The first London Fetish Weekend kicked off to a grand start with The Fetishistas’ Movers, Shakers & Stirrers Cocktail Party at new venue Resistance Gallery.

Run by Garry Vanderhorne, the man behind Lucha Britannia, this airy white space in London’s Bethnal Green was soon buzzing with the sound of a crowd ready to party.

Industry professionals, friends and enthusiasts were all happy to sample the free Triibe cocktails, along with cupcakes (iced by photographer Laura Billing) and chocolates handed round by latex-clad cocktail waitresses Samantha Stone and Veronika Valentine, their matching dresses created by the redoubtable Lady Lucie. Even Charlotte TG did her stint with a tray of Triibe shots!

Guest DJ db provided an agreeably left-field ambience with his cocktail of boogie woogie, jump and swing sounds, while the three stage shows displayed three very different aspects of the scene.

Killpussy gave a new twist to the classic schoolgirl and headmistresses fantasy, ordering “Show me your pussy!” to a techno beat. Chrys Columbine performed her famous Birth of Venus-inspired burlesque number, all silk and lace and classic opera.

Finally, Kazuya premiered her new heavy latex bondage show in Latexa outfits from new shop Zeitgeist Heavy Rubber, which left everyone quite hot under the collar. Especially — even though she wasn’t wearing one —  Mistress Veronica, who got a very special close-up with the DV camera! Watch this space for the full film, coming soon…

The dozen or more photographers were able to snap their friends and socialise all at once, as people kept on arriving until past 2am. “Eight ’til late” it was indeed.

Much credit for the night’s success belongs to Garry’s partner Daniella Vinci, who took on the job of event manager and, despite a fractured spine from a recent cycling accident, helped to ensure what was by any standards an amazing turnout for a Thursday night!

This first party not only augured well for the rest of London Fetish Weekend, but also made it extremely likely that we’ll see further collaborations between The Fetishistas and Resistance Gallery in the not-too-distant future.

This party not only augured well for the rest of LFW, but makes further collaborations between The Fetishistas and Resistance extremely likely