I was invited to tell a story at Red Umbrella Diaries on Sept 1 about my experiences in the Fashion and Sex Work.
Here is the story I told (minus the ad-libbing, but plus extra pics!)
How does one dress for sex work? There aren’t sex work catalogs that list out different uniforms for the nuances of prostitute personalities.
-some Strip clubs tell the dancers whether to wear pasties, a bikini or a gown
-Role play scenarios make it easier, the Naughty Nurse, slutty schoolgirl, the Pin up princess.
But what about when youre crafting your own brand, marketing the image of your sexwork?
When I first went independent as a Pro Domme, on my own, no longer working in a Dungeon or catering to a small scene, I did some research and I encountered “the rules” These rules were enforced by a group– that discretion bids me leave un-named , and were the criterion to being a true Woman of Power. including:
-Being over 25—Failed that one, (im all of 19 when I found the rules, but pretending to be 25).
-Having at least 3 separate outfits that convey your craft and mastery- got that one covered
-You must never referr to yourself as submissive, a switch, or presentyourself in image, word, or action as less than Dominant- no problem, when I was starting out I too saw power as black or white.
The message was clear– image was everything. Altho I was trained by old guard Masterly types in the DC fetish scene I was barely 19, Domming since 17, and thus was faking it till I made it. So, now on my own in Pittsburgh, pretending to be 25 and dangerously at risk of being called a GWW, a Goth with Whip, I took note. It wasn’t just my ego at stake, it was also my personal brand, and that meant paying the bills (and of course being able to buy the latex I couldn’t otherwise afford 
Flash forward a few years, and a few too many stalkers later, and I decide its time to transition away from being a Pro Domme and into the illustrious vocation of Fetish Artist- read: switch, model, performer, visual artist, designer the moon the stars and the kitchen sink. I was tired of the rigid role I had been confined to, and I wanted more. But could I transition?
I moved back to DC, and was hired as the House Domme of BOUNDDC, which filled my weekends while I went to art school, toured for photoshoots and my self-bondage performances. That’s when I began making art out of latex, and latex clothing shortly thereafter. It was exhilarating to be designing clothes that others would wear for their sexytime, and even better to be able to concoct my own custom fantasies for all the new shades of grey from which I previously hid.
However my grayscale would soon be tested during my first fashion show at BOUND (Designing in collaboration with SLYX Fashions). As the House Domme, I had a certain image to maintain, however sometimes my Domly Dommeness was at odds with my desire to rebrand and broaden my horizons— not to mention entice more varied play partners for my own private sexcapades. Nonetheless, it took me a long time to cut the Domme image and glue it back together as the mosaic you see before you today.
It went like this-
Continue reading ‘Latex Fashion Show Story (from Red Umbrella)’
