SAN FRANCISCO - Stockroom.com and its subsidiaries Syren and Stormy Leather will sponsor Q, a marketing executive for SocialKink.com, in the 10th annual International Ms Bootblack competition during the International Ms Leather Weekend.
Q, the current Southeast Leatherfest Bootblack champion, will wear attire provided by Stockroom's Stormy Leather and Syren divisions in the competition. Each division also will donate products for an auction to be held at the event.
In fetish communities, "bootblacking" refers to caring for another person's boots or leathers while they are worn.
Q first encountered bootblacking in 2005 when she attended her first leather event, Together in Leather. The marketing executive went on to increase her exposure to the lifestyle at Frolicon, a carnival-type event that involves everything from zombie burlesque to belly dancing. In 2007, Q won the title at Southeast Leatherfest.
When not competing in leather events, Q works as a sales and marketing executive for SocialKink.com, a leading website for people interested in sexual fetishes, bondage, domination, submission and masochism.
"I'm really excited about competing for the title of International Ms Leather Bootblack 2008," Q said. "It's an amazing event with a rich leather history I am proud to have the opportunity to be a part of. I've been a fan of Stockroom.com, Stormy Leather and Syren for many years, and so it's truly a thrill to have them sponsor me."
International Ms Leathers' organizers tout the event as "the biggest, baddest and best event anywhere for leatherwomen" and their friends. The weekend event features workshops, entertainment (including burlesque, lap dancing and striptease) and the annual International Ms Leather contest.
"For the past several months, I have traveled the country supporting my Southeast Leatherfest title and the leather community through bootblacking, giving workshops on bootblacking and leather care or bridging divides within the leather community," Q said. "I've been an activist for a number of years prior to earning my current title. This has been mostly in the area of gay and lesbian rights. Winning at IMSL would give me an opportunity to continue my path of advocacy for a community to which I belong to and believe in."
