Bianca's RED SHOE DIARY
RUBBER BALL 2003
(Translated from french by our dear friend KosmikKreeper).
NOV. 2003.
As most of you already know, Skin Two’s famous Rubber Ball was held from October 1 to 7. Since Martin and I had so much fun last year we decided to go back to London and let loose at this phenomenal event. Even though I had a diary entry about last year’s Rubber Ball I thought you might enjoy reading my comments on this year’s event. Who knows? I might
convince a few o you to show up next year!
First of all, I should point out that the Rubber Ball week is comprised of many festivities. First, there was a fetish night organized by Torture Garden and held at the Electrowerks club on Friday. Even though Martin and I didn’t get much sleep because of jetlag (we arrived Thursday afternoon), we couldn’t wait to be there! That evening I wore black Polymorphe hot pants with a sleeveless transparent-black top, a shot black jacket, fishnet stockings and my 6” black
shoes. A look that was both sexy and athletic. Since we had been there prior, we knew what to expect. The club is divided into various thematic rooms with music to match. With dim lighting and torturous paths, it gives you the impression of walking through a labyrinth. People were dancing here and there or sipping on their drink chatting away. Others preferred doing some bondage or some S&M. Everywhere that I went there were people. I spent most of my evening with MissFuzzyBunny and 3XL. Strangely enough they were outside the club chatting when we arrived. Since I had already met her before (I did a shoot with her and 2 other women or the Lair. That shoot is now in the Vault.), I recognized her right away. I also met Sway and her partner, a new model that visits my forum once in a while. All 5 of us had fun all evening while Martin was hunting for good shots. I also had the opportunity to meet Masuimi Max and Emily Marilyn; both very friendly and easygoing.
The only negative thing that I could mention about the club is the uneven floor. Walking in high heels in this club is extremely difficult and leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Oh well, I knew what I was getting into from last year’s experience where I fell twice and even broke a shoe strap! I could wear running shoes next year….. I don’t think so! ;-)
We got back at around 6 am and tried to sleep. I did say try! After a few hours we finally fell asleep and woke up at 2 pm! It was time to get ready for the Skin Two Expo! No latex this time. I wanted to wear clothes that I could easily take off and put back on because I felt like trying on a few samples here and there. So I wore a silver catsuit ending in hot pants with fishnet stockings. I wore the same shoes as last night, to my poor little toes’ lament. ;-)
We arrived at the Expo at around 3 pm. Immediately when we got there, I met Shakespeare, one of my forum visitors. A really nice guy! Then we started our way down the rows of merchants. There were so many shops this year! You should’ve seen all the clothes! So beautiful! I would’ve bought everything! Let’s just say that I spent most of my time meeting fans and the designers present. Martin and I felt very lucky to be greeted so warmly. It seemed that our reputation preceded us and many people wanted to meet us. We were charmed. Once again we saw Zoé the latex boa designer (no website yet), Sandra, Liz from Skin Two, Mc Triumph and his partner (Mc Triumph often participates in my forum), John Dietrich the photographer who complimented my toosh, etc. It was lots of fun. But we ran out of time and didn’t have time to try out or buy anything! I told myself that we would be back tomorrow but I had completely forgotten that we had an appointment in the afternoon with the Inner Sanctum designers…
We got back to our hotel room at around 6 pm. No time for a nap because I had to get ready for our second soirée again organized by
Torture Garden. This time I chose my latex nun outfit; again by Polymorphe. It’s actually a short dress with long sleeves. I then accessorized it with a white latex collar, a black open-face hood and a black and white veil. I also have a garter with black thigh-high stockings and a brand new pair of shoes. It’s a laced and closed shoe that I call my “witches” shoes since they’re very pointy. I then added the final touch… a beautiful crucifix around my neck. What I like about this costume it that, since the collar and crucifix are separate items, I can wear the dress for other occasions.
The event was held at a club called Sahara Nights. And what a club indeed! It’s superbly decorated in a “belly dancing” theme. In a nutshell, it was one big room with a second floor with couches to relax on. There was also lots of room on the main floor to just relax and have a drink. The ambiance was warm and sexy. There was also a room for couples only. The music was pretty good (lots of variety) but Martin found it a bit loud (I wore a hood so I didn’t find the music too loud). There was even some 80s music which is quite rare during fetish events! 3XL danced with me for a while on the dance floor and then later on, on one of the couches on the second floor... without my shoes of course! That’s probably how I ripped both my latex stockings! But that didn’t stop me from dancing and having a drink with MissFuzzyBunny, 3XL, Sway and her partner, Shaun (he is the organiser of the famous annual B&D Ball at the Manray Club in Boston) and Martin. The people were very nice and well dressed. I couldn’t really tell you what people were specifically wearing but I do remember that the crowd as whole had an amazing energy!
