Essen Fetish Evolution Weekend 2008 - Fetish Evolution Party

Photos by Michael Diamond and Lady Venus (LV)

Easter, named for the goddess Eostre (the Saxon pagan goddess of fertility) could not have been a more appropriate date for what had been described to me as one of last year’s best fetish parties in the world. The Essen Fetish Evolution Weekend, held in Essen, Germany, was four days of fetish celebration with some of the kinkiest and best (latex and leather) dressed people from around the world. The guest list included top names in the Fetish industry, models, photographers, clothing designers like HW-Design and DeMask, publications such as Marquis and Massad, and hundreds of international lifestyle fetishists.

Imagine four full days of living a fetish lifestyle and surrounded by hundreds of like-minded people. This was easy to do in Essen, as it seemed as though nearly everybody stayed at the host hotel, the Hotel Bredeney. It was common to see latex-wearing people roaming the halls or having a bite in the restaurant 24 hours a day. Making the hotel even more ideal was the decision to host the two-day fetish and art exhibition on the same premises. What better way to start the morning than a good German breakfast while wearing your latex and high heels, followed by a stroll down to the Expo to buy a new flogger, and then a visit to two separate fetish art and photography exhibitions. Then, after a morning and afternoon of shopping and people watching, the real parties began!

The first night began with a champagne meet and greet, where all of the industry insiders were invited to socialize before heading to the “Night of Decadence” play party. We decided to head to the bar rather than go to the play party, as the flight from the US and time difference proved to take its toll on us the first day. Later, however, we learned that the Friday night play party was ended abruptly by the police because of an ordinance about playing music on the religious holiday, Good Friday. Thankfully, that seemed to be the only time that the holiday weekend interfered with the fetish event.

Saturday was the first day of the Expo and Art Exhibition. It was a nice size venue for the crowd, and more intimate than some of the larger expos we’ve visited recently, including the Skin Two expo and the Expo at the Barbican. Photographers showed their work in an adjoining hall, and included work by Christophe Mourthé, Peter W. Czernich, and Christine Kessler to name a few.

The Saturday night pre-party was held in the Lokschuppen in Bottrop. No fetish party seems to be complete without some performances to entertain the crowd, and this party was no exception. Leading the night with a little bit of pony play was the beautiful equestrian Jean Bardot and her pretty little pony Anastasia Pierce, clad in red latex with a leather harness and bit. Jean led her pony onto the stage and taunted Anastasia with her big black strap-on “carrot.” She began stroking her dildo to the music, and it wasn’t long before she ejaculated all over the stage (and a little bit on the audience). I climbed one of the adjacent balconies to try to get some interesting shots but the distance and smoke-filled room did not offer me the best shooting possibilities. This weekend, however, both Lady Venus and myself were offered photo passes so She was able to get some great photos of the show which I missed.

Following the show, we took the opportunity to photograph some of the guests and models who attended the party, such as Emily Marilyn, Ruby Luster, Darenzia, Toxica, SadEast, and Marie Kalista. The second performance of the night was a half-suspension of Anastasia Pierce by Amrita. While bound in her transparent latex, Anastasia was taunted, tweaked, and even had her tongue twisted with a pair of Asian Mistress Amrita’s wooden chopsticks. The final performance of the night was a latex polishing scene with fetish model Rubberstar and her friend Alexander Buffalo, along with her rubberdoll Sissidoll in a shiny blow-up fantasy.

Sunday night was the Nuit Bizarre dinner and after party. Held in the Fabbrica Italiana, a gorgeous venue with an industrial ambiance, this party was one of the best fetish dinners I’ve been to. The atmosphere was seductive, the dinner was superb (my filet was perfectly prepared), and the shows were sexy and timed between each course to keep the evening going at a nice relaxed pace. The talented showman Paul Nathan was emcee for the night, along with beautiful fetish model and performer, Darenzia. Situated in the center of the room was a raised stage that was surrounded by tables of guests all wearing beautiful and elegant fetish clothing. The night started with a playful bath with fetish goddess Jean Bardot wearing a black latex cat suit, hood, and gloves. One well-prepared diner even offered her a yellow rubber ducky which Jean gleefully played with (along with a black rubber dildo).

Following Mistress Jean’s tub show, Anastasia Pierce followed with a different sort of bubble bath. She seductively drenched herself in a shower of pink champagne as she stripped of her latex dress to the delight of the audience. Darenzia gave us a treat as she engaged in some sexy strap-on play with her submissive Ruby Luster while wearing a ring mistress-inspired latex suit. The final performance was a beautiful double suspension of the lovely nude Emily Marilyn and Ruby Luster. After the show, there was a play party on the lower floor, but the crowd thinned out rather early and we called it a night.

After another late night, the final day’s all-day brunch was a welcome treat. We knew that the last night’s party would be even later and with a very early morning flight to consider, we wanted to eat well and take some time to relax before the ultimate party of the weekend. The party was held in one of the largest venues we’ve been to, the mudiaART which we have been told used to be a foundry. This gorgeous venue had an industrial ambiance that included a cathedral-like main area and many smaller rooms and catacombs. From a photographer’s perspective there were a lot of amazing backgrounds and interesting settings to shoot all of the sexy models and guests.

Many of the world’s premier latex designers and houses of fetishy fashion-forward attire presented their newest designs to a well-dressed crowd. The night kicked off with DeMask, offering an eclectic array of styles that all had the distinct and timeless DeMask feel. In the second slot was a new designer who we first encountered in London, Heather of Overt Clothing. Her 1950s inspired latex collection was a hit in her first major runway show. HW-Design blew the crowd away with their all-star fetish model lineup including Jean Bardot, Anastasia Pierce, Kumi Monster, Darenzia, Bianca Beauchamp, Mistress Amrita, and Emma Lee. The collection included an array of pink, black, and translucent leopard latex fashion. To bring the first half of the fashion show to an end, the Brigitte More collection was showcased. Half the models wore black, the other half wore white, and in a change of pace this collection did not include latex. This elaborate production included hot girls in ball-cages, a sexy goddess on a swing, and lots of lace and flower details on the wardrobe.

After a short break, the second half of the fashion show began with the Fetish Universe collection. A smorgasbord of color and design, this designer seemed to have a little something for everyone. Following was Maria Sander with her retro-inspired pin-up creations in colorful latex. Next was Bondinage, with a smaller array of designs. The blue and white latex-encased models played with balloons and were chased around the stage by a balloon popper. The final fashion show was an extravagant production by Tolllkirsche. Complete with a lovely Fay Wray-esque blonde beauty leading enormous fly-like leashed creatures onto the stage one at a time. The futuristic designs featured waist cinchers and elaborate hats and head-pieces. The hats were designed by Les Incroyables.

The party lasted well into the morning hours, but alas we had a flight back early the next day so were not able to stay until the end. There are over 300 photos in the gallery which will give you a much better appreciation for the event than words could ever describe. After attending our first Fetish Evolution, I’m inclined to agree that this is one of the best fetish parties in the world, and we’re looking forward to going back to Essen next year!

Please share a link to ErosArtist.com with any fetish friends who would like to see photos from one of the greatest fetish parties on the planet!

Fetish Evolution Weekend was sponsored once again by our friends at FetishMovies.com.