on Nov 12, and the final will be exhibited at international galleries and film festivals. Full details: https://www.mandy.com/aa/project/2851807/extremity/

02/09/2024

Charmskool House is a one-off event in Soho during London Fashion Week, hosted by Charmskool’s Alexandra Houston, co-host of Le Boutique Bazaar. This alt/fet evening will feature art and photo exhibits, demos, screenings, interactive activities and a makers’ market featuring spicy fashion and art. Our preview has all the details plus a look ahead to more from Alexandra including a Fetishistas interview, Le Boutique Bazaar and Charmskool’s imminent New York debut
https://thefe**shistas.com/charmskool-house-soho-event/

26/08/2024

Fancy a meaty Bank Holiday read? The new Fetishistas cover story reports on the London launch of S+ Association, a trade organisation for the UK’s s•x-positive events industry. S+ aims to establish shared safety standards and better understanding of the applicable laws. The launch at Electrowerkz featured speakers from seven founding organisations including Torture Garden, plus an audience Q&A. Report and pix: Tony Mitchell. Banner: Fox Den founder Sinead Mac Manus and TG co-founder Allen Pelling
https://thefe**shistas.com/s-plus-association-launches-in-uk/

30/07/2024

Legendary British latex sheeting and clothing brand Yummy Gummy is finally set to reappear with new German owners. Tony Mitchell links up with brand founder Rebecca Allsop and her German buyers, Yuki and Ruka of Se’tyo (pictured here), to get the full story of Yummy Gummy’s imminent return
https://thefe**shistas.com/yummy-gummy-resurfaces/

10/07/2024

UK ARTIST TOBY MOTT is seeking support and donations for a new project dedicated to documenting the rich history of the fe**sh, q***r and transgressive scene from the 1980s onwards. The project aims to curate a comprehensive exhibition and accompanying book, focusing on the vibrant paper ephemera that defined the era before the advent of the Internet. Toby is particularly interested in collecting flyers, posters, clothing catalogues and other printed materials that were integral to the scene.

This endeavor builds upon the artist’s previous work exploring and documenting subcultures, such as in the publications Showboat and New Age, which have celebrated and preserved the legacy of punk, rave and other influential movements. He says: “Inspired by my dedication to archiving and showcasing subcultural artifacts, this new project will similarly capture the essence and evolution of the fe**sh scene, providing a unique insight into its history and cultural impact.”

Toby believes materials you may have could play a crucial role in this project, helping to create a vivid and authentic portrayal of the community and its creative outputs. “Your contributions will not only be invaluable to the exhibition and book,” he says, “but will also help ensure that this significant cultural history is preserved for future generations.” So the artist hopes you’ll consider donating any relevant items you might have. He promises any such support will be greatly appreciated and duly acknowledged in the exhibition and publication. You can contact Toby at: [email protected]

08/05/2024

FETISHISTAS MAY COVER: With roots in London’s legendary fet-friendly Resistance Gallery, comedy wrestling cabaret night Lucha Britannia made it through the loss of its original home as a result of the pandemic, to resurface at Village Underground in July 2023. But now, the cost of living crisis affecting every corner of London’s cultural life threatens to make Lucha’s Friday May 10 show its last. Banner image: Rob Brazier
https://thefe**shistas.com/lucha-britannia-fights-to-survive/

12/04/2024

FETISHISTAS APRIL COVER: Today, Los Angeles multi-disciplinary performance and visual artist Yaz releases Abduction, a short film sharing the title of the single just released from her new album Persephone. The film channels Greek mythology and fe**sh imagery – including a selection of fabulous Dark Garden corsets – to tell the harrowing story of her incarceration in a psychiatric hospital at age 15. Interview: Tony Mitchell. Banner: Yaz, as Persephone, wears Alexandra Corset from Dark Garden’s Invocation collection
https://thefe**shistas.com/yaz-abduction-film-interview/

18/03/2024

FETISHISTAS MARCH COVER: prize-winning artist Shelley Dyer-Gibbins found her creativity heading in a new direction when lockdown brought unexpected mainstream interest in one of her linocuts featuring stockings and heels. People asked for more in the same vein and today such imagery is a major focus of her endeavours, with a London exhibition planned for the autumn. Banner: three examples of her linocut work
https://thefe**shistas.com/shelley-dyer-gibbins-fe**sh-art/