We got back from the club at around 5 am. Suffering from insomnia, we decided to watch a few episodes of 24 (we have season 1 on DVD and it’s awesome!). We finally fell asleep at 8 am only to wake up at 2 pm. We were meeting up with Ana and Giles, the Inner Sanctum designers, so that they could take my measurements for personalized tailored clothes. I’ll spare you the details since it was mostly a business meeting. But I can tell you that they’re very nice people and perfectionists at that! It’s always fun meeting people and finally putting a face to the names.
After our meeting, we took it easy and walked around for a bit. We then watched a few more 24 episodes to finally fall asleep at 5 am! Yup! Insomnia again!
On Monday we got up at 6 pm. It was already time to get ready for the famous Rubber Ball! Since the theme was “Carnival Through the Ages”, I had previously decided to dress up as the little red riding hood. Once more with the help of Polymorphe, I decided to be completely in red (it’s now becoming a tradition since last year I was head to toe in a red catsuit). So I wore a T-shirt, short gloves, a fluffy short skirt, a waist clincher, a garter with thigh-high stocking and little ankle boots to match. And let’s not forget the little cape and the basket. What would be the little red riding hood without those two items??? As for my hair, I did two curly pigtails tied by little red latex ribbons. It was quite a costume, I must admit. I’ve wanted to play the little red riding hood for such a long time! You know how I like playing characters! Hehehe!
After meeting other people in the subway going to the Rubber Ball, Martin and I arrived for the opening at around 10 pm. Just like last year, the place wasn’t too packed at first and we could see just how huge it was. Finally a place where smokers and non smokers can
mingle without any problems! The ceilings are so high that the air doesn’t get filled up with smoke. The music was very good as well. Not too loud and quite varied. There was enough room on the dance floor to let your self loose. Always taking pictures, Martin was often hunting for beautiful costumes. Once again we met Baroness and I took a few shots together. I also met the same fun gang from my forum, MissFuzzyBunny, 3XL, Sway and her partner. I also saw the beautiful Sandra, Robert Flutty (the Kink in the Caribbean organizer), and models Rubber Eva and Kumi. I often got my picture taken by other photographers there and I have to say that, unfortunately, not all of them ask for your permission first. It’s not because I’m a model that I want to be seen in just any magazine! It’s a little bit disappointing. I also posed for Skin Two’s official photographer and many gathered around to watch me pose. I was flattered to say the least!
At around midnight it was finally time for the fashion show. As I previously mention, the theme centered on the carnival so as part of the decorations there was a giant clown face where the smiling mouth was used as the models’ entrance. On the program there was House of Harlot, Torture Garden (their show looked like a mini circus), Vex, Leftwear, etc. I was able to film part of it with my trusty little digital
camera. Martin and I actually had a great spot in one of the dance cages a little off the ground. All in all the show was superb!!! It made me discover new collections that I’m keeping in mind. What a show!
After that… and a few drinks….. there was another show. This time it was the gorgeous Lucifire coming to sing for us. And while she was singing someone was tying cables onto her back piercings (Lucifire is pierced many times horizontally in the back). Those cables where attached to the ceiling. When she was safely tied up, her body was lifted off the ground, and I mean way up! Someone was making her turn slowly with a rope and once in a while we could see her exposed back and the cables attached to the piercings. Once high up, she started to strip for the crowd! An amazing show where many were most impressed by her charming voice, her beauty and her audacity!
The evening ended at around 3 am. Like last year there was an after party but we were very tired so we decided to go back to our hotel. On top of that I was famished and had a headache. Once outside, it took us a while to find a taxi. At night in London there aren’t any restaurants opened or taxis to be found. Those are about the only 2 things that I don’t like about London! We finally found a taxi that charged us double the going rate and, as if by miracle, we found an opened restaurant! We arrived at the hotel at around 4 am but only went to sleep at 7 am. The following day, Masuimi Max gave Martin a call to see if it would be possible to do a shoot with me on Wednesday or Thursday but unfortunately, our flight was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Next time! We think that our next destination might be L.A. since we would like to meet many photographers and models living there.
That’s it for this year. With my diary and a couple of photos within it, I share with you my experience but also to try and convince you to come next year. The cost seems high, I do admit. But honestly, if you love meeting people, clubbing, dancing and having a few drinks, seeing all sorts of shows… well, the Rubber Ball week is for you! See you next year, maybe! ;-)
Bianca
xxx
Do you have questions/comments regarding this Diary Entry?
We'd love to hear your feedback in the FORUM!
AT THE RUBBER BALL:
AT ELECTROWERKZ:
AT SAHARA NIGHTS:
AT SKIN TWO EXPO:
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