Original French language version
The return of the chastity belt: luxury models made-to-measure...
or ready-to-wear.
-- By Thierry BOINET --
ANNECY (AP) -- Invented by Francois de Carrare in the 14th century, and commercially available until 1973 at the renowned department store of Harrods in London, the chastity belt is not a myth or a museum piece: it is today still very much alive and can be found in numerous boutiques that make available a dozen or so models, from ready-to-wear to made-to-measure, models made from leather or totally made of metal and covered with a rubber lining that can be worn permanently, not to forget that these metal chastity belts are often decorated with precious stones. These belts are made by a retired lock smith who lives on the shores of lake Geneva. His select clientele comes mostly from Geneva.
Through the centuries these famous articles, of which Rabelais speaks in "Panurge" were made under a multitude of pretexts: moral, respect of social taboos, health, etc. Today, this article which constitutes the idea of "imprisonment" is more often requested by a clientele with SM tendencies, indicated a representative of the M.G.L. Society, located at the rue Saint Denis in Paris, as they do not hesitate even today to lock up what they consider the most precious.
The customers are equally male and female explains Jean Phillippe, 32 years old, from the "International Esthetic Men", a boutique catering to the gay, at the rue Vingnaires. "I often have ladies (in general a rare visitor to my store). They come to my store very often asking for a belt for their husband or male partner. They know exactly what they desire, and wish to be assured the article can be worn discretely under street clothing and that the article is "secure". We have numerous models of this type. For example we sell more chastity shorts made out of leather than metal chastity belts". These shorts are tight Bermuda shorts, without zipper and can be secured at the waist with a lock.
The most wanted model however remains the chastity belt made from leather for women. The price varies from FF 600 to 1000. These articles are manufactured in Paris in a small leather shop that accepts "made to measure" orders. This version is in the form of a leather brief, with two small openings in the crotch, and can be secured at the waist with a lock. A similar short is also manufactured for men, tailored with a high waist that can be secured with an adjustable lock. M.G.L. emphasized that there is a problem with long term wear of these articles due to "hygiene". The leather is also not suitable for frequent showers. Similar articles are therefore manufactured from thick rubber. They cost between FF 1000 and 1400. For 40 to 50 percent of our clientele the chastity belt is a toy, explains the salesman at M.G.L. They are part of similar articles such as chains, harnesses and the whole gamut of S.M. articles for men and women. For them, it is just a sex game that lasts a few hours, since it is difficult to wear these items for a long duration due to reasons of comfort and hygiene.
Two versions of chastity belts made out of metal are also available. One follows the examples of the famous belts created in Vienna in the 17th century, and is available for men and women. It is manufactured in Holland from very thin stainless steel, and is sold for approximately 2500 FF.
A metal band equipped with two hinges forms the waist belt. A second, larger piece, but narrower between the legs and equipped with two holes is riveted to the back of the waist belt, and is locked in front of the waist belt with two locks. The male version is equipped with a sheath attached to the front plate "imprisoning" the male part. This model must be ordered individually, and is somewhat heavy and also difficult to wear permanently, stated M.G.L. With the help of one of our clients, we have created a "high fashion" model, also made out of steel, but lighter and lined with rubber. This one can be worn permanently without creating irritation, the manufacturer assures us. The belt is also sold to our S.M. clients. It is invisible under a skirt or pants and permits the master to restrain the wearer permanently, while allowing the necessary hygiene, but without having any access to the sexual parts. This belt is also used by husbands and wives jealous of their spouses. They are willing to invest thousands of FF (3000 for this model) to assure "exclusivity" to their partners.
The best of the best belts is created on the French side of Lake Geneva by a lock smith who is retired and wishes to remain anonymous. This belt is a prime artistic creation. Numerous orders placed by rich persons coming through Geneva have been filled in the last few years and are exclusively for women. These orders originate mostly from the Emirate Gulf States. These creations made to measure are made of the finest metals, engraved and dotted with precious stones, a real art work of a jeweler inspired by the belts from the 17th century on display at the Cluny museum in Paris. The original order came to him from a client, where he installed an ornamental rail on the balcony of a villa. The orders are discreetly passed by word of mouth from the high society and diplomats living in Geneva. As to the price, it is dependent on the metal, decoration and stones chosen for the belts. The production amounts to three or four belts a year.
In spite of high prices, all of the belts mentioned above sell well, (an average of thirty per month) to customers of an average age between thirty and forty. These clients generally have a very discriminating taste relating to this type of merchandise and value the security aspects of the locking devices.
Page last updated 97-Jan-18 by: Altairboy@aol.com