The bottom line: the rise of sado-masochism in London

Erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey has sparked huge new interest in sado-masochism. Jasmine Gardner and Millicent Binks look at a spanking new phenomenon
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Bondage, discipline, sadism and masochism — perhaps not the ideal foursome for a dinner-table discussion topic. Yet BDSM is the acronym on the lips of Londoners at the moment, thanks to the erotic novels Fifty Shades of Grey and its two sequels by west London author EL James — whose tales of billionaire businessman Christian Grey and his submissive lover Anastasia Steele have sparked an interest in spanking in the capital. It has sold three million copies across all formats and currently occupies the first, third and fourth spots on Amazon’s bestsellers lists — and a film is in the pipeline. Sales of sex toys are also up, with the UK industry now worth £250 million a year.

More than just a tickling with the end of a riding crop, by the time readers are two-thirds into the second book, Fifty Shades Darker, Ana is discovering her lover’s range of weapons, including a “spreader bar with ankle and wrist restraints”.

Writer Barbara Amiel, 71-year-old wife of ex-Telegraph owner Conrad Black, clearly reaching that same scene, was quoted this week as saying, “the question of whether it is truly sexually gratifying to have a Wartenberg pinwheel roll over your nipples while handcuffed to a stretcher bar with a ball gag in your mouth is something I hadn’t really thought about in the sheltered life I lead”.

It is perhaps this which has made the book intriguing to many to whom the eroticism of pain has never occurred. The result? Increasing numbers of Londoners flocking to S&M classes and clubs. We round up the experts educating the capital behind closed doors.

The Professional: Madame Caramel

In a direct reversal of the Fifty Shades of Grey set up of dominant man and submissive woman, Madame Caramel knew she was a natural dominatrix when she met a man who begged her to spank him. In previous relationships she had always wanted to be dominant — but her partners didn’t like it. Now she is a professional dominatrix, who sees spanking as more than just a job and insists it can be good for you. “The spanker’s brain releases endorphins, as well as the spankee’s. It’s very stress-relieving and exhilarating for both parties,” she says.

“I’m here to accept people as they are and to listen to whatever fantasies or desires they have and to fulfil them — but I do not have sex with my clients. The reasons people like to be spanked are different: sometimes there’s the enjoyment of having a maternal figure, sometimes it’s because of the pain itself — but I love how people are able to let go in my presence.”

Madame Caramel also hosts a club night, The Black Whip, and runs a kinky “dungeon-style” apartment complete with all the spanking gear for those who want to give it a go in private.

For club details, visit theblackwhip.com. For the apartment, visit hoxtondungeonsuite.com.

The Teacher: Renée Denyer

Renee Denyer holds monthly spanking classes and workshops at London’s Sh! boutiques. She is halfway through the second Fifty Shades novel. “The books have been brilliant for raising interest,” says Denyer, “although some people who already live the submissive lifestyle 24/7 have said they found Ana’s character too silly, they wanted her to be tougher.” Denyer’s last workshop was attended by 30 students, more than usual.

Denyer started the classes because customers buying paddles and whips in Sh! had questions on etiquette, such as “How and when do I spank?”, “How hard do I spank?” and “Will I do any damage?”

“Most people are not as hardcore as Christian Grey in the novels, they’re just getting into it,” explains Denyer. Her classes cover all these basics, along with how to set the scene — and lets you practise with different implements while drinking champagne. “Some people have an interest in spanking but want to take it up a notch,” says Denyer. For them, and because there is “ever more demand”, Denyer has a class led by a professional dominatrix starting in July.

Renée advises pupils to warm up the buttocks by patting or rubbing them in a circular motion — to ensure it is pleasurable rather than painful, and to pick a safe word other than “stop” — it can be mistaken for being part of the submissive game.

sh-womenstore.com, 020 7613 5458.

The Craftswoman: Bert Gilbert

A master craftswoman and artist, Gilbert stuffs, stitches and paints tongue-in-cheek spanking implements called Bottom Blushers. The stuffed leather arms and hands are designed for good spanking momentum and to produce a satisfying slapping noise — as well as a bit of comedy value. “They are somewhere between dominatrix equipment and a toy,” she explains.

Gilbert’s designs attract a wide clientele, including Marilyn Manson, and customers can order specially made designs in various colours or prints, or with their own tattoos painted on to the arms. Since the success of the Fifty Shades novels she has had several bespoke orders.

Gilbert has also created a spanking show for the public and can be booked for parties, in which she and a group of resident spankers improvise a performance in which they wallop guests with an assortment of slapping styles including running up to the target and discus-throwing style. Gilbert says “it’s a great source of exercise and release”.

Bert’s Bottom Blushers can be bought at Coco de Mer, 23 Monmouth Street, WC2. Bertindustries.co.uk.

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