Fenella Brown checks out the art of seduction at a BDSM class in Hoxton Square.
(Picture of Miss Myers)
Whilst discussing my fantasy of finding a new career, one that doesn’t require working eight hours a day – five days a week, a friend jokingly suggested that I learn the seductive art of being a Dominatrix and set up shop in a lock up garage, kitted out as a dungeon.
Being open to any suggestion on how to escape a nine to five existence, I accepted an invitation to join her at a BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Dominance and Submission – or Sadism, Masochism) class held at Sh! Women’s Erotic Emporium www.sh-womenstore.com in urban chic Hoxton Square. Formally home to the YBA (Young British Artists), it’s now a super cool and rather expensive spot of green space, surrounded by bars and restaurants.
It took me a while to locate the discrete (from the outside) shop selling an array of fascinating gadgets and equipment for women to titivate, tantalise, and keep pelvic floors toned. I was met by the lovely Bobette – a slender man wearing full makeup and a tennis skirt with long striped stockings. Bobette handed me a glass of Prosecco and a cupcake, and invited me to take a seat with the other ladies.
Laid out on the table was an array of feathery and fluffy objects including assorted handcuffs and fine silky ropes; and a selection of nipple clamps that vibrated or administered low level electric shocks. After inspecting the gadgets we were ready for our first hands on demonstration – how to apply the handcuffs and attach a rope to lead your fella around the room by.
We paired up and practised tying knots before enticing our female partners into pink furry handcuffs – all the time ensuring they were within their comfort zones. That was a kind of icebreaker before Miss Myers, our teacher, ratcheted things up a notch…
From techniques on attaching bootlaces to your man’s nether regions to nipple clamping, I have to say that the class was pretty varied and hands on. You would be surprised at what you can do with a piece of string and a little know how.
Then there was Bobette, the real life model.
“Bobette has a knack for putting people at their ease, particularly ladies who might be a bit nervous about attending the workshop.” She said. I have to agree with her – he really was a good sport and because of his outfit it didn’t feel awkward having a man in our midst.
I attended out of curiosity – but even if I was planning to make a living from wearing a vinyl frock, charging big bucks to whip a gimp, I didn’t feel that this particular workshop was going to help me. I could see that these events would be great for a hen night or girls’ night out, so I asked Miss Myers what was the original idea of the class.
“Firstly, BDSM is not only for extremists. Many of the arts of the Mistress can be applied very effectively when it comes to spicing up foreplay in the bedroom.
“Secondly, I want to suggest that we all have an inner seductress or femme fatale and that finding her can be a very liberating experience.”
I’m sure that when my classmates practise their new skills on their partners, they will certainly feel liberated – sadly, I will probably have forgotten how to tie a reef knot by the time the occasion arises for me to put it to the test!
For more information about classes on offer from Miss Myers contact: www.houseofmyers.com