FetHistory

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Paula Klaw — Makeshift Dominatrix!

Willkommen zurück Fet History fans!

Paula Klaw and Bettie Page - Richard Perez Seves

Last week, if you’ll recall, we took a look at some of Irving Klaw’s Masked Women, circa 1950, but there was one particular masked woman I left out.

In a 1980 interview with the late Gloria Leonard (editor/publisher of High Society magazine), Paula Klaw came clean:

GL: Did you ever pose?

PK: No, but I filled in here and there when a girl didn’t show. I’d put on a little mask.

GL: Did you ever feel as though you were living out a fantasy of your own?

PK: I guess so. Oh, sure, it was fun and I enjoyed it. I was glad when someone didn’t show up so I could do it.

One such occasion Paula may have remembered with fondness transpired 30 years earlier, circa 1950, with the BF-1 Series. See below:

Irving Klaw Bondage Series BF-1, Richard Pérez Seves

Irving Klaw Bondage Series BF-1 with Lois Meriden and Paula Klaw

So which model was Paula Klaw replacing? A masked woman we’ve seen before? Amy Lane? Shirley Levitt? Or Shirley Maitland?

We may never know. But, as history has proven, Paula was a trooper—a woman unafraid of stepping up to the plate. And, like her brother Irving, she did understand that this was just about fantasy and play.

Her “damsel” in this particular instance was Lois Meriden, who never looked more beautiful ... or sweetly feminine.

This next one is my favorite. With the soft play of angles and the model's lilting surrender.

And now as the villainous intentions heat up.

(Making use of that mirror.)

Predicament accomplished. All in a day's work.

Irving Klaw bondage model Lois Meriden, Richard Pérez Seves

I guess we can all thank Paula Klaw for donning the mask.

When destiny called, she answered!

Until next week!

—Richard Pérez Seves

=> Index ~ of FetHistory ~ From the Beginning:

http://fethistory.blogspot.com/p/1.html

>> Peek inside the Charles Guyette tribute <<

Charles Guyette: Godfather of American Fetish Art
** 2018 Expanded Second Edition **

>> HERE <<

* * * * * *

Peek inside with Dita Von Teese:

==>> HERE <<==

Dita Von Teese, Instagram, Charles Guyette: Godfather of American Fetish Art

Reviews:

"If New York collector, writer and fetish historian Richard Pérez Seves had not decided to assemble what he knew about Charles Guyette (along with a substantial selection of images) into this paperback, this influential forerunner of the genre's better known exponents would have continued a lot longer as the great unsung hero of American fetish art."—Tony Mitchell, thefetishistas.com

"If you're at all a fan of fetish art ... then this book will be right up your alley." —kinkweekly.com

"I've often cited John Willie's gals as my biggest fashion inspiration but I'll have to start tipping my hat to Guyette as well."—Dita Von Teese

Charles Guyette: Godfather of American Fetish Art, Expanded Second Edition

+

NEW RELEASE!

> Available Now! <

Bondage Enthusiasts Bound in Leather [Expanded Edition]

=================================

Also Available (Worldwide)!
GENE BILBREW REVEALED

>> Learn More <<

GENE BILBREW REVEALED by Richard Pérez Seves

Also Available Now (Worldwide)!
Sweeter Gwen, The Return of Gwendoline
by Eric Stanton
>> Learn More <<

* * * * * *

Thanks for checking in. Hope you'll join me next time....

Cheers. —Richard Pérez Seves

=> Index ~ of FetHistory ~ From the Beginning:

http://fethistory.blogspot.com/p/1.html

_________________________

* * * * * * *

FetHistory - Home | Instagram

www.instagram.com/fethistory

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Irving Klaw’s MASKED WOMEN!

Whoa! Stop the press. What’s going on here? Could it be another bizarre fantasy scenario enabled by psychodrama theater impresario, Mr. Irving Klaw?

In fact, it is!... Welcome back!

Here again we have Shirley Levitt and Ruth Field in another look at the impressive 1950 series, referred to in the past.

The D-400 series, as you’ll recall, also features Loraine Durane in some early, striking Klaw images.

Loraine Durane, Shirley Levitt, Ruth Field

This is Loraine Durane. With the paddle.

What is it about a mask that lends such arresting interest and power? Seems to tip the viewer into an alternate dimension. Masks rule!

And while we're on the subject, here we have Eric Stanton's masked fantasy interpretation, commissioned by Klaw and presented in 1953. (Duchess of the Bastille … later renamed Cruel Duchess of The Bastille, in Nutrix book form.)

Coincidentally, right away we can see the advantage that artwork has over "real life" enactments. For one thing, no one ever needs to be hurt when we play in the theater of the imagination.

Eric Stanton, Duchess of the Bastille, Irving Klaw

But back to 1950 and live models!

Irving Klaw's masked ladies would not end with the D-400 series. His HK-1 series*, advertised in the 31st Edition of Cartoon and Model Parade, also featured masked shenanigans. See below:

Irving Klaw, Jackie Jones, Betty Whitney, Amy Lane

Mystery woman unmasked!

Turnabout is fair play.

Of course, the image of the masked woman in leather was, like most "bizarre" iconography, of European origin, which may account for part of its exotic strangeness to American sensibilities. The image below was among those sold by Irving Klaw's predecessor, Charles Guyette. (Before he was sentenced to prison.) Quite beautiful, wouldn't you say? Yes, those boots are insanely cool.

Until next week! Cheers!

—Richard Pérez Seves

=> Index ~ of FetHistory ~ From the Beginning:

http://fethistory.blogspot.com/p/1.html

>> Peek inside the Charles Guyette tribute <<

Charles Guyette: Godfather of American Fetish Art
** 2018 Expanded Second Edition **

>> HERE <<

* * * * * *

Peek inside with Dita Von Teese:

==>> HERE <<==

Reviews:

+

NEW RELEASE!

> Available Now! <

Bondage Enthusiasts Bound in Leather [Expanded Edition]

=================================

Also Available (Worldwide)!
GENE BILBREW REVEALED

>> Learn More <<

Also Available Now (Worldwide)!
Sweeter Gwen, The Return of Gwendoline
by Eric Stanton
>> Learn More <<

* * * * * *

Thanks for checking in. Hope you'll join me next time....

Cheers. —Richard Pérez Seves

=> Index ~ of FetHistory ~ From the Beginning:

http://fethistory.blogspot.com/p/1.html

_________________________

* * * * * * *

FetHistory - Home | Instagram

www.instagram.com/fethistory

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Oh Those Kinky, Kinky Boots!... Circa 1950

Well, last week I said I might be back with an Irving Klaw “damsel in distress” series I may have missed. And here’s one. It features, among others, model Vicki Hayes. Remember her from last week? This time around she’s wearing what may be the coolest “thigh laced” high heel boots ever. (Consider the year: 1949/1950) The EE-1 series also features lesser known Klaw models Rose Erna and Lynn Lykles.

Irving Klaw model Vicki Hayes vintage boots, Charles Guyette

Who may have supplied these boots? Well, some might suggest the remarkable (and mysterious) individual known as "Little John," who not only paid for these early Irving Klaw sessions but supplied his sophisticated aesthetics as a fetishist. But I know it to be Irving Klaw’s predecessor, Charles Guyette, who by now earned his living solely as a "theatrical" costumer.

"Theatrical" is right. Because at the heart of Fetish Fantasy (just as in Burlesque) is theater: an indulgence in role play, melodrama, and costuming.