“We started with a weekend and quickly realised that we wouldn’t contain it to just one weekend,” reigning Australian Leatherman Mike James says. He will compete at International Mr Leather in 2020. “Very quickly we realised we had ‘an extended week’ of events.”
In his acceptance speech at the Australian Leatherman competition, James said, “Melbourne and Adelaide have a growing and vibrant fetish community and they have their events, there is a need in Sydney for a similar event.”
The idea of Sydney Fetish Week was born that night in February.
James brought together several members of the fetish community who have been working on Sydney Fetish Week since.
The end of September is the focus and will feature fetish educational and social events. Workshops on boot blacking; rope master classes; rubber care; impact play; a discussion on the history; and opportunities for you to wear your gear. There will also be motorbike rides, an art exhibition, fetish lunch and a puppy mosh.
Sydney Fetish Week will kick off with Mixed Fetish Welcome Drinks at Bear Bar, hosted by Sydney Rubber.
Fet Art, at the Abercrombie Window Gallery Darlington, is curated by Rod Sydney, renowned Sydney scene and fetish photographer. The show will feature works by Christine Dengate, Sam Gatsby and Sam King.
The week’s activities wrap up at full-fetish social night The Hide, and one local ‘kinkster’ will be awarded the title of ‘The Pride of The Hide’ in recognition of their commitment to the fetish community.
Regular Sydney events – Non-Denominational Leather Social, Bingay, Harbour City Bears, Dykes on Bikes Annual Ball, Hellfire and Extra Dirty – have come on board as umbrella events to Sydney Fetish Week.
Some events are free. Others require a ticket. Check online for details.
All SFW events are inclusive, and all are safe spaces to express your fetish for all fetishes.
