AND Bootblacks
“We’re the real leather…
Everyone else just…wears it”
(The Killer Wore Leather, Laura Antoniou. Photo by Darth Tee Photography)
WHAT IS BOOTBLACKING?
At its most basic bootblacking is the care of worn leather, but it can be far more than that: it’s tradition with queer roots; it’s about care for the person, their leather, and their history; it can offer service, solace and connection, or be charged with power exchange.
Bootblacks are at the heart of Leather culture and will be central to BOUNDLESS. We need two bootblacks to work the stands – if you’d like the opportunity read more here.
WHAT IS BOOTBLACKING?
At its most basic bootblacking is the care of worn leather, but it can be far more than that: it’s tradition with queer roots; it’s about care for the person, their leather, and their history; it can offer service, solace and connection, or be charged with power exchange.
Bootblacks are at the heart of Leather culture and will be central to Boundless.
Take Part in the Bootblack Challenge!
There will be a bootblack challenge at lunchtime on Saturday run by Wookie, UK BOOTBLACK 2025. It won’t be judged, though you will be given feedback. This is an opportunity for you to evaluate your own skill level against others, gain experience, and to earn a participation prize for publicly bootblacking at Boundless.
There will be two challenges:
(1) TECH BOOT. You will have 30mins to make ONE boot as nice as possible again. It may have some surface damage or be marked in some way. This is a challenge for the more experienced bootblacks, or perhaps for those who have gone to Wookie’s workshop in the morning and feel newly emboldened by the skills they’ve learnt! This is excellent prep for anyone thinking of entering a bootblacking competition.
(2) 3-ARMED-BARSHINE. For this less experienced and more experienced bootblacks will be paired up and two of their arms tied together. They will have 25mins to do the best possible bar-shine. The challenge is to work together! The less experienced can use their dominant hand, the more experienced can only use their non-dominant hand and give advice. This is a challenge that focuses on team work and bootblack camraderie, as well as being silly, good natured fun.
Work the Stands!
Our bootblacks-on-duty will be working the Friday night social and the Saturday play party. To work the stands alongside them email vulpine.events@gmail.com. You are especially welcome if you are looking for your first experience of working publicly.
Sit for our Bootblacks on Duty: Ca and Lilly
Usually, you’ll sit for a bootblack in their chair while they work on your leather. If you know how you’d like your leather cared for, do tell the bootblack at the start. A ‘bar shine’ will take about 20-30mins. This is an opportunity to talk to your bootblack, enjoy the sensations, relax or people watch, but please don’t use it to scroll on your phone or ignore the bootblack. Equally, treat bootblacking like a scene and don’t interrupt a bootblack who is working on someone else’s leather.
With negotiation and if there’s chemistry, bootblacking can involve elements of D/s and S&M. Don’t assume a bootblack is submissive though – some are Dominant or switches – or that they will lick your boots (most often they won’t) and do NOT touch them without consent!
£ TIP YOUR BOOTBLACK £
Bootblacks work hard and have to pay for polishes and conditioners. Tips are always appreciated though most bootblacks will accept a skill swap or trade and won’t turn away those who cannot afford to pay. Suggested MINIMUM tip £10.
Ca (she/they) (@Skin_Stitches) is a dedicated bootblack, award winning bootmaker and BootBlack UK 2025 runner-up. You might recognise them from bootblacking at events like Butch Revival, LEATHERDYKE, Cruise and Leeds Leatherdykes over the last 3 years. Driven by a deep respect for the history, community and culture of Leather, she works to perfect the technical and indulge in the sensual. Always keen to bootblack at new events, Ca is thrilled to be bringing her kit to her first Boundless!
