Rope Salon x Kinbaku Live by huahua

Date: Friday 7 February 2025

Time: 1830-2230 (Doors open at 1800, close at 1845)

Venue: Studio Yukari, London E1 4BG

This Rope Salon will feature a Kinbaku Live Session by huahua and her model (TBA) followed by a discussion led by Naoko.

What is a Rope Salon?

Do you love shibari? Or are you interested in finding out more? Are you curious to learn more about the different styles of tying? Are you looking for more inspirations in rope? Rope Salon is the perfect event for you - for both beginners and more experienced folks alike!

Rope Salon is a social gathering facilitated by team members of Studio Yukari. To create a cozy, intimate environment for everyone, we maintain a capacity of 30 people. We strongly encourage everyone to engage in the event and therefore, each Rope Salon comes with a theme - commonly a Kinbaku Live session, or a movie screening, followed by discussions led by Naoko. After that, you will have free time to tie, get tied or socialise. Tea and light snacks will be served.

What is Kinbaku Live?

A Kinbaku Live is akin to a show / performance. We invite people from and outside of London to tie and share with us their philosophy in Shibari. A Kinbaku Live session is real, intimate and based on the moment, in contrast with a show/performance, which is often carefully curated and rehearsed. We bring to you the concept and experience of 一期一会 (ichi-go-ichi-e). Every session is unique - once in a lifetime, never again. This is the perfect way to learn and experience Shibari - with a focus on the heart as opposed to the shapes. With the guidance of Naoko, these sessions are a valuable opportunity to learn to appreciate the details and the beauty in those fleeting moments, and pick up soft skills that are often not covered in group workshops.

Can I come on my own?

Of course! Many attendees come on their own and make new friends at the event. If it is your first time or if you are nervous, please feel free to talk to the team at Studio Yukari and we are happy to introduce you to other attendees.

Dress Code

If you are planning on doing Shibari during the Rope Salon, please wear something that you feel comfortable tying in / getting tied in (in terms of movement and temperature). We advise against tight or restrictive clothing such as corsets, underwire bra, jeans etc. Please remove your accessories such as earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

You are welcome to get changed at the studio.

Please note that Studio Yukari has a strict no-shoe policy. We have a cloakroom on ground level for shoes and coats.

What should I bring?

Studio Yukari is equipped with wooden beams, bamboos (2 meter long) and hashira. Please bring your own ropes, safety shears and any other suspension equipment you might need (such as carabiners, rings and slings), and items for aftercare.

About hua hua (she/her)

hua hua (she/her) is a Shibari artist, Dominatrix and founder of Borderline Productions, currently based in London. She began the first public Shibari classes in Shanghai in 2017 and facilitated numerous events across China to help promote BDSM culture. hua hua left China in 2022 to access a wider community, and has taught in numerous countries across the globe. She runs a Patreon page where she can gather the international community and provide global access to resources of Shibari culture.

She believes that Shibari is a place to explore our inner most desires with authenticity and mindfulness. To her, ropes can create bonds beyond cultural, linguistic or social barriers. Her teaching style is more holistic than systematic, focusing on a slow pacing to encourage a more intentional practice and appreciation of small details.

Beyond teaching, she is passionate about developing Shibari culture through her project Borderline Productions. Working primarily with film, her work is often drawn from her personal journey navigating the world of Kink and life as a Dominatrix. She frequently collaborates with artists from other fields such as fashion, dance and experimental theatre to explore the relationship of BDSM with other subcultures.

Enquiries: contact@studioyukari.com