Buy Canadian Kink 🍁
In FemDom we roleplay as narcissistic bullies as part of our job. We taunt, threaten and belittle as a form of play. Underneath this performance you’ll likely find a strong sense of respect and a foundation built on consent.
The truth is, most Dommes are spectacular at playing a role, we indulge in a fetishized version of power dynamics to ultimately provide some level of entertainment or escapism. Most of us understand that wielding power over others requires empathy, humility and restraint. Real power is quiet, confident and fair, traits that Canadians have always been known for.
Our country is the second largest in the world with only 1/10th the population of The United States. Our dollar is generally worth about 60 cents to every American dollar. Standing up for ourselves in this moment is no small task on any front.
Being in the LGBT, sex worker and BDSM communities has well prepared many of us to enter into this David versus Goliath situation. Support Canada as we fight for our independence, respect and identity.
If you’re local, international or, especially, if you are an American, I invite you to support kinky Canadian businesses with me. Plan a visit and experience the welcoming, kinky, liberated culture here in Toronto or shop online to show Canada some love.
Here’s a list of my favourite kinky artisans, places to visit and businesses 🇨🇦
Leather clad Elbows Up 🇨🇦
STUDIO LUDUS - TORONTO BDSM DUNGEON
In the professional BDSM world, it’s a constant struggle to find reliable, clean, kink-friendly spaces to work from - Studio Ludus has been an exception to that rule for over a decade. Owned and operated by a highly respected and reputable, Toronto Pro Domme, Lady Azelle, this dungeon provides professional, local Dommes a safe space to work from.
Lady Azelle has always given professionals a discount and has made it clear that she supports the safety of our community in a tangible way while also respecting the independence of the Dommes she rents to. It’s a tough balance to strike (and maintain) but, she does it.
The space is also available to the public, which means, kinky couples get overnight access to a real, private, discreet, fully stocked dungeon - a rare offering. It’s a great space, it’s Canadian as hell, female owned and I couldn’t recommend it more.
6whips - Handmade Implements
I got this recommendation from a Morgan Thorne video (a Toronto Dominatrix) I watched a few years ago on YouTube. 6Whips is a Canadian company based here in Ontario that specializes in handmade, high quality impact play tools such as floggers, whips and paddles. They also create bondage and restraint sets using premium leather.
I custom ordered their premium, braided flogger in my favourite colours, purple and red. Ordering was easy and straightforward through their website and I received my flogger quickly, considering it was handcrafted to my custom specifications.
NORTHBOUND LEATHER - PREMIUM LEATHER AND LATEx apparel
True north strong and free… as fuck.
Northbound Leather is Canada’s premier fetish clothing brand. I’ve shopped there, I’ve toured the factory, I’ve been friends with people who have worked there, I’ve rented the dungeon, I’ve been to their fetish parties - it’s legit.
Keep in mind, this is coming from a person who has leather and latex apparel as a hard limit (I don’t like the feeling of either). Hey, just because it’s not my cup of tea doesn’t mean they’re not deserving of their perfectly shiny, black, leather flowers.
This is a company born of the gay community in downtown Toronto in the 70’s and 80’s. Beginning as a traditional tailor shop in the 60’s, they accommodated the kinky leather requests of the LGBT+ community of the area and leaned in from there.
The business acumen and technical skill are commendable on their own but their choice to embrace a deeply marginalized community in a time where it would’ve been far easier to dismiss them is a thing of beauty. It embodies what it means to be Canadian, to me. This is why they’ve been a leader in the BDSM community here in Toronto and in Canada for decades.
PROLIFIC NATURE - BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY
Adriana is a professional, boudoir photographer here in Toronto. She specializes in capturing sensual, glamourous, candid shots of her subjects and has been a supporter of the sex worker community for years. She was my first professional photographer in 2020 and I’m so glad I found her.
Her style is casual which is invaluable for people with no modelling experience like me. She made me feel comfortable and gave just enough direction so I knew what to do then she quickly captured a few shots before we swiftly moved on. She really emphasized having fun and just being myself and you can see it in the pictures.
