“Picture your partner stretched out naked on your bed,” he says, “then put boots on them. Sexier, right?” JD of the Two Knotty Boys looks at you with his handsome dark eyes and winks. I’d say he has a boot fetish. And he ain’t the only one! My dear friend Mistress Minax, who served as bootblack judge at a recent leather conference, owns over 40 pairs of boots herself! It certainly fits her Dominant persona. Fetish or fondness, boots are part of the sexual identity of most Leatherfolks I know.

As a dominant woman, I would not step into my dungeon without high heels, preferably black and shiny pumps. For me, it is a matter of taste and imprinting. During my psychosexual development, I formed a strong link between heels and female power. My mother always wore them and the rapid click of her stilettos meant she was home and in charge of her domain. Of course, I got my own just as soon as she permitted it. They added instant sexiness to my walk and accentuated the curve of my ankles.

To this day, I feel that heels and black stockings compliment one another perfectly. I love the ultra-sheerness, smoothness and sensuality of real stockings! There's something inherently sexy about putting on a garter belt, drawing stockings seductively up my legs before sliding my feet into four inch black patent leather stilettos. Four inches is quite high for a size 6 ½ foot, but after all, some shoes are not made for walking!

As far as how the power of your fetish affects you, to each their own! High heels are a Dominant symbol for me. However, for Stephan-ie, a cross-dressing submissive, ultra high stilettos excite her because she feels so unstable and vulnerable in them. And that’s just how she wants to feel: innocent, and yet looking to be defiled, in lace panties and bra, standing at the edge of the bed. She is so turned on, ready to be bent over and fucked like the hot slut she is. Looking in the mirror, she sees the woman she is in that moment as her Mistress has her way with her.

Playing with fetishes can be edgy, exciting and powerful. In my early days in the dungeon, submissive men noticed my high arches. When they offered to worship my feet, I laughed but gave it a try. I was in for a sexy surprise! It only took a couple of sincere devotees to convince me that foot and shoe worship turns me on. I enjoy lips slowly pressing and kissing the soft shiny leather of my Italian shoes. When I permit tongues to lick the instep of my foot, I get shivers up my spine.

Many have the desire to worship; everyone can learn how to please their Dominant. Gentle guidance and clear communication is key. I have often delivered detailed instructions on how to please me to naked men on all fours. I discovered that having my toes sucked doesn’t do much for me, but inserting all five at once into an eager mouth to suck is a lot of fun. I also enjoy long, sensual licking of the sole of my foot in the steady hands of the sincere, naked foot slave kneeling in front of me. I let him know that if his attention waivers, I will not hesitate to kick him sharply in the balls with the top of my bare foot.

It is the willingness and ability of the Top to receive pleasure, met by the desire of the bottom to provide it, that generates sexual sparks between you and your partner. That’s the fabulous stuff of which great scenes are made. I can’t say I am a true foot fetishist, but I sure enjoy dedicated worship.

Now Bill is a self-defined enthusiastic boot fetishist. His own boots are impeccably kept. Of course, he does them himself and has learned the fine art of bootblacking. He may not wear the most expensive boots around, but they do stand out! His attention to detail speaks well of his sense of discipline and responsibility. And he is always putting his best foot forward! He often volunteers for my Academy’s classes. During a demo on fetishism and devotion, he surprised me when his fetish took him to a place of true spiritual worship.

That afternoon I was wearing the magnificent black boots that once belonged to Cynthia Slater, one of my mentors. I collared him, grabbed his short hair and lowered his lips exactly to the top of my right foot almost touching the fine leather. “Bill,” I said, “these are very special boots. They belonged to my late friend Cynthia. A community pioneer, she founded the Society of Janus and blazed the path of female dominance for me and many others.” I felt Bill's focus intensify. When I allowed his lips to caress the boot encasing my right foot, I truly felt the gratitude and reverence of his worship. His devotion was so pure that tears came to my eyes. It was no longer about the boots; it was about her spirit. The power of his worship transcended the act, and touched my heart!

I took a deep breath and increased the tension on the short leash attached to my collar, bringing him closer yet. “Now do the left boot for me, boy,” I said. “I want pleasure.” The boy was good. His worship changed from solemn to very sexy. I was getting all turned on, and I noticed he was too. When I pulled his hair back up, he was blissed and so was I. As I removed his collar, I noticed a bit of sadness in his eyes. “Thank you. You served me well. Until next time we play.” He bowed his head and just said, “Thank you, Madame, it was my honor.”

One way or the other, our entire culture seems to have a fetish for footwear: Even Crocs just came out with a boot! Plastic, as far as I am concerned, won’t do. In my world, fine leather rules. After all that is what I’m talking about when I end my columns with

In leather pride, with heart,


Cleo Dubois

www.sm-arts.com









When not writing for ALT, Ms. Dubois enjoys mentoring couples in private, guided play at her SF Bay area dungeon. You'll find her couples page at:
www.sm-arts.com/coaching/index.html

Cleo Dubois Academy of SM Arts offers:

Erotic Dominance Weekend Intensive for Dominant Men & Men Who Switch
October 4-5, 2008 at the SF Citadel
Dominate with presence and passion, competence and compassion.
Hands on Training! Class limited to 9!
Teachers: Cleo Dubois, Eve Minax and Selina Raven
Details at www.sm-arts.com/intensives/men.html
Apply at www.sm-arts.com/intensives/form-men.html

Erotic Dominance Weekend Intensive for Dominant Women & Women Who Switch
November 15-16, 2008 at the SF Citadel
Gain the confidence you need to make your scenes soar!
This intimate weekend puts it all together, the heat, heart and spirit of conscious BDSM play.
Hands on Training! Class limited to 9!
Teachers: Cleo Dubois, Eve Minax and Selina Raven
Details at www.sm-arts.com/intensives/women.html
Apply at www.sm-arts.com/intensives/form-women.html

Going to Folsom Street Fair this year?
“San Francisco Leatherfolk and Body Modifiers, a Retrospective in Images with Cléo Dubois and Fakir”
September 23, 2008 6 - 9PM
Center for Sex and Culture
www.centerforsexandculture.org


"Community in Leather Pride, Then & Now." Cleo Dubois, Fakir & Friends
Thursday, September 25, 2008 8-10:30 pm
SF Citadel
www.sfcitadel.org

For updates go to: www.sm-arts.com/upcoming