Trends in Sex Toys: "Toys in Babeland" Interview About People's Increased Interest in Porn, High End Sex Toys & Education - WEEKLY "SEX SELLS" PODCAST

WEEKLY "SEX SELLS" PODCAST - Trends in Sex Toys: Interview with Jen May, Manager of NYC Soho "Toys in Babeland" About People's Increased Interest in Porn, High End Sex Toys & Education - MP3 File

In chatting with the fabulous Jen May who manages the Soho outpost of Toys in Babeland www.babeland.com - one of the premier purveyors of sex toys, information & education - Fashiontribes got the sexy inside scoop!

According to May, people are becoming much more open-minded as they have access to much more information and are a lot more interested in learning about their sexuality. Part of it is the media of course. May cites the influence of shows like HBO's Real Sex which raised the profile of practices like "pony play", as well as informative articles about sex and sexuality in Self and O - The Oprah Magazine.

"People know what they're looking for, and are open to learning," says May. Not only do people come into the store and ask for specific products by name, but they are increasingly open to the idea of spending money for quality, as more high quality toys are available on the market. "The idea of spending over $80 on a sex toy isn't as nutty as it used to be." They also eagerly attend the regular classes and workshops offered by Babeland's in-house educators. The most popular are the fellatio and cunnilingus workshops, as well as anal sex basics, and S&M 101 which covers many of the theories and concepts behind BDSM. "People want to learn and why not offer it in a fun, safe classroom environment."

Another big trend is porn: Babeland's porn section has continued to grow to keep up with people's growing interest. "More women are looking for porn," acknowledges May. "Porn and porn stars have been moving into the mainstream, and it's being attacked by government, which creates more publicity and creates an interesting dynamic." Stars like Belladonna and Jenna Jameson have emerged with more control over their movies & image - Jameson not only has her own production company, a line of sex toys & regular modeling gigs, but an line of products:

• an "action" figure
• a book How To Make Love Like a Porn Star
• a Sims Fader snowboard

A surprise for May has been how the high end of the market has grown - Babeland carries a $400 titanium (and boilable!) vibrator by Elemental Pleasures that the store can barely keep in stock. Industrial designer Tom Dixon's pricey vibe even boasts waiting lists.

According to May, as a women-owned/operated business, they focus on empowering women. "There are so many websites and stores that sell sex toys without a soul," she notes. "They'll sell anything and everything, and take no steps to educate people." Babeland avoids selling anything unempowering & "seedy" - such as blow-up dolls. So what makes for an empowering experience, anyway? "Anything that makes you feel better about your sexuality." Also, they test every product to make sure their customers get the cream of the crop.

What are the biggest myths that May has encountered?

1. The G-Spot doesn't exist.
2. Having anal sex makes you gay.

To counteract this type of nonsense, Babeland does its best to offer "accurate and sex-positive information that's free of judgment." We say 'amen' to that.

Jen May's Top Five Picks from Toys in Babeland:

1. Rock Chick vibrator - for G-Spot & external stimulation
2. Rabbit Habit - another "double your pleasure" toy
3. Wahl 7-in-1 vibrator - it plugs in & lasts forever.
4. Sex Toys 101 - a "walking tour" of Toys in Babeland that explains everything & shows you how to use them. A "must-have."
5. Liquid Silk lubricant - to make every sexual endeavor that much better.