Words Calvin Holbrook
Images Piers Allardyce
For the majority of us living with HIV, the closest we get to handling rubber
on a regular basis is dealing with condoms. Let’s be honest; while they
are often necessary, they’re not particularly sexy. Condoms give rubber
a bad name, but Stephen Harvie of PIG London 
(shown in black rubber, left) has set out to change all that.
We joined forces with UKC supporter Stephen, 39, for this photoshoot showcasing
his wares at London’s Leadenhall Market. His year-old company has many
HIV positive clients and he’s keen to emphasis the benefits rubber can
have for everyone, including those affected by lipodystrophy.
“People worry when it comes to wearing a material that shows off their
body,” says Stephen. “However, in most cases rubber actually enhances
their physique, making it look toned.” For those who may have gained
weight around their middle as a result of antiretroviral drugs, there is also
a solution. “Heavier gauges of rubber have an amazing ability to pull
in the stomach which can make people feel instantly more self confident.”
Stephen runs PIG London from his front room in east London. After moving down
from Glasgow he started a job in a fetish store, receiving on-the-job training
in making rubber clothing. It was the fact that his partner (in business and
love) 
Joey (pictured right) had already set up a US online fetish business, and
through the encouragement of a neighbour, that Stephen started his business.
“People come here by appointment and they get a cup of tea and a biscuit
while getting measured,” he says. “As the company becomes more
established, we’ll still take the same interest in people.”
And growing the company is. He has achieved a client base through friends
on the rubber scene, word-of-mouth and the net. PIG London recently supply
rubber clothes for a Fetishlad.com
photoshoot, as Stephen jokingly puts it, a very “interesting”
website. “Rubber is about having a fetish, a passion, a hobby, but it
should also be fun. I love the feel, taste and smell of it. Having sex with
a man in rubber is 20 times better than with one not wearing it.” Regardless
of whether you’re into it, the site of men in rubber will certainly
provoke a reaction, as our photoshoot proved. “It was a lovely day,”
said Stephen. “There were quite a few tourists wanting to take our pictures.
People either think you are completely weird or they come up and talk to you.
The only drawback of working with rubber is that after making it all week,
I’m rather less inclined to go out and enjoy it at the weekend,”
he laughs.
Buy online at www.piglondon.co.uk
Reader Offer
Give yourself a pressie and have some fun with rubber. We have two
prizes to give away, courtesy of PIG London.
1 A black Raglan sleeve T-shirt, worth £40, with either
red, white, yellow, green or blue sleeves.
2 A sleeveless vest, worth £35, in either black, red, yellow,
white, green, blue or brown.
Send your name, address and phone number on a postcard marked ‘Rubber
comp’ to the usual address on page six. Please state which shirt (1
or 2) and colour you prefer plus your size (S, M, L or XL).
back to
contents - Issue 118
back to top of page
