Rubberella backstage at Torture Garden

Sure, there are some hot fetish parties in North America. To be honest though, nothing compares to what's going on in Europe. My personal favorite is the blow out weekend fetish exhaustathon called the Skin Two Rubber Ball Weekend that happens each fall in London. I fact, I'm still in London as I write this.

Without fail, the annual migration of the out-of-town and out-of-country pervs into London marked the start of this year's festivities approximately a week prior to the big party. If you're a serious fetishist you have to make a trip to a big Euro fet fest at least once in your life -- consider it a kinky pilgrimage. Here are some tips and tales to help make it the best time for you.

Six months before the big event, you need to start making some serious plans. By now you'll know the theme for the main party. Skin Two announces the details in their magazine and web site at least six months in advance. Take the time to come up with a really cool outfit. Place your custom outfit orders with the perv wear designer of your preference now. You want to be early in their production line before the fetish high season rush swamps them later in the summer/fall. A month before the ball is too late to order a new outfit. Don't know any good designers? Check out the Skin Two Directory. Right now the dollar is really weak, so you'll do better going through North American designers. Buying new togs in Euros or Pounds will really take a bite out of your wallet. These links are some of my favorites:

Kumi backstage at Torture Garden

Vex Clothing Fetishwear.net Puimond Northbound Leather

Prefer DIY? Then you should start putting it together and plan for the shipping early! Don't forget to pack your glue gun with the converter/adaptor for UK.

Flights to London can be pretty expensive. Many major on-line travel services have automated bargain notification features. You just put in the city desired and they'll let you know when the prices drop. Try Travelocity, Expedia, and Priceline.

What to Wear? You can't possibly get wild enough. Trust me on this one. Go to the Skin Two and Torture Garden web sites and you'll get the idea. The Euro kinky crowd do not hold back. You're a punter if you decide on a plain black latex tank dress or a black shirt with leather pants. Over-the-top outfits get the attention and admirations. It is a fetish party after all -- and people are there to strut their stuff. Make sure that your plumage is wild. Showing up with an amazing outfit and a devil-may-care attitude is your ticket to meeting cool people and getting invited to more fun -- of the private variety.

Empress Stah and Valaria back stage at Torture Garden. Just before Empress Stah shagged the hell out of Valaria on stage.

A lot of Londoners and Euro pervs are pretty fit. It's all that walking and cobblestones. But it's not so much a body-beautiful youth-cult culture that some parts of the States can get. Got a hot bod and a boring outfit? You're going to flop. They'd rather love and adore the imperfect body in the most outrageous outfits. This year at the various events, particularly at the official cocktail party, I noticed several pretty young things with hot bods in sexy but tame fet wear glumly sulking around the edges. They watched with confusion the older, less than hard-bodied guys and gals get lavished with attention. Cute alone does not cut it here. You must have an outrageous sense of style, wit and a great smile.

Make sure to pack the right shoes. Unless you aspire to be a wall-flower, you're going to be on your feet a lot. These parties are multi-roomed, multi-floored, mazelike extravaganzas -- all with stairs, many with cobblestone floors and no elevators. Six-inch stilettos might be sexy and fine for teetering through some small American kink venue, but you'll be exhausted long before the party ends. Try plat forms, thick heels or wedges. Or do like Kumi does and go for flip flops with latex outfits color coordinated to them.

Midori backstage at Torture Garden

Speaking of when the parties end... Most of them go until 6am. Then you might end up at some after party and after-after party. Take care of your feet. Use those gel insoles or any other product to help your feet last longer. If you're a dominant, look around for foot massage slaves. There are a lot of them there. (This year I was too busy with a really hot scene with Emily Marilyn and didn't get that foot massage promised to me!) Most parties have a coat check so consider wearing your "outside" shoes and then changing into your party shoes.

Four Months Before: Have you checked in with your outfit designer?

By now the other weekend parties, such as Torture Garden, Club Rub and others are shaping up, so check the event listings, and plan some more outfits. Pack a few extra outfits or be prepared to buy some new ones in London for that fabulous invite-only party that you just might get invited to!

Think about where you want to stay. The hotels there are really expensive. Consider gathering friends and renting an entire flat or a house. It's very cost-effective and you'll save loads with your own kitchen. That way it's also easier to just get pervy or let all your sex toys lay about.

Glamorous at the Skin Two Expo

One Month or Less: Your outfits should be ready or near to ready. If you have loads of stuff, think about shipping it over early. International travel allowance for luggage is smaller than for domestic travel, so watch the weight of your bags. Schedule a massage or spa treatment for the day after you return from your trip. You'll need it. Make sure that your cell phone works over there or think about getting a phone once you get there. This will be vital for successful party-hopping.

Want to make some new friends or make some play dates? Start hanging out and posting on the local on-line boards. Let your desires be known.

London Fetish Scene
Informed Consent
Ginger Beer
London Fetish Fair

So now you're almost ready to leave for the big event! In the next issue find out about how to meet sexy pervs, score kinky bargains even with the sucky dollar, and how to do everything you want at the Rubber Ball weekend in 72 hours.

Midori is a globetrotting kinkster who parties and teaches cool classes on fun sex and wild kink all over the world. Check out her latest book "Wild Side Sex: The Book of Kink" or go to her site at www.fhp-inc.com. Send letters, responses and questions to Midori at midori@fhp-inc.com.

Diva's Debauchery - by Midori

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