Nowhere is this more apparent than with the models who wear the corsets, latex, and bondage gear and sport the tattoos and piercings associated with various fetishes.
Many fetish models don't involve themselves in sexual activity for the camera. Rather, they focus on the art of the photo or film, but are still considered part of the adult industry. Fun fact: unlike the conventional world of rake-thin models, fetish models span the gamut in body shapes and sizes. In this arena, breasts and hips are decided bonuses, not debits -- and hallelujah for that.
Herewith, a brief introductory roll-call of the some of the most famous and infamous fetish models through the past few decades.
1950s: Bettie Page
While she wasn't the first fetish model in the world, she was the world's first famous one. Her work, most notably bondage pictures taken with photographer Irving Klaw, brought the world to its knees -- and then inserted a gag ball in its mouth. Even cool cat Hugh Hefner lost sleep over how hot she made bondage look. And though the film sunk like a stone at the box office, 2005's The Notorious Bettie Page - directed by Mary Harron (American Psycho) and starring Gretchen Mol, solidified Page's rep as the grand dame of the fetish model universe.
1960s: Uschi Digard
Uschi Digard and her ample bosom busted out of Sweden for the U.S. after gaining a name for herself as an actress in some mildly erotic movies. When she got to the U.S., she became a favorite of camp director Russ Meyer, whose love of bounteously breasted women was legendary. Digard ended up starring in four of his movies. Meyer wasn't her only fan either; many breast fetishists hold her up as an example of a woman with the perfect natural rack. However, her skill as a cunning linguist (fluent in six languages) proves that she wasn't just a body without a brain.
1970s: Sarah Foster Tate
If rubber is your thing, then you've probably heard of Australia's Sarah Foster Tate. If you haven't, take that rubber out of your ears! Tate's work in the 70s with bondage magazine production company, Harmony Concepts, made her an icon of the BDSM and rubberist scenes. From the demure rubber swim cap to being gagged and bound in kinkier skintight girdles, Tate has become something of a living legend in the community. Note to Australia: fewer Paul Hogans, more Sarah Foster Tates.
1980s: Simone Devon
Yes, Devon was a famous bondage model, but what she really wanted to do was direct and produce. After her modeling heyday was over, Devon went on to form Devonshire productions which produced 320 known films. These weren't throwaway porn flicks either but bondage films that creatively highlighted extremely tight and restrictive use of rope, leather and steel.
1990s: Eve Ellis
Some models may just dabble in the fetish world, but Eve Ellis is known for her specialty: exceptionally restrictive elbow ties (literally, when the elbows are pinned together behind the back). If Ellis reminds you of a starlet from yesteryear, that's because she is something of a throwback. In her own words "I grew up loving the idea of Glamour, the Golden Age of Hollywood, Pinup, old films..." Her own fetishes include stilettos, garters, lingerie, corsetry, latex/rubber, and restrictive outfits.
2000s: Dita Von Teese
A renaissance woman among fetish models, Dita Von Teese should be known for much more than marrying Marilyn Manson and being able to draw her waist down from 22 to 16.5 inches when wearing a corset. Her resume includes being a trained costume designer, published author, actress (both mainstream and fetish), fetish model, and burlesque star. Her love of restrictive period clothing stems from her college days studying historic costuming. Von Teese adds intelligence, a touch of old world class, and modern sass to the fetish world, prompting Playboy Magazine to say, "Not since Bettie Page has a fetish model inspired such passion as covergirl Dita Von Teese."
