London whipped the "No sex please, we're British" attitude into submission Friday as leather and PVC-clad punters squeezed into the world's largest adult lifestyle fair.
Erotica 2007, a three-day fest at the giant Kensington Olympia exhibition venue, is expecting to attract more than 80,000 sexually curious visitors for its 10th annual event."Romance, seduction, divine torture -- whatever you desire we can provide," programme editor Carol Milligan promised.
"Sleek designs and couture creations -- from pendants to corsets to life-size sculptures are among our selection from thousands of products on offer at this year's show: fashion, lingerie, footwear, jewellery, toys, films, art, books and games, not to mention fetish furniture and equestrian equipment."
Visitors cruised around the 250-odd stalls, with all tastes catered for among the sexy outfits, toys and erotic foods.
Exhibitors included Angels in Uniform, Be Rude Not Too, Bound 2 Impress, E Stim Systems, Erotic Hedgehog, Fairy GothMother, Inch by Inch, Kiss Me Deadly, Monkey Spanker, Proud Peckers and Supreme Sausages -- who simply did some of the catering.
On the main stage, global burlesque icon Dita Von Teese -- ex-wife of US goth rocker Marilyn Manson -- was giving her only British shows this year.
The 1940s-style American performed her seductive Bird of Paradise, Carousel Horse and Feather Fan dances.
Elsewhere, visitors were treated to fetish presentations, public demonstrations in body art, human statues and advice from the guild of erotic artists.
Petra Joy gave "How To Shoot Your Lover" masterclasses in how to shoot home-made erotic films, with technical advice and practical pointers -- such as getting the lighting right.
Lovers looking to spice up their sex lives could attend 30-minute foreplay lessons to "make your weekend go with a bang!"
If the eye-popping array of sex toys on offer were not enough, punters could try to design their own.
And if it all got too much, punters could relax with a stiff drink at the Climax Bar.
Everyday-looking couples of all ages mingled with extravagantly dressed visitors.
Among them was "Beastie", who arrived at the Olympia in jeans but changed in the men's toilets into his Big Teez leather straps and netting outfit, complete with a thong and peephole nipples.
"I've been told by security to cover up my bare backside," the 53-year-old truck driver told AFP, pointing to his newly-bought fishnet hotpants, which just about did the job.
"But there's loads of women walking around with everything hanging out."
It did not put the red-and-white-haired trucker off though and he was by no means the only fancy dresser among the sequins, frills, feathers, revealing outfits, skintight PVC and thigh-high boots on parade.
"It's daring, decadent fun and sexy, that's what Erotica's all about," chief executive Richard Thompson told AFP.
"It's very much above board. You get all types of people here. People have been having sex forever; let's celebrate a great experience.
"We're a responsible portal for people to come along and understand and maybe experience new things in a very relaxed environment.
"We embrace all facets of the industry but we don't endorse any particular one. We're not judgmental."
He said more than 60 percent of attendees were women, with more than 50 percent of those coming being married couples.
"It's about shared experience and fun," he said.
Tickets range from 17 pounds to 25 pounds (35 to 51 dollars, 24 to 35 euros).
Source-AFP
LIN/P
