I'm Not at GFB - and here's why 😎

This 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.