Our esteemed judges for the 2024 contest come from a diverse cross-section of our Leather and Fetish community:
Head Judge, Pine: UK Bootblack 2023
Pine (he/him) is equal parts trans masc Leather Daddy and boy. Having won his first title as London Bootblack of the Year in 2022, he is now both the first Bootblack UK and Bootblack Europe 2024. As Bootblack UK he has focused on nurturing aspiring bootblacks. Together with Parker LeatherArtisan, he runs a monthly Bootblack Munch at the Birmingham Bizarre Bizarre where new and experienced bootblacks alike can learn, share skills, and work a stand. He also co-organised Boundless – A Queer SM & Leather Weekend (August ’24). This was the first Leather conference in the UK for queer people of *all* genders – drawing people to it from Europe and Australia – and it included a bootblack challenge that was the biggest Europe has seen yet: 11 bootblacks of all skill levels undertaking timed bar-shines and tech boot restorations.
He loves enthusing others with his love of bootblacking, as well as teaching the filthier and fun side of it, incorporating elements of worship, S&M, humiliation, and degradation in his workshop demos. He loves enthusing others and encouraging new bootblacks, as well as teaching the filthier and fun side of bootblacking, incorporating elements of worship, S&M, humiliation, and degradation in his workshop demos
SpankCake: International Ms Leather 2024
SpankCake (she/her) is an Asian American service-oriented Leather babygirl from Los Angeles and is the current International Ms. Bootblack. In addition, she is the Executive Director of bootblack.org, a non-profit organization that provides support, education, and advocacy for bootblacks. SpankCake has written for various organizations including the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom and was recently featured in the July 2024 issue of Black Leather in Color.
SpankCake endeavors to make her AAPISA and leather communities proud, weaving together her passion for her craft with her dedication to inclusivity and representation. As she continues to leave her mark on the world of Leather, she would like to stand as an inspiration to those who seek to embrace their true selves within the BDSM community and beyond.
Master J Tebias Perry: Author
Master J. Tebias Perry, a native of Atlanta who also spends time in London, is an international educator, mentor, and activist. Known for his love of travel and diverse cultures, he hosts the annual “Tacos and Tequila” fundraiser through his themed party, “Bulge,” donