What is Western Decorative Rope Tying?
When you think of rope bondage, the first term that usually comes to mind is “Shibari,” which is a very specific classification and style of rope tying. Shibari involves a stiff natural fiber rope such as hemp or jute, with the intention of partially or fully suspending the one tied in rope (also termed as a ‘rope bottom’) from a hard point; a metal plate or hook in a ceiling or joist beam. Shibari is a Japanese cultural tradition that derived from Hojo-jitsu, which is a method of restraining captives and a form of torture, before it evolved into the erotic bondage art form known as Kinbaku. “Kinbaku” translates to “the beauty of tight binding.”
Western decorative rope tying differs greatly from Shibari in many ways. In decorative ties, the rope bottom is rarely suspended, being that the style of tying is not designed to hold the rope bottoms’ body weight in most cases. This means all western decorative ties are primarily floor ties; being that the rope bottom is always standing on the floor and not tied in the air. Decorative rope also utilizes a much softer and more flexible nylon rope as opposed to the rough and stiff nature of natural fiber rope that is used in Shibari ties. The material of nylon rope also provides a nice glossy finish which is very visually appealing in photographs, and much more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time while leaving minimal rope marks on the skin.
Decorative rope tying can be used as a form of bondage by restraining the rope bottom at the feet, ankles, hands, and/or wrists, but can also be styled in the form of body harnesses that allow free range of motion of all four limbs. Intricate design work and proper placement of the rope in juxtaposition to the model’s body effectively adds another visual layer of erotica to photo shoots with minimal discomfort.
What to expect
Should you elect to have our rope artist, Vanessa, provide decorative rope work for your photo shoot, here is an overview of what you can expect! She will meet with you on the day of your shoot to discuss what designs you’d be interested in, and provide you with different options depending on your level of comfort. Rope work will be saved until the very end of your photo shoot to ensure ample amount of time to tie. You will have the option of having either a chest harness or hip harness tied for your individual shoot. Light bondage work such as single column or double column ties may be negotiated for individual or couples shoots. Your comfort is a priority, and throughout the tying process our rope artist will consistently be checking the tightness of the rope to ensure proper circulation and placement of the rope to your comfort level.
Decorative Rope FAQs
What should I wear for rope tying?
Your rope work will count as one of the 3-4 outfits incorporated in your shoot, and decorative rope work can be done either in the nude or over lingerie of your choice. However, we ask that if you do choose to wear any type of clothing under the rope design that it be form fitting, and not contain any underwire or boning in the bodice of the bra or teddy to ensure maximum comfort while tied in rope. Placing rope ties over the top of metal underwire or plastic boning may cause the material to place too much pressure on your rib cage, making posing for photos a tad uncomfortable.
How long does it take to tie the rope?
The entire process of tying rope will take approximately 20-30 minutes depending on the intricacies of the tie. Removing the rope after the photos are taken will take approximately 10 minutes. We ask that you be prepared to stand for that period of time to allow proper placement and removal of the rope designs.
Does decorative rope tying hurt?
The short answer is no, not unless you want it to! The beauty of decorative rope tying is that it is virtually painless throughout the entire process. Discomfort levels will vary depending on how tightly the rope is tied around the body, and our rope artist will communicate with you to ensure you are at your comfort level from beginning to end. Those who have been tied in relatively tight chest harnesses say that it feels equivalent to wearing a heavy back pack. However, other rope ties that offer little to no tension give the feeling of wearing a loose shirt made of rope! Those who participate in rope tying regularly will say that having snug but comfortable tension feels like a consistent hug, and even find the rope to be comforting.
Will the ropes leave any marks?
In decorative rope tying, we use soft, flexible nylon rope to ensure no rope burns will occur. When the rope is removed from the skin there is a high possibility of reddish-pink impressions of the rope being left behind on the skin which dissipates after approximately 10-20 minutes after removal. This is completely normal, and is less likely to occur in looser harness ties. Double column or single column ties are more likely to leave rope marks. These rope mark indentations are the equivalent of what you would see if you removed a bra and witnessed indentation lines on your ribs and shoulders from the bra straps. If you have a medical condition such as Cushing’s syndrome, Vitamin deficiency, or a blood clotting disorder, you are at a higher risk of potentially bruising from the rope ties. If you have any medical conditions and wish to be tied in rope, please consult our rope artist so proper precautions can be made for the betterment of your health.