My shoot was 2 hours, affordable, chill and she sent the raw photos within HOURS of our photoshoot. She only sent about 70 raw pics altogether which saved me time having to sort through hundreds of proofs. She quickly completed editing the 10 final pics and I had them within a couple of weeks. That’s very, very efficient and I love efficiency.
Here’s a substack post I wrote all about my experience and here’s a link to her website, Prolific Nature.
VENUS ENVY - SEX shop, BOOKSTORE + SEX EDUCATION
As a maritimer, it’s my pleasure to shout out Venus Envy. Just a few blocks away from the Halifax waterfront, it was the first sex shop I ever dared to enter as a young lass. Looking back now, it was a lovely harbinger of queer, sexual positivity to come.
I have a good friend who ended up working there for years, in the early 2000’s and loved it. To this day, not only is it still standing, it’s thriving, and it has evolved into something really remarkable.
Beyond sex toys, they offer books, workshops and education with a focus on inclusive sexuality. They are non-conforming, LGBT+ inclusive and gender affirming. They include body positivity, neurodivergence and anti-abilism into the context of sexuality and for that I salute them 🫡
CANADIAN FETISH AND SEX SHOP SHOUT OUTS
The Stag Shop and Pink Cherry are my go-to’s for kinky basics. Both are great, reliable and Canadian owned. They both ship internationally so I recommend switching to them for all your sexy essentials.
Although I’ve never shopped here, I’ve heard great things about Church of Sinvention. After peeking around their website, it looks like they might have a new play space opening soon as well - in an old church, no less! If / when that happens I’ll definitely be checking it out, perhaps I’ll use it as an excuse to do a work trip to Stratford!
Deadly Fetish is a Vancouver based, fetish clothing company. Incepted, owned and operated by an Emily Carr University graduate, they offer kinky clothing, housewares, art and more. They also ship internationally so no matter where you are, you can get your hands on their strange and wonderful collection of goods.
It wouldn’t be a complete, kinky listicle without mentioning Oasis Aqualounge. This is Toronto’s crowned jewel of sex clubs. I’ve been there and I’ve known people who have worked there. It leans a bit vanilla for me but they’re professional and offer lots of different, sex positive and inclusive events. Check them out if you’re in Toronto and if you’re a single man intending to visit solo, make sure to read this page.
Maple leaf accessories.
NON KINKY RECOMMENDATIONS
Get your news from the CBC. It’s our most reliable form of media. It’s one of the only main news sources that is Canadian owned.
Buy Canadian! Check out the subreddit and download the app to support Canadian companies when you shop.
Consider donating to our local food banks here in Canada. This one in Saint John, New Brunswick is currently the most heavily affected by U.S. tariffs by a large margin.
Check out charityintelligence.ca to find Canadian charities that are impactful. I recommend First Book Canada and Indspire.
Pump House Brewery in New Brunswick. I remember a day of biking through the country trails in Nova Scotia years ago. I randomly found a huge, natural blueberry field. From a distance, it looked like someone had laid out a massive green and blue, tie dyed scarf - that’s what got my attention.
As I approached, I realized, I was looking at wild blueberries. I took a break and busted out one of the treats I’d brought for myself on that beautiful summer day, a blueberry ale from Pump House Brewery. It was my first time trying it and what should’ve been a pleasant but easily forgotten experience turned into a euphoric, serendipitous moment that I remember vividly to this day. It was just one of those times where I was just filled with euphoric gratitude. I just felt so thankful for my quiet day and the natural beauty of where I lived.
DEAR AMERICANS
I don’t hate you or any other group of people. This work has taught me to get to know each person individually and that the answer to most questions is simply “it depends on the person”. If you love freedom and support Canadian sovereignty, I welcome you with open arms.
Support Canada in whatever way you can. Plan a trip, shop online, boycott or donate. We appreciate every gesture.
Thanks for reading - Elbows Up! 🇨🇦
xo Bastienne
