Black chiffon and blindfolds

Reporter Toni Bentley asked Catherine if she could observe one of her ceremonies. She was told there are "no observers, only participants"

I forgot to mention this, it was part of a large feature in last week's Sunday Times Magazine, an interview and audience with Catherine Robbe-Grillet, France's most famous dominatrix, the article was also published in Vanity Fair.

"....I am undressed and prepared. I am mesmerised, no longer reporting a story, but inside one. My body is mummified in yards of black chiffon, secured around my neck, chest and waist with a long string of pearls tied at the back. My hair is pinned back. 

I am laid down on a carpet and tied at each wrist and ankle with cord. I sense hands above my body and hear the cutting of the chiffon layers down the centre of my body. The silk is peeled back, leaving me exposed. I get an occasional flash of light through the bottom of the blindfold and see Christian in his suit kneeling between my legs, gently caressing my belly. At my head Madame sits on a small stool administering to my upper body with small unidentifiable instruments. It is mysterious and beyond exciting to be the focus of such a carefully, beautifully executed ritual. To be in the hands, literally, of a master mistress.

I am untied and lifted to my knees by Christian, and Madame steps in and cradles me in her arms. I am weeping, so deep is this experience. Unprecedented. But it is not over. I am placed on the prayer stool, head bowed. All is quiet and calm.

Crack! The whip — the famed “marital whip” — lands on my back and curls its leather braid around my entire belly. I make a sound I never made before. Not a scream, but something on a far lower register. A short pause and the air crackles again with another lash. Does it hurt? Like hell. The heaven I have waited for all my life......."

The above is small extract from a 3-page article, I liked it though and I couldn't help thinking how the real thing seems so much more interesting than EL's FSOG', the film of which is due for release soon. I don't think I'll be going to watch it, there will be plenty of reviews no doubt.

Have a good week.

Ronnie

xx