The February edition of Lucrezia Magazine is out – According to Anastasia Mavromatis “To the Rainbow and Beyond presents the sexual diversity that existed (and exists) throughout history. Much can be said about the most recent discussions concerning amendments made to the US Constitution to reflect religious standards, and thereby prohibit same-sex marriage, but for this issue, we’ll stick to the positives and do what we do best, and that is to present a diverse collection of fine story telling, art, reviews and articles with a GLBT flavor.”

So what’s in the February Issue?

Art: Lucrezia takes you to Israel. This month you will see artwork from Israeli artist and photographer Raphael Perez. Raphael`s growth as an artist also reflects his personal experiences. His official web site, gaypaintings.com has had 25 million visitors, and grows by the day. His work is arresting, colorful, introspective, optimistic and socially significant.

Fiction: Our diverse selection explores unpredictable encounters, intimate rendezvous`, self-realization and unbridled passions, in many forms. Craig Sorensen adds a theatrical twist in Improvisation, prompting the question: who is the director and who is the actor? Mallory Path explores homoerotic intimacy, using her individual style to magnify heat, passion and libertinage. Claire Litton weaves a story that will tweak with your perception, exploring personal identity, loss and redemption. Kirsten Inani Kasai explores Sapphic passion, giving new meaning to the word ‘flash`; her story is like a bright blue flame, raising the bar for erotic flash fiction. A E Franzen returns this month with an epic tale that explores sexual dysfunction and (sensual) resolution, that will simultaneously resonate and arouse. Amanda Earl explores the resurrection of an older man’s passion and a younger man’s attraction, against the backdrop of Yellowknife mine.

Reviews: Eva Adivar explores the GLBT spectrum of sexcasts. From Evan and Paulie’s Gay Porn Talk, to fabulous Tranny Wreck, there is something for every one. I review a standout erotic anthology: Best Gay Erotica 2008 (Cleis Press), and our updated review of Polly Frost’s book (print and audio), Deep Inside, now includes an audio excerpt.

Articles: This month’s in depth interview with writer, poet and editor Alessia Brio, explores the Coming Together series of philanthropic erotic anthologies. Join Michael Cain as explores reciprocation, sex and the curse of the Ex in his essay Lost on a One-Way Street.

For Further Information Contact :
Anastasia Mavromatis at editor@lucreziamagazine.com Eddie Ostrowski at armailto:artsubs@lucreziamagazine.com

Tags: Lucrezia Magazine, erotica, erotic magazine, erotic art

When you`ve found your perfect partner the possibilities are endless. Aren`t they? But what if you want to indulge yourself and your partner to the full and act out your wildest fantasy? It`s not like you can just pick up the Yellow Pages and look up a company in the “Wildest Fantasies” section now is it … well actually you can!

The Fantasy Company was started by Jim and Jen because they found themselves in the same predicament as numerous other couples. They wanted an intimate service but had no way of knowing who to approach, or if they could find someone who offered to fulfil their needs, who they could trust.

In their case it was when Jen said “I’d love to get some sexy photographs taken before everything goes South”. A simple enough task you would have thought, hire a photographer, attend a shoot and have the images blown up for the picture above your bed. But think about it; How do you know the photographer is competent for such a personal shoot? Do you know that they, the lab, or anyone else involved in producing your wall art or treasured erotic album is discreet and reliable?

That`s where TFC come in. As Gav, one of their team, told us “We are approached by photographers to shoot for us on a regular basis. [however] we don`t just let anyone work for TFC.” Gav went on to explain that the criteria they use for the selection of what might be termed “Fantasy providers” is rigorous. It doesn`t matter whether the provider is supplying a still –photo shoot, adult movie experience or pole dancing lessons. If the team at The Fantasy Company don`t think that they are competent, trustworthy and discrete The Fantasy Company will not use them.

Trust is a word that came up throughout our interview with TFC. To fully enjoy your experience with TFC you have to feel at your ease. When you are relaxed you can have fun and that, after all, is what The Fantasy Company is about!

