Editing Dominatrix (section)

==Imagery==
[[File:Vivian LaVey at AVN Adult Entertainment Expo 2011 1.jpg|thumb|upright|A dominatrix wearing typical [[fetish fashion]] themed [[Latex clothing|latex]] dress, [[fishnet stockings]] and [[stiletto heels]]. She is holding a [[Paddle (spanking)|spanking paddle]].]]

The dominatrix is a symbolic female [[archetype]]. In popular culture, the conception of the dominatrix is generally associated with specialized clothing and props used to signify her role as a strong, dominant, sexualised woman. This role is linked to but distinct from images of [[sexual fetish]].<ref>{{harvp|Reichert|Lambiase|2003|p=77}}</ref> During the twentieth century, dominatrix imagery was developed by the work of a number of artists including the costume designer and photographer [[Charles Guyette]], the publisher and film director [[Irving Klaw]], and the illustrators [[Eric Stanton]] and [[Gene Bilbrew]] who drew for the fetish magazine ''[[Exotique]]''.

One of the garments associated with the dominatrix is the [[catsuit]]. The black leather female catsuit entered dominant fetish culture in the 1950s with the ''[[AtomAge]]'' magazine and its connections to fetish fashion designer [[John Sutcliffe (designer)|John Sutcliffe]]. Its appearance in mainstream culture began when catsuits were worn by strong female protagonists in popular 1960s TV programs like ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]'' and by comic super-heroines such as [[Catwoman]]. The catsuit represented the independence of a woman capable of "kick-ass" moves and action, giving complete freedom of movement. At the same time, the one-piece catsuit accentuated and exaggerated the sexualized female form, providing visual access to a woman's body, while simultaneously obstructing physical penetrative access. "You can look but you can't touch" is the message, which plays upon the BDSM practice known as "[[tease and denial]]".<ref>{{harvp|Tseëlon|2004|p=75}}</ref>

Another common image is that of a dominatrix wearing [[thigh-high boots]] in leather or shiny PVC, which have long held a fetishistic status and are sometimes called [[boot fetishism|kinky boots]], along with very high [[stiletto heel]]s. [[Fishnet]] stockings, [[Seamed stockings|seamed hosiery]], [[stocking]]s and [[Garter (stockings)#Garter belts|garter belts]] (suspenders) are also used in the representation and attire of dominatrices, to emphasize the form and length of the legs with erotic connotation.

Tight leather [[corset]]s are another popular dominatrix garment. Gloves, whether long [[opera gloves]] or fingerless gloves, are often a further accessory to emphasize the feminine role. [[Neck corset]]s are also sometimes worn.

Dominatrices frequently wear clothing made from [[fetish fashion]] materials. Examples include [[PVC clothing]], [[latex clothing]] and garments drawn from the [[leather subculture]]. In some cases elements of dominatrix attire, such as leather boots and peaked cap, are drawn from [[Nazi chic]], particularly the black [[SS officer]]'s uniform which has been widely adopted and fetishized by underground gay and BDSM lifestyle groups to satisfy a [[uniform fetish]].

A dominatrix often uses strong, dominant body language which is comparable to [[animal communication|dominant posturing in the animal world]]. The props she brandishes signify her role as dominatrix, such as a flogger, whip or riding crop as illustrated in the artwork of [[Bruno Zach]] in the early 20th century.<ref name=Bonhams>{{cite web|title=Bruno Zach's 'Riding Crop Girl' hits World Record $150,602 at Bonhams art auction|url=https://www.justcollecting.com/miscellania/bruno-zachs-riding-crop-girl-hits-world-record-150-602-at-bonhams-art-auction|website=justcollecting.com|access-date=27 June 2015|archive-date=30 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630174111/https://www.justcollecting.com/miscellania/bruno-zachs-riding-crop-girl-hits-world-record-150-602-at-bonhams-art-auction|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Bonhams Lot 116">{{cite web|title=Lot 116 - Bruno Zach 'The Riding Crop' an Impressive Green and Gilt Patinated Bronze|url=https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20122/lot/116/|website=Bonhams.com|access-date=28 June 2015|archive-date=30 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630213824/https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20122/lot/116/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Another often-depicted characteristic of the dominatrix character is of [[smoking]], either of [[tobacco]] [[cigarettes]] or [[cannabis]] products. While smoking tobacco has been in rapid decline worldwide, depiction of it in BDSM literature and media is increasing, as the negative image of smoking reinforces the "bad girl" stereotype associated with a dominatrix.<ref>{{cite web|title=How the BDSM Community Integrates Cannabis Into Kink|url=https://merryjane.com/culture/how-the-bdsm-community-integrates-cannabis-into-kink|website=Merryjane.com|access-date=19 September 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813173841/https://merryjane.com/culture/how-the-bdsm-community-integrates-cannabis-into-kink |archive-date=13 August 2020 }}</ref>

[[File:Venus Berlin 2019 568.jpg|thumb|A dominatrix wearing face mask and [[pasties]] at [[Venus Berlin]], 2019]]
Practicing professional dominatrices may draw their attire from the conventional imagery associated with the role, or adapt it to create their own individual style. There is a potential conflict between meeting conventional expectations and a desire for dominant independent self-expression. Some contemporary dominatrices draw upon an eclectic range of strong female archetypes, including the goddess, the female superheroine, the femme fatale, the priestess, the empress, the queen, the governess and the [[KGB]] secret agent.<ref>{{harvp|Wilson|2005}}</ref>