Synthetic Beauty, Extreme Curves, & Fetish with Gil Perron
June 28, 2008 
BBAA: Do you think there is room for latex fetish imagery in mainstream magazines?
GIL: YES, jeez YES…. I have been telling that to everyone willing to listen for the past 3 years! much of the responsibility of this transition rests on the designers, as more designers use this material in the Couture lines…. it will trickle down into the mainstream… it will never replace blue jeans and it shouldn’t BUT I can easily see the clubbing culture embracing latex as a cool way to look sexy….and sweat!
httpv://youtube.com/watch?v=POenQwy5HmY
BBAA: Fetish vs Mainstream. A lot of people seem to say fetish (latex in particular) is becoming more and more mainstream and judging from the entertainment industry, it seems they are right: videoclips from Beyonce, Rhianna, Britney, and more artists all feature a lot of latex and films use the material very often in science-fictions and the likes. Yet, it has been argued on many web fetish forums that the more fetish is becoming mainstream, the more it is loosing its appeal for true latex fetishists. What’s your take on this debate?
GIL: Well, this ties in to the previous question…and to some extent is a sad reality. Again, I see a parallel with other marginalized lifestyles… think of the tattoo lovers… now everyone and their moms have tats, so in order for tattoo lovers to differentiate themselves from the masses, they have to go extreme… same with piercings same with everything. “marginal” is the new “norm”…. so while it’s cool to see more people embracing latex as a fashion statement it does put fetishists in an awkward spot…because the fact that someone is fetishly dressed is no guarantee that he/she is like-minded as a true fetishist. It’s now common occurrence to see sincere fetishist being made fun of by “tourists” at fetish parties…. my opinion is that there will be a major jump from simple fetish interest to heavy-rubberism from many middle of the road fetishist…..extreme is the safe place. as for “tourists” being rude to true-believers at parties…., strangely enough being rejected and humiliated should make a masochist happy!
- ” Think of the tattoo lovers… now everyone and their moms have tats, so in order for tattoo lovers to differentiate themselves from the masses, they have to go extreme…”
BBAA: How do you think fetish in general is perceived by the mainstream medias and the people in general?
GIL: Right now, I think it’s just indifference, there is nothing “mediatic” about the fetish culture simply because there is nothing bad to report……sexy and/or weird doesn’t sell anymore, sexy is everywhere and so is weird…. so many websites offering clip after clip of both. Mainstream media wants scandals, pain and horror…and since the fetish community has done such a great job of policing and respecting itself….there is nothing to report… good news and happy people doesn’t interest anyone. Of course, some bold moves and larger than life persona’s do get main stream recognition, Dita, Masuimi Max, Bianca Beauchamp and PLL are some good examples of fetishly created Icons and artistry which now enjoy recognition in the mainstream…but they are few and far between.
- ” Dita, Masuimi Max, Bianca Beauchamp and Project Latex Land are some good examples of fetish created Icons and artistry which now enjoy recognition in the mainstream…but they are few and far between.”
BBAA: Do you think we will see more fetish images in mainstream magazines?
GIL: Yes and No…. fetish “aware” people we will see more fetish images because many designers, marketers and photogs are embracing this visual statement however for the “mainstream” viewing public, this imagery will not be anything more than sexy and very few people will pick up on the signification of it.
BBAA: Is it a fair assessment to say a film like All Access had never been done in the past in the fetish scene? What’s your take on that?
GIL: Wow, that’s not a fair statement at all, it’s a bold understatement! Although Martin is my closest friend, I hadn’t even seen the rough cuts of All Access 1 until the premiere at the Montreal Fantasia Festival… so I had no idea what it was going to be about…. and I was never prepared for what I saw. As a professional in the image business, I spent most of my time analyzing the actual production aspect of the film…and quite honestly, it blew me away. Even as a close, very close friend of Bianca and Martin, I got to see them in a completely different light, I learned stuff about my friends and their alternative lifestyle. If me, a person who sees Bianca and Martin several times per week, can actualy learn about them…. it’s says alot about the film and the filmaking.
- ” ALL ACCESS 1 blew me away!”
GIL: Hummm, Aagin, Yes and No…. The market takes what the market is given…. considering the crap that is produced and put on our videostore shelves….I’m sure that many people would find it highly refreshing to laugh and be aroused at the same time… but it’s all about distributors and the willingness to take a chance. For now, it seems that most distributors are just to skiddish to invest in the idea that “sexy documentaries” would be popular. Thank god for online purchasing!! As for “similar” projects…. well, I’d have to see a “similar” project…for now, BBAA is unique. Unique in many ways, think about it, the Star, the guests, the production quality…. BBAA is “BIG”….so I just hope that anyone who plans on something similar will do so with the means to do something “equal” in quality.
GIL: Claims? hehehe, I wasn’t part of #1 but from what I saw, there was no staging ! as for #2…well of course it was staged, when Bianca got out of that limo and tripped on the red carpet in front of 20+ photo and video cameras it was all planned…. who doesn’t want to be caught on tape like that!!! HELLLLLLLOOOOOO !? staged??? No! But of course, everyone involved in #2 had seen #1 and because of that, we tended to be on our best behavior when the cameras rolled…. but otherwise, spontaneous is spontaneous… and I can promise you, it was all about the moment.
- “ALL ACCESS 2 was all about the moment.”
BBAA: Do you have any funny stories or anecdotes you could tell our readers from the shooting of All Access 2?
GIL: hehehe….No…… don’t ask me.
BBAA: From what you have seen being shot in All Access 2, what do you think viewers can expect from the upcoming film?
GIL: Jeeez, No clue. I think it will be quite a roller coaster. It seems to me that there will be more stuff than in the first one, more back stories, more interesting people, more interactions, more latex, more sexy models….more of everything….including Me!! (unless I get cut!)
GIL: I just want to know that I’ve touched the imaginary of people. I hope that one day, a person will look at a photo and say “that’s very Gil Perron like”… lofty goals, I know.
BBAA: Any project in particular your are working on at the moment?
GIL: Aside from Losing weight? Commercially, Martin and I have been retained by a major hair-care company to shoot their fall collection. “fetishly” I’m planning a latex glamour session with Bianca and a “bad girl & bad girl” session with Kandy Kanes and Marie-Claude Bourbonnais (both sessions should hopefully be featured on one of Bianca’s websites!!).
BBAA: Before we end this interview, is there anything else you would like to share with us?
GIL: If anything, I’d like to thank Bianca for her comittment and professionnalism over the years. We use the word Icon quite liberally but in all honesty, I think that Bianca is a true representation of what an Icon can and should be… She is not just good looking, she is committed to the growth of the culture, she is always willing and available, after seeing TV interview after TV interview….I could not imagine a better embassador. or friend.
Enjoy the movie, and enjoy the people.
BBAA: Thank you Gil for this interview! We wish you the best of success with all your upcoming projects!
