Conversio Virium

Observer’s Fashion Reporter Doesn’t Get Fetish

In an Observer article published last week titled Adieu to The Noose I read yet another reminder of the questionable attitude mainstream news sources display when they report on things they clearly don’t understand.

Simon Doonan, egotistically calling himself “Scoop Doonan” in his article, writes about visiting The Noose before its final closing date, something CV blog readers will have recognized that we’ve touched on before:

“I’m here from The New York Observer,” I chirped, addressing the bloke behind the counter, adding, “I want to write about the closing of this important New York landmark.”

“There’s nothing to say,” he replied, staring contemptuously at my Gucci safari jacket, floral-print Paul Smith shirt, Prada cotton boating slacks and slip-on espadrilles. “We’re closing on August 31st. The end.”

I was gobsmacked. This was the first time in my life I had ever met anyone who turned his/her nose up at a bit of press. Accustomed as he is to the sound-bite flinging, press-hungry fashion world, your reporter found himself at a loss. Maybe it would help build a rapport if I purchased an item or two. I began to rummage: A massive rubber butt-plug would make a lovely minimalist doorstop, but I was worried that the dog might chew on it. The black latex tank tops had a certain je ne sais quoi, but were strictly off limits for Scoop: As a devotee of Carole Jackson’s Color Me Beautiful system and a swatch-carrying “Autumn” the darkest I can go is chocolate brown.

I’m not the least bit surprised this reporter got the greeting he did, and from the article it doesn’t seem as though Mr. Doonan was actually that surprised either. The generous among us might be willing to smile and nod at his instincts, though as he says himself, the benefit of the doubt can be a hard thing to give in a culture so used to being vilified and ridiculed by members of the press.

This reporter does touch on a potentially engaging discussion when he asks readers to ponder the question Is it possible that the mainstreaming of the sadomasochistic aesthetic killed The Noose? However, like much of the rest of the article, this speculation seems to be one that misses the purpose of shops like The Noose.

I think it’s safe to say that most of the patrons of such mom-and-pop fetish stores don’t shop there just for the fashionable clothes. We might be able to buy leather cuffs and bondage belts from Urban Outfitters, but I have yet to see silicone insertables make a splash in fashion.

Furthermore, the mainstreaming of the sadomasochistic aesthetic is hardly new. What we know of today as punk, goth, and even grunge fashion has its heritage in the culture of leather bars from decades long since past. So every day when I walk in Union Square I see teenagers wearing their Urban Outfitters branded leather cuffs and I wonder if they realize that they’d be flagging top or bottom in another context. I wonder if “Scoop Doonan” would realize it, too.

(Via Lolita.)

(Do you know of a news item that you don’t see mentioned in our archives and want to share? Please send it in! Or even better, send us your own opinions.)

TES meeting: The Anatomy of a Scene

Over at TES’s Novice Group, a long-running presentation called The Anatomy of a Scene is being presented.

Join us for one of our most popular meetings, a live BDSM scene with full analysis and commentary. We are excited to have the very beautiful & talented (and pretty darn evil), Pro & lifestyle Domme, Mistress Trish with us, as well as everyone’s favorite masochistic board member, Thrash. The meeting will start with our guests telling us a little about themselves and answering a few questions. When the scene itself starts, they will do their best to juggle “headspace” with “being coherent” and let you know what they are thinking while they are actually playing. Finally we’ll have an in depth Q&A with them, where they will be answering all of our questions about the scene we just watched. This one should be crowded so come down early!

Of course, it’s always important to keep in mind that what might feel “right” for one person might not feel the same way for somebody else, so I would suggest that this presentation be taken as an opportunity to view an example of a scene rather than be considered a dissection of what a scene “should be like.”

That said, who wouldn’t want to see Mistress Trish and Thrash play together?

GMSMA meeting: S/M Orgasm

GMSMA’s first meeting of the Fall 2007 season gets started with a (very pleasurable) bang! The meeting is called S/M Orgasm and promises to introduce or reacquaint you to a number of delectable kinky delights.

Are you yearning for bondage? Felt the thud of a flogger? Been wrapped like a mummy? Locked in a chastity device? Get a taste of these and other s/m delectables at our S/M orgasm evening.

Dark Odyssey Summer Camp 2007

If you’ve not yet heard of Dark Odyssey, it’s description is mesmerizing.

Imagine a vacation where you can explore the many facets of sexuality in a private, intimate community of like-minded people. A wholly unique experience which brings together sexuality, spirituality, education, and play in a fun, supportive, non-judgmental, diverse environment where fantasy becomes reality.

[…]

Dark Odyssey is a 4-6 day, all-inclusive, clothing optional Alternative Sexuality retreat for open-minded adults from all walks of life. We gather to explore, learn and play on two hundred very private and secluded acres in Northern Maryland.

However, registration for Dark Odyssey’s Summer Camp is nearing a close so register now if you can make it this season. If not, there’s always next year. :)