Charity ball that stretches imagination to the limit
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Skin Two Rubber Ball, tonight, Hammersmith Palais
Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell squeak down the catwalk in rubber dress and fashion editors rub people up to the shiny, smooth fabric - yet for some, fetishism is still unacceptable outside the mainstream.
Fortunately this is the idea. "With fetishism you can get away from the fixed notions of beauty," says Tim Woodward, editor of the fetish magazine Skin Two. "For instance, that you have to look like Claudia Schieffer, with long blonde hair and a skinny build. Fetishism is about sensuality and sex, from a more intellectual and open level."
The Skin Two Rubber Ball is the largest party for fetishists, dominatrixes and slaves, with a door policy in similar vein -strict. Party-goers must stretch their imaginations and wear either rubber, leather, shiny wetlook, stilettos, corsets or drag. There is no law against it, which is more than can be said of the actions of many door policy enforcers.
"I'll be wearing a genuine San Franscisco police uniform, but I am not suffering from any delusions about being one - it is a temporary metamorphosis," says Tim Woodward.
Permanent metamorphosis, is more likely to be found in the mainstream: tattoos and body piercing and Fergie's toe-sucking are all driven by the desire to metamorph or do something different. Except at the Rubber Ball you won't find censorious voyeurism. "There will be women of 60-plus at the ball. They are not going to look like models - of course, or camp guys won"t be as suave as Julian Clarey. But this is sensuality for everyone," Tim Woodward says.
The venue has been decorated by Louisa Mansfield, who has been eyed approvingly by fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier at previous parties. This year the interior was designed over many weeks and with the aid of 15-20 people, described as like a textured womb, with things that pop out. There will also be a fashion show, dancers, prizes and fetish art, with the proceeds going to charity.
Skin Two Rubber Ball, at the Hammersmith Palais, 242 Shepherd's Bush Road, London, 10pm-3am. Tickets: 0181 968 9692.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments