Pictured, from left: Products from CalExotics' new Nick Hawk line, a wall of dildos at Pleasure Works, Pipedream Products' OB-GYN Kink Kit
BURBANK, Calif.—Novelty manufacturers gathered this week in Burbank for the ANME Founders Show, a B2B trade show, to showcase their newest offerings.
One of the most talked-about releases, and one that got plenty of fanfare, was the launch of the Nick Hawk line of sex toys from CalExotics. Featuring products designed and chosen by Hawk, the star of Showtime's Gigolos, the line boasts about 20 SKUs, ranging from realistic dildos and blow-up dolls to weighted Kegel balls and penis pumps.
"Nick was very involved with the creation of the line," said Desiree Duffie, director of public relations for CalExotics. "He wanted the penis pump to have a bigger bulb so there was more control, and he even chose the weight of the Kegel balls. He insisted that the dildo molded from him have balls that move so it feels real, and the blow-up doll has tattoos like his."
Hawk even made an appearance during the show Monday afternoon to meet and pose for pictures with the press and show attendees. He also used the opportunity to promote the Win A Date With Nick Hawk contest. The winner will spend Valentine's Day 2014 with the reality TV star in Las Vegas.
The Gigolos star commented on the high points of the line, including the purple and black color scheme on the bondage gear, and the movable testicles in his signature dildo, which he noted were a new twist and made them unlike any other dildo on the market. Next week, Hawk said, he is participating in a seminar at the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo and he will be presenting at the AVN Awards Show along with fellow mainstream star Phil Varone, who also has a toy line with CalExotics.
CalExotics launched new items in several existing lines, including Gyrations Sensations, Body & Soul, Shane's World and more.
Jopen, a sister company to CalExotics, also debuted several new items, including the new Envy by Jopen line. The Envy line—Envy One, Envy Two and Envy Three—boasts three classic vibes in various sizes, all of which have seven functions with incremental speed control. The vibes, all coated with 100 percent silicone, are USB rechargeable and powered by PowerBullet technology.
At the bustling Pipedream Products exhibit space, retailers perused the rows of new items in the Fetish Fantasy Extreme line, which was placed front and center. Brand ambassador Cheryl Flangel gave a quick tour of some of her favorites in the various lines, noting in particular a metal-plated pasties and G-string kit and an OB-GYN-themed medical kit (with vibrating pussy periscope, vaginal speculum and two nipple forceps), both from Fetish Fantasy Extreme.
But it wasn't all about Fetish Fantasy Extreme. Flangel also drew our attention to new items in the Bachelorette, Le rêve, Juicy Jewels and Neon lines. In addition to the OB-GYN kit, Flangel also pointed a delightful new addition to the Glow-in-the-Dark collection: a crotchless panty with a pocket for a bullet vibe that can be comfortably worn during intercourse ... and, as the piece de resistance, the word "bitch" emblazoned on the crotch in glow-in-the-dark ink.
Doc Johnson also unveiled new lines and several additions to existing ones. In the company's booth was the Glo room, which showcased all of the manufacturer's black-light compatible items in one place.
Also new is the American Bombshell line, which has some of the largest dildos Doc has ever created, explained Evan Cohen, marketing coordinator for Doc Johnson.
"The pieces are all of our larger items in a gun metal color of silicone," he said.
Oralove, a new line, also bowed. Cohen said the line is the female equivalent to the popular Good Head line from Doc, and features freshen up wipes and complementary lickable lubes in peaches and cream, strawberries and mint and warming and tingling.
Doc Johnson also had a celebrity in their booth, when adult's "It" Man James Deen was on hand to show off the new Black and Blue entry-level BDSM items to the James Deen collection. The items have a navy and black color scheme and a more manly look and feel thanks to the inclusion of faux suede for the collar, cuffs, whips and more.
Also garnering a lot of attention was the Super Hung Heroes line of dildos. The silicone probes come in red, green, gold and black and are designed to represent Spider-Man, Batman, The Hulk and Iron Man.
BMS Factory, still reveling in the attention from its Leaf line of vibrators, wasn't about to rest on its laurels, and bowed additions to the line. Three of the line's most popular shapes are now available in a rich purple color and now pulsate with five functions. Additionally, the Bloom and Vitality pieces from the collection were relaunched with increased power and a new USB charging ability, just like the new purple items.
The company also showed off the new Ultimate Personal Shaver kits for men and women. Sarah Mills, marketing and business development coordinator for BMS Factory, said the new kits actually combine two former kits into one travel-friendly grouping.
The kit comes with the shaver, the attachments and stencils," she said. "The only different between the men's version (available in black) and the women's (which comes in white) is the men's comes with a beard trimmer."
Kits were all the rage at the ANME Founders Show, as several companies have started packaging some of their more popular items together for sale.
Sportsheets, which is celebrating 20 years in business this year, is now carrying The Grey collection, three kits with products straight out of the best-selling mommy porn trilogy Fifty Shades.
The bondage Escape kit has metal handcuffs, a riding crop and a grey silky sash; the Tie Me Up Kit has a grey tie, grey satiny blindfold and black flogger; and the Sweet Punishment Kit has black furry handcuffs, an XOXO paddle and a red satiny blindfold.
Additionally, several products are sporting new packaging with photographs of the items in use and gold foil accents.
LoveHoney proudly showed off the newest lines that will soon be available, including the Bettie Page line of spankers, paddles and other BDSM-themed items. Additionally, the Swoon line of products--which have been available in U.K. drugstores for some time—will be coming to America, explained Michelle Glitter, director of sales. The line—which has crisp and clean mint, black and white packaging—boasts everything from vibrators to massage candles and more.
LELO also got in on the kits craze, debuting the Adore Me Kit, which includes a Mia 2 in a special limited edition red color, a pair or red Sutra cuffs and a red Intima blindfold. The Adore Me Kit, which comes in a black box ready for gifting, joins the Dare Me and Indulge Me kits, which were released earlier this month.
And not to be outdone by celebrity visits, M.D. Science Lab, the makers of Swiss Navy Lube, hosted a guest appearance by Chi Chi LaRue of Channel 1 Releasing and Rascal Video to announce the partnership and creation of Chi Chi LaRue Toys. The toys are designed to be non-toxic and appeal to men and women, as well as come in a variety of prices ranges.
The ANME Founders Show continues through Wednesday at the Burbank Marriott Hotel.
For more information, visit ANMEFounders.com.
