''AtomAge'' magazine (later ''AtomAge International'' magazine) was a
fetish magazine published in Britain by the clothes designer
John Sutcliffe in the 1970s as an offshoot of his AtomAge fetish clothing business. The magazine has been called the "underground bible of leather, rubber and vinyl fetish wear throughout the 1970s"
and documented Britain's S&M scene.
The first AtomAge clothing catalogue was published in 1965 and it expanded into a magazine in 1972.
The magazine specialized in
leather
Leather is a strong, flexible and durable material obtained from the tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides to prevent decay. The most common leathers come from cattle, sheep, goats, equine animals, buffalo, pigs and ho ...
,
rubber and PVC fetishism, with a heavy emphasis on rubber and leather
catsuit
A catsuit is a one-piece form-fitting garment that covers the torso and the legs, and frequently the arms. They are usually made from stretchable material, such as lycra, chiffon, spandex (after 1959), latex, or velour, but may use less elast ...
s,
cloak
A cloak is a type of loose garment worn over clothing, mostly but not always as outerwear for outdoor wear, serving the same purpose as an overcoat, protecting the wearer from the weather. It may form part of a uniform. Cloaks have been and ...
s, and
gasmask
A gas mask is a mask used to protect the wearer from inhaling airborne pollutants and toxic gases. The mask forms a sealed cover over the nose and mouth, but may also cover the eyes and other vulnerable soft tissues of the face. Most gas mask ...
s. In 1981, the publication was split in two: ''AtomAge Rubberist'' (similar to the original AtomAge) and ''AtomAge Bondage'' (which contained more overtly
S&M content).
Sutcliffe made this decision because the
Bondage
Bondage may refer to:
Restraints
*Physical restraints
**Bondage (BDSM), use of restraint for erotic stimulation
***Self-bondage, use of restraints on oneself for erotic pleasure
Social and economic practices
*Serfdom, feudal enslavement of peasan ...
material he began to introduce in the late 1970s issues of the original ''AtomAge'' bothered some rubber enthusiasts. Both magazines remained in print until 1985.
One of Sutcliffe's main goals was to dignify the popular perception of fetish. He is regarded as one of the patron saints of the worldwide Rubberist community as a result.
2010 saw the publication of Dressing For Pleasure, The Best Of AtomAge, a comprehensive hardback book celebrating both the magazine and company.
References
Pornographic magazines published in the United Kingdom
Fetish magazines
Defunct magazines published in the United Kingdom
Magazines established in 1972
Magazines disestablished in 1980
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