New Times: So it's actually possible to make a living selling vegan bondage gear?
Camilla Taylor: It's my primary money-making job. It can be a little perilous, as there are some months when people simply don't want to buy stuff from me. August, for instance. No one wants a dildo harness in August.
NT: Why not something more traditional?
CT: Actually, most of what I make are just belts. All of my wholesale clients right now just buy belts. Bondage gear sounds all flashy and sexy, but in the end, I'm mostly in the business of helping people keep their pants up.
NT: Bestsellers?
CT: The basic belt, which is a plain black belt with or without a removable buckle. It's a pretty standard item, but it's often hard to find something like it in a vegan version. So many non-leather belts are also fancy in some way, all riveted and spiked. Wrist restraints are the second-bestselling items.
NT: And the stuff holds up? Any complaints or allergic reactions?
CT: The material that I use, which is called Lorica, is actually stronger than leather. Many motorcycle companies use it because it's stronger and safer. It's fairly realistic, and I haven't received any complaints. Although someone once e-mailed me, very upset, accusing me of scamming them into buying real leather.
NT: What positive things have people said about your gear?
CT: Quite a few customers write me e-mails about how relieved they were to find a decent alternative to leather that didn't also look like you wrapped a wad of hemp around your waist.