The range of products offered by TFC is broad, covering many of the fantasies that you might already have contemplated. Prices start at than £39 for “taster” fantasies and increase with the complexity and nature of your dreams. If you can`t see your fantasy on their site they can construct a fantasy to your exact specifications.

Browsing their web site you can see the thought and care that has gone into creating this very personal service. If you decide that an adult fantasy is for you and purchase one from TFC you`ll be in for a treat.

If you opt for one of their “Fantasies In A Box” it will arrive in a deliciously pink presentation box (See inset image). A mark of the care TFC take to ensure you feel special from the moment your fantasy begins.

Select something a little more special, perhaps a kidnap fantasy, and you`ll meet the friendly and fun-loving team (left). They manage to combine a matter-of-fact and professional approach to each fantasy with an obvious joie de vivre that puts anyone at their ease. TFC were featured recently on Bravo`s “Sexorama” show as they designed and executed a kidnap fantasy for a lucky couple.

There`s an openness about the company that permeates everything they do too. From the website, where each fantasy is clearly priced, to the atmosphere in the companies offices everything is designed to ensure that the whole Fantasy Company experience is relaxed and fun.

The company`s website is currently in the process of a redesign. Suze had a sneak preview of the new one and was very impressed. We can`t wait to see it go live.

So how do you purchase a fantasy from TFC? Well, via the website, call them on 0870 0663583 or pop in to Harrods. Yes that`s right Harrods. If you want to see just some of the products that TFC have to offer (including Burlesque Dancing, Belly Dancing and Pole Dancing courses) you can pop down to Knightsbridge. If you`re there on 13^th or 14^th of February 2008 you`ll be able to meet some of The Fantasy Company team.

Browsing the web you will find a huge number of people trying to sell you something. Sadly what they are selling is rarely unique and original. Even the most creative of web sites often sell products or creations little different from those available elsewhere on the web. There are certain themes which recur, not always a bad thing, but sometimes lacking in originality.

Then occasionally you come across a site that shows you something one step beyond what is normally available. Or in the case of AMF Korsets, huge strides beyond what you`ll see elsewhere.

AMF Korsets don`t just create corsets, there are collars, wings, masks and items that while classified as one of the above don`t really seem to fit into those categories. They are creations of an inspired mind, some might say a tortured mind. I can`t look at them without thinking Tsubasa, Giger, Bruegel even.

Take for example his work, “The Four Pony Girls of The Apocalypse”. Is famine a commentary on the ultra-skinny models favoured on today`s catwalks? Or is it just a great corset and piece of clubwear. I find myself not really caring in many respects as some of the pieces on the site are staggeringly beautiful, appealing to my goth leaning and macabre aesthetic tastes.

I find myself getting lost in this site, partly because the navigation can be a little hit and miss, but mainly because I constantly want to see more of this guy`s work. Wearable art is a phrase used on the index page and I can`t disagree, these are pieces that would hold their own in any exhibition and are practical (in the right setting) as items of clothing. OK, so you wouldn`t wear them to the office, but you might wear them to an interview, LOL.

Louis Fleischauer has fashioned some of the most amazing and emotionally evocative pieces of clothing I have ever seen. Take a look here.

Tags: Louis Fleischauer, AMF Korsets, Tsubasa, Giger, Bruegel

I`m a big believer that in most cases lex parsimoniae, the simplest solution is the best. Although there are some fantastic sex toys out there, sophisticated and innovative, often the most satisfying of experiences comes from the simplest of things. And you don`t get much simpler than the Bondage Tape supplied by ETL on BondageTape.com.

The tape is made from PVC and as the site informs us “It sticks to itself – not your skin!”. This is something we`ve never tried, maybe ETL would like to send us some to play with (hint, hint).

Plenty of people have tried the tape, and sent their images into the company to be displayed in the gallery section of the site. Amateur models, male and female, have wrapped themselves in the tape, creating anything from simple blindfolds to whole outfits and sent in images of themselves to ETL.

Do you fancy doing the same? Well, ETL have created a nice little incentive for you to do so:

“We are looking for amateur male and female models to pose for photoshoots, if you are interested please forward a photo and contact details to sales@bondagetape.com or send them to the address on our contact page.” – And they’re offering free bondage tape in return

See BondageTape.com for more details.

Tags: bondage tape, mummification, bondage, clubwear, fetish fetishwear

If you`re struggling to find a gift for the one you love this year, you might want to spend some time looking at this site and considering what they could do for you. “For just £99, you can re create your favourite boudoir shot from our gallery of pictures, enjoy a mini makeover and take home your very own exclusive 7×5″ sexy print to cherish forever!”.

The offer only applies to shoots taking place between 3 & 7 December 2007, so if you want to take advantage of the special offer, get moving now!

The company was originally founded by Alexandra Burns and is based in High Wycombe. They are expanding and have recently opened a studio in Kennedy Street, Manchester too. For Your Eyes Only have a comprehensive range of services that, according to their press release, “empower women and improve their self confidence, by capturing their true beauty and making the most of their body shape-whatever it may be.” The emphasis is on providing a service that the female clientele will be comfortable with, including an all female staff to ensure you’ll always feel at ease.

Even if you don`t manage to squeeze in a quickie before Christmas you could do worse than considering one of their range of packages designed to suit all bugets. FYEO have been around since 2002 and now have an impressive gallery of intimate and tasteful portraiture on their site. Clients give them rave reviews and they`ve even been featured in the national press.

For further information email info@fyeoportraits.com, or call the “Christmas Quickie Hotline” on +44 (0) 8700 801 790.

Tags: photography, intimate photography, boudoir photography, boudoir portraits, boudoir portraiture, For Your Eyes Only, naughty Christmas gift idea

The classic 1976 poster of Fiona Butler is back. And this time it`s a limited edition.

If you were around in the summer of 1976 you`ll know that the UK got hot, bloody hot. Temperatures rose, reservoirs emptied and there were stand pipes in the streets. Then on a tennis court in Edgbaston in Birmingham Martin Elliot made things just a little hotter.

With some borrowed tennis whites and his then girlfriend Fiona Butler as his model he put a roll of Kodak film in his camera and took the photograph that ended up on two million posters. The image first appeared in a 1977 calendar, but the image really caught the public`s eye when Athena bought the rights to use the image 1978. Elliot was shrewd enough to retain the copyright, while re-licensing to them on an annual basis starting in. So when Athena went into receivership in 1994 the poster disappeared from sale. Elliot chose not to re-licence the image and apart from the usual car boot rip-offs it`s been unavailable ever since.

The image itself has, some would say, a certain innocence about it. OK, so she`s not wearing any knickers, but it`s suggestive rather than explicit, teasing rather than pornographic. Personally I like the image for all sorts of reasons, not least because Fiona has downy rather than perfectly smooth waxed legs. But the primary reason is I suspect that as I was a little young for the poster at the time of its first publication. I therefore wasn`t allowed to buy one and put it on my bedroom wall, whereas some of my older friends were. Damn, all that pubescent longing.

A number of celebs are fans too from Ricky Gervaise to Charlton Heston, who apparently has a framed copy on the wall of his LA tennis court. It`s easy to see why. The image has been described as timeless and iconic, and it is both.

Well now I have the chance to own the image again. The print run, limited to 1850 copies, will retail for £300. Expect to see them on Ebay soon. I just checked and originals are selling for around £90 (GBP). Who knows what signed limited edition prints will sell for.

If you want one of the 1850 you should visit Pyramid Posters.

Better still, if you would like to give away one of the posters as a competition prize you can get one (in exchange for branded editorial space) from Bonnie Turner at Publicasity +44 (0) 1442 261199. Be quick as there are only ten available.

Tags: Tennis Girl, Tennis Girl Poster, Martin Elliot, Fiona Butler, Pyramid Posters, Publicasity