Dirk Hooper

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I can remember the first time I discovered the large slick fetish fashion magazines of Europe. Nearly 20 years ago I found a rack of magazines that had “Skin Two,” “O” and “Marquis” among others. I was endlessly fascinated by the art, clothing and fetish lifestyle articles in these magazines. The photos in those magazines literally changed my life! Needless to say, those early experiences in discovering the fetish world through foreign magazines have been a guide and inspiration in my own work ever since.

It’s always bugged me that America didn’t have a magazine of its own to contribute to the fetish world at large. Given the amazing diversity and the size of the fetish community in America, there are an endless number of stories to tell and up until recently, those stories have been untold. I recently received the first issue of a new magazine that focuses on the American fetish community named “Von Gutenberg”.

Headquartered in San Francisco California, “Von Gutenberg Magazine” is named after Publisher Erik Von Gutenberg. The magazine has a blend of articles and photography that looks at fetish fashion, models, artists, events and lifestyle movements in the fetish, art and BDSM community. “Von Gutenberg” is presented in the same slick and exceptional format that we have come to expect from the foreign fetish magazines, and naturally, the photography is incredible.

The inaugural issue has profiles of several fetish world personalities including models Heather Vandeven, Athena Fatale, Ava Garter, Anastasia Pierce and Marissa. Fashion takes a prominent place in the issue with features on designers Emilie Jerard and Atsuko Kudo, plus fashion houses Antiseptic and Polymorphe. If you like fetish photography, there are articles on Justice Howard, Violet Photography and Silent View, the model and fashion articles have some amazing photos by Lithium Picnic, Allan Amato, Harmony Nicholas, Gallery Serpentine and Wildone Photography, and Erik Von Gutenberg himself, among others.

There are plenty of reports in the first issue of “Von Gutenberg” that give an interesting cross-section of current trends in fetish culture. There is an article on “Tattoo Fetish” by icon Charles Gatewood, who might know a thing or two on the subject. The report on Steampunk fashion was the first major work I’ve seen on the subject, and a good indicator on how “Von Gutenberg” is covering the fetish world in a refreshing way. Issue One of “Von Gutenberg” also addresses upcoming events, fetish Down Under, fetish in Europe and the fetish art of Armando Huerta.

Those of us who love fetish and who have longed to see a publication that represents the United States perspective have a reason to celebrate. “Von Gutenberg Magazine” takes the beautiful European fetish magazine archetype and both honors what has come before, and expands the format in new and fresh ways. Given the state of publishing in the digital age and the added importance of supporting quality fetish work in general, I would highly encourage you to ask for “Von Gutenberg Magazine” at any place where you buy magazines. If you can’t find it on the newsstand, you can order it directly online at www.vongutenberg.com.

Article written and copyright 2010 by fetish photographer Dirk Hooper
www.DirkHooper.com