Spotlight on Fetish and Subcultures (with Restraint)
Cheri was a Canadian fashion magazine that catered to female readers. It was known for its sophisticated, elegant style, featuring celebrities such as Kirsten Dunst, Rihanna, and Christina Aguilera. While not a fetish magazine, Cheri occasionally explored niche themes such as leather, role-play, or vintage pin-up culture — but always with a soft, stylish presentation. This allowed the magazine to hint at kinkier content while keeping within its brand of high-gloss glamour. By gently introducing these subcultures to a broader audience, Cheri helped normalize certain fantasies without alienating its core readership.
The magazine's approach to fetish and subculture coverage was markedly different from other publications. Rather than sensationalizing or exoticizing taboo behaviors, Cheri presented them in an accessible, relatable way. For example, their feature on dominatrix clothing included an interview with a professional dominatrix who explained how she used fashion to express power and control. Their piece on BDSM featured couples sharing how they incorporate bondage into their everyday lives. And their guide to leather fashion focused on how it can be worn by anyone, not just "biker chicks."
In each story, Cheri emphasized the emotional significance of these practices, often highlighting the intimacy between partners. They also celebrated the creativity and craftsmanship involved in creating fetishwear, which could include anything from handmade corsets to elaborate costumes for cosplay events. This approach made the magazine's coverage feel less exploitative and more empowering, allowing readers to appreciate these subcultures on their own terms.
Cheri's approach was a refreshing change from the sexualized, objectifying coverage that dominates mainstream media. By presenting fetish and subculture as something natural and human, they challenged stereotypes and encouraged greater openness about alternative forms of sexuality. This has had a lasting impact on society's attitudes towards kink and helped make room for a wider range of expressions of sexual desire.