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 R-i-i-i-i-p! If you're a lover of leather, latex and other wonderfully tactile fetish wear, it's a scenario that sends shivers up your spine—you're getting ready for that munch or that dungeon play party you've anticipated for weeks, when suddenly disaster strikes. Maybe you've tugged too hard on the corset string, or got your leather chaps caught on something, and you hear that horrible rip or snap that signals damage to your favorite piece of gear, the one that makes you feel like a sexy god or goddess among lesser mortals. Well, don't freak out quite yet—there may be hope for that cherished fetish costume, in the form of latex repair guy Stephen Hitchcock.  Hitchcock has carved quite a niche for himself by operating his own fetish wear repair service out of the East Bay, specializing in latex clothing.We talked to Hitchcock (obviously a fetish clothing enthusiast, whose drag name is Tami) about his business, his lifestyle, the difference between fetish wear scenes in San Francisco and London, the impact of the recessed economy on the lifestyle, and what kind of miracles he can work on your favorite damaged gear. Eros Guide: How did you first become interested in fetish gear, latex in particular? Stephen Hitchcock: I first got turned onto quality latex fetish clothing at the original Demask store in Amsterdam back in '94. At the time Demask was much larger than any other latex retailers and their quality and selection blew me away. I bought a really cool purple rubber corset, leggings and leotard... it was so exciting because it really fit like a second skin and I had never felt anything quite like it. EG: What made you decide to go into latex repair? SH: The urgent need for it, especially stateside. As most of the major latex clothing retailers are in Europe and the UK, I grew tired of having to ship my outfits overseas and wait a month or longer for them to be fixed and shipped back. North America really needs to catch up to Europe in the latex clothing market, and not only its own latex, but also with more companies creating and marketing and promoting the stuff. EG: Do you make a living at it, or is it mostly a side job? SH: It's pretty much a side job at this point, though since recently moving to San Francisco from Seattle, I have had a significant increase in repair orders, I'm happy to say. Also, I think as the economy rebounds in the years ahead the fetish retail scene will also kick into high gear again. EG: Do you travel much? Have you ever worked in London or abroad? SH: I've gone overseas perving many times over the years, going to the Skin Two Rubber Ball weekend, Torture Garden bashes, as well as to the Europerve fetish ball in Amsterdam a couple of times. I've looked for work overseas as well, but EU immigration laws make it difficult for Americans to work there. EG: How would you compare the Bay Area fetish scene to the London scene? SH: In terms of what people wear, latex is definitely the material of choice in London, whereas in the Bay Area (or anywhere stateside) clubbers may wear leather, PVC, or anything goth or costume theme-ish, for that matter. And although latex is catching on more and more in the States, I don't know if it will ever rival the UK.  It's probably that there are so many large and established companies in London making latex clothing such as Skin Two, House of Harlot, Inner Sanctum, Libidex, Murray & Vern—egads, the list goes on and on. Perhaps it's that folks in the UK are just more hardcore rubber perverts! This seems to be the general consensus among my London friends anyways. As you know, if you go to any TG event in London most people are dressed in rubber.On another note, I would also mention that the UK/European club scene is a bit more hardcore, from what I've seen. Take a major TG event for instance: they may have over a thousand pervs going nuts (say, at Mass in Brixton) with several themed rooms in a converted gothic cathedral, for chrissakes! The TG events are always excellent, and I highly recommend them. What's really cool is that TG also helps produce events in big US cities (and Japan), so you can get a taste of Torture Garden stateside at big fetish events like the L.A. Fetish Ball, for example. EG: Can you give us an example of an average repair job? Do people ask you to do the impossible? SH: Typical repair jobs include repairing minor splits and tears in anything ranging from leggings to dresses to catsuits. Minor alterations are another frequent request. As for "impossible" repairs, what happens most is folks bring in really old latex that's turning white (a sign of deterioration), or has lost its elasticity. Such gear as this is simply too old and worn out and should be tossed. I have to explain to them it's time to get a new outfit… EG: How has the fetish clothing industry changed in the last few years, both in the US and the UK? SH: Well, for starters I think the economic downturn and wartime atmosphere has been hard on the fetish industry since 9/11. Luxury goods such as fetish attire need a strong economy to keep orders coming in. I think the worst is behind us, though, and things are looking up. Since the early '90s we have seen incredible growth and expansion in the number of fetish clubs, retailers, and people getting turned onto latex fetish fashion. Also, the quality and styling of gear available has vastly improved and will continue to do so. Better, more pervy times lie ahead for latex fans! If you need some work done on your favorite fetish gear, you can reach Steve at (510) 684-9663, or via email at .
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