ANN Summers welcomed women and couples to their first in-store masterclass in Cardiff on Tuesday evening.
The Beginners Guide to Bondage master class hosted in Ann Summers’s Queen Street store, greeted 13 eager ticket holders with a glass of champagne and the promise of a cheeky giggle and learning a trick or two to spice up their love life.
Expert Alix Fox, a sex journalist who is based in London, led the class. She is also the UK ambassador for Durex.
With a table full of demo products, Miss Fox used visuals and humour to engage the group and asked for volunteers to demonstrate products such as blindfolds.
Miss Fox spoke highly of the “SCS rule” when couples try to engage in BDSM activities. She explained: “These are three important rules every couple should use when they are considering introducing BDSM into their relationship.
“Firstly be Safe, you need to care for each other and know when to stop. It also has to be Consensual; you need to communicate constantly to each other what you want. And finally Sane, because this is can be dangerous and doing it drunk is not a good plan.”
The evening progressed into talks of sensual deprivation, bondage and spanking. Although the discussion was frank, it was also insightful and taught most people a thing or two.
The expert made herself available for questions, while most of the group made use of their 20 per cent discount across the store.
One of the couples attending the evening were very pleased with what they learned. Harrison and Jodie Tomaszewski, 23 and 20, said: “We used to improvise before all this became popular, but knowledge about BDSM is improving. We are excited to go home!”
Kerry Davies, 42, who came to the class with her partner, said: “I was apprehensive at first but it was a laidback atmosphere and really informative and fun.”
Ann Summers staff were very excited to have Miss Fox host this event. Claire Aherne, store manager and Dominique Dyer, assistant manager said: “This was a diverse, fun and entertaining experience and it was great to have it here in Cardiff.”
This masterclass is part of a series run by Ann Summers taking place over the next month. They are aiming to educate those who are interested in BDSM, but also to resolve any misconceptions people have because of Fifty Shades of Grey.
Miss Fox said: “It’s undeniable that Fifty Shades has started many a conversation about BDSM for thousands of people. If it’s helped folks explore S&M in a sensible way, then I welcome that.”
The expert was happy with the turnout for her first public class and how warmly she was received. She said: “I hope they went home brimming with ideas and armed with tools from the delectable Ann Summers arsenal of playthings and ended up feeling so on top of the world that they needed an extra canister of oxygen to cope with how thin the air is up there!”
