As a novice the the fetish scene, other than having watched a few TV programmes about it, I didn't know quite what to expect from the Skin Two Expo. Visions of whipping posts, scary people and a generally sexually charged environment sprang to mind. Other than the latter, I couldn't have been more wrong.

The event took place at the Barbican Exhibition Centre. I wandered in and saw a show that looked like the Clothes Show - with slightly kinkier clothes and toys. I got chatting to Eros UK who make lubricants and vinyl dildos. I'd never felt a vinyl dildo before but they certainly have more give in them and generally felt good in the hand. After getting samples of the Bodyglide, Woman Bodyglide and foam plus a really cute red vinyl dildo to test for the site (watch for the reviews soon) I got into a long conversation with the guy who runs Eros UK about people's attitudes to the sex industry. He was lovely. We agreed that more should be done to promote sexual health and he passed on a few contacts who run sexual health charities - watch out for their advertising on the site soon (we give free advertising to sexual health charities so if you know anyone involved in running one, tell them to contact us.)Desire Magazine were there with their latest issue. Having never seen the magazine before, only the site, I was interested to see whether it could live up to its promise of providing 'erotic inspiration for women and for men". It certainly does. There's everything from sex news and fantasies to erotic cartoons. Some of the ads are a bit full on (a phoneline featuring women who are 'pregnant and desperate for sex') but other than that, it's an interesting read.But back to the toys. I checked out the Babes-n-horny stand of beautifully designed dildos, so pretty that they could easily be displayed as works of art (if you don't mind having phallic works of art on display) They've also got a huge range of strap-ons of various types, so check out their site if it's your kind of thing.City Sex Tours were there, promoting their latest event; a fetish day. They've got loads of stuff going on, from taking people on tours of old brothels from the 19th Century to showing them round glamour studios, running 'how to be sexy seminars' and all that kind of thing. We'll be reviewing one of their tours in the near future but visit their site if you want to try one yourself.I then moved on to The Ultimate Leather stand. Their stuff is more than just fetish. Items like this dress would be just as appropriate to wear to a 'straight' club as to a fetish club.And this coat is a pure work of fantasy. The leather they use was seriously soft and the cut of the clothes was stunning. If you're into leather, visit their site - you won't be disappointed. Then, things got a little kinkier. I stumbled across the Vampires Realm stand offering custom made fangs and vampiric contact lenses. They had everything the modern-day vampire needs; long black coats, frilly white shirts - even coffins. The man running the stall was the friendliest (OK, only) vampire I've ever met and happily showed off his fangs and let me try on one of the coats. He didn't try to suck my blood, which just goes to show that not all vampires are evil fiends.I had a look around the SM Pride stall. There was much whip cracking and again, really friendly people. They're trying to promote BDSM as a valid sexuality and run a regular SM Pride march.I finished off with a trip to the Delicious Corsets stand. The designer corsets start at about £100 which was really cheap given the quality of the fabrics and the nature of the design. I decided I'd give one a go to see what it looked like. They didn't have a 24 inch waist one. The next nearest was 20 inches. "Sure, give it a go." I said. Much strapping and pulling later (yes, I even had a knee in my back at one point.) it was on. My friends were looking on approvingly. I looked in the mirror. I love the woman who put me into the corset. I had a 20 inch waist. I had the classic hourglass figure and then some. I felt like a gorgeous babe. I felt like breathing was something that I was sure I could get used to doing without if it made me look like this. I can now understand why women in Victorian times fainted so much. But every woman should have a moment in a corset. It's pure glamour.Overall, the Skin Two Expo was a great event and certainly made for an interesting way to spend a Saturday afternoon. It was friendly, accessible and everyone there was open to chatting whether you were wearing full on fetish clothes or classic weekend slobbing out gear.If you've never gone to a fetish event before, it's a great place to start - and if you're into the scene, you'll find loads of great stuff to wear and play with. The Expo is on until 9pm on 6th October then there's the Rubber Ball on Monday 7th October so if rubber or fetish stuff is your thing book a ticket.