Celene Nox
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I'm Not at GFB - and here's why 😎
🕑 Added 2025-05-30 10:09:35 +0000 UTCThis weekend is German Fetish Ball in Berlin. The gallery here shows me on the runway during the last years. For everyone not familiar with it: What is it? A weekend with multiple parties (Thursday Savage Wear Fetish Night, Friday Kitkat Party, Saturday GFB Ball), where everyone comes together to celebrate and most people also use the chance of everyone being in one place to have photo shoots together. I'm seeing stories of almost all my friends being there right now - and hey, no FOMO! - but I'm at home. Here's why:
1. Summer is already so busy, so it's not a bad idea to have a weekend off in between. Berlin isn't exactly around the corner either. It's 6h drive one way if the traffic is good or the train is not delayed. Instead, I was in Munich for Boundcon last weekend. And I'll be in London for Torture Garden in the fall. I'm at WGT festival in Leipzig next weekend. It would've been so much driving through all of Germany within 3 weeks, having Munich, Berlin and Leipzig in a row - always being back home for work in between. And of course I'll be at Amphi, Wacken and M'era Luna as well. Busy summer, as I said.
2. Simply because after what felt like 10 times attending GFB, the event last year didn't give me anything at all besides seeing friends. The trade fair always features the same 10 exhibitors plus 12 new generic harness "designers". Of course I'm exaggerating here. But the point is: You've seen it all before. You can see it all at various other trade fairs, too, where you don't have to spend an entire day, 8 hours, or so, traveling. And I usually don't feel like going to KitKat on Friday either, because of the queues and the overcrowding.
3. Saturday is always completely torn apart by the runway rehearsal in the (after)noon, which you have to drag yourself to more or less hungover. And between the rehearsal and the "you have to be back by 8 p.m." before the shows in the evening, there's not really time to do anything. Basically, you just drive back and forth between your accommodation and Spindler & Klatt (the party venue). I never really did photo shoots there in the past for that reason, either. Just too stressfull overall.
4. Last year, after the show I walked in, I was sitting backstage and had zero desire to go over to the party. In the end, I didn't. 
I didn't feel like this overcrowded, you-have-to-squeeze-through-everywhere atmosphere, with music at such a volume that it ruins any conversation. Sound like old people whining? Yes!^^ But I preferred sitting quietly backstage with friends and talking nonsense. And honestly, I don't have to go to Berlin and hang out in the cold, damp backstage - or the hot sweaty backstage, depending on the weather - for that; I'd rather do that in peace on days when everyone actually has time.
At least Inner Sanctum had provided plenty of snacks last year and the crew was dope, that's why I'm always happy to walk for Inner Sanctum. The event organizer on the other hand only provides water for the models, nothing else.
5. Costs. Travel costs are rather high with that distance (going to Berlin by train on a bank holiday weekend is no fun, neither is sitting behind the steering wheel for hours being stuck in traffic so I'm usually opting for train nevertheless). Accomodation costs. Food and beverages, party entries... it adds to the tab. I'm happy to pay this if I'm having the time of my life, but as indicated in the previous points, I didn't have that in the last years.
You don't get paid as a model. Not that anyone is expecting it at this point, the designers being usually 1-2 person companies with no marketing budget. (Again thumbs up for Inner Sanctum for giving the models a gift voucher at least!) If I tell this to anyone outside our scene, people are shocked that no one is getting payed. "Why are you doing this" is the question. And the honest answer: "For fame and fun".
But yeah, these are all the reasons. Why am I writing this in such detail? Because it seems like a shocking scenario if I answer with a "no" when being asked about whether I'll attend GFB. I feel like I have to justify the decision because everyone seems to unquestioningly consider it the holy grail of the fetish scene. Which, for the reasons mentioned above, I don't see that way. I know that a lof of people love GFB, always having the best time there, and it's really cool that they do!
But if I had to choose a fetish party to attend, I'd always opt for the SubRosa Dictum parties in Muich. Way better than the GFB party in my opinion. High-class venue, decoration, and organisation. Beautiful people. The best crew. I've been there again last weekend and was happy to be back.
Comments
Celene Nox
I was at the Savage Wear Cocktail Night last year (since it finally took place Thursday and not Wednesday, so I could attend) and it was nice, yes! Was not impressed by the bar quality though haha, but here's the venue to blame. Have loads of fun at WGT, say Hi is you spot me. 😉
LaForge
Thanks for sharing some behind the scenes info [I had no idea models don't get paid] and your personal views. I've attended GFB for the first time in a decade this year, and while there were great attendees in excellent outfits, the extremely overcrowded venue was really annoying. Especially after the fashion shows were over, they do not reuse that [largest] hall but close it down, forcing everyone to squeeze in elsewhere. And yes, the ratio between ultra loud music dance floor and space to hang out and chat with new and friends is just wrong. The unrelated but time wise coinciding [thursday, in parallel to sonic boom] Savage Wear Fetish Night on the other hand got everything right: Not too crowded, majority of space for sitting or standing together and talking either friends, dance floor not ultra loud, ... - you might have enjoyed it. The music was literally exactly like visiting a Berlin goth club 20 years ago. And yes, my impression of the fair is like I recall it from 10+ years ago: Nothing special. Was curious to see it again after a long time, but won't go there again in the future. WGT is for sure the much nicer atmosphere to meet people. But then at least to me it's very different as it's of course not as latex focused as GFB. I like both the goth and the fetish communities independently.. Looking forward to it in a few days.
Mike
Cool, if you’re not at GFB, I’ll see you over there! Just kidding. Love these pics, and the story makes sense. Elisanth in the back of pic 3 was neat back then! Use to like her stuff shared on tumblr. Anyways, there should always be snacks for the cat characters. 😻🤗
Celene Nox
I know that I don't really have to justify it, especially not here. 😊 But I've been asked it sooo many times in the last few weeks and when I said no people couldn't really understand it at first.
William Lenton
I feel a little sad that you feel you have to justify to people why you don’t want to go. This should be your choice at the end of the day! Please take comfort in knowing that people here understand and support you doing what’s best for you. As that’s the best thing you can do, I think. Hope you have a great weekend!
John C Ford
Well stated.
Stein Erik Paulsen
You don't have to do or defend anything. This is about having fun with clothes and looks. You do it as long as you find it fun ❤
Thomas Hain
Gut ausgeführt. Bei mir fiel dieses Jahr (als Münchner) die SRD weg, weil einfach Zuviel direkt hintereinander ist.
Philip Leadbitter
Thanks for the honest insightful thoughts. And I 100% agree with you on the loud music issue (not been to GFB but it happens everywhere), would much prefer to kick back with some drinks in a quiet venue with friends and be able to chat without shouting. Hope you have a chill weekend at home
