Let's face it, due to recent increases in popularity and the general acceptance of fetish (in commercials, advertising, etc.), the fetish scene itself has become filled with gawkers. Which means that at many events, instead of having participants made up of gorgeous rubber-clad doms or French maids in spiky heels, many aren't even dressed up at all.

One exception that remains is the Skin Two Rubber Ball weekend, which was held earlier this month in London. What began 11 years ago as a single party has now turned into three parties, a two-day expo, and a private VIP shindig. After hearing about it for years, I finally was able to make arrangements for the transcontinental trip, and I was excited to be introduced to this weekend of perv-dom.

These few days are considered the high holy days of fetish to most who actually journey to the dreary city of London. The events are fairly pricey, with each of the activities ranging from 6 pounds (the Expo, each day) to 30 pounds (the Rubber Ball).

Activities began on Friday night with a new opening event, Torture Garden’s Hardcore, held at the historical Electrowerkz in Islington. About 500 people came to dance, drink, meet, greet and play. It gave attendees a chance to talk, catch up and be seen. The attention paid to dress code was made clear, both by the people at the door (who searched to make sure that we would be attired properly) and by the people on the dance floor (who showered us with dirty looks as we came in our street clothes).

Saturday was the first day of the Skin Two Expo. Ninety vendors and a few thousand people strolled through the Barbican Exhibit halls. Even here, people were dressed to the nines. There was plenty of room to explore, shop, and try all the wares that booths had to offer. Along with the shopping, you could also rest your tired feet by watching one of the performances taking place upstairs including bondage demos by San Francisco's Fetish Diva Midori and London comedian Ivor Dembina.

Saturday night's festivities were produced by the world famous Torture Garden and held at the Colosseum, Vauxhall. Along with the great music pumping in from the main dance room by DJ Allen TG, one of the highlights from that evening were the many beautifully bound women, in several different bondage demonstrations by Fetish Diva Midori which continued for several hours in the main dungeon area. Boy, did she have a line of waiting and willing women.

Of course, Skin Two’s Rubber Ball, which takes place Monday night, is the culminating event for the entire weekend. Held at the Hammersmith Palais, the Ball features fire dancers, performers, and fetish superstars. But the Ball’s main attraction is, of course, the fashion show produced by Torture Garden. This year’s designers included Defy the Norm, Atsuko Kudo, Libidex, Madame S by So Hip it Hurts, House of Harlot, Inner Sanctum, and the brand new Torture Garden Clothing Label.

While the majority of Rubber Ball attendees were on their way home to rest and relax, those associated with the event were on their way to the fabulous VIP post party hosted by Club Rub. Not surprisingly, this was the best party of the whole weekend. The main show was finished, everyone could relax and really party. We lit it up till 7 a.m. Tuesday morning, still with most of us wishing that it lasted just a bit longer. Till next year, London!