Contents New to London? Nearest tube Mile End. Backstreet has a strict dresscode of full leather or rubber and a private open-air smoking area. The atmosphere is laid back and the decor's horny. Note though that boots hanging from the ceiling make an obstacle course for anyone over 6'2". There are two distinct areas.
Not any more. Such overtly sexual outfits are increasingly being seen on the world's catwalks. This week they will take centre stage at the World Creative Forum, as part of the London Design Festival, where fashion gurus will hail the growth of fetishism in fashion. As festival director Ben Evans put it: 'The underground has become overground. One of the speakers at the event, labelled simply 'Sex', is fetish expert Rubber Ron. He set up the fetish night Submission almost 20 years ago.
Photo courtesy of David TG. Remember the opening club scene in Blade? Imagine that, but instead of men in short-sleeved bowling shirts and Kangol hats, you have guys in rubber jock straps and stilettos. Women in corsets and pasties rather than capri pants and pleather jackets.
No one was allowed in unless they were in rubber, leather, uniform or drag — no street clothes at all. It was another world. We had no idea at the time, but fetish people were everywhere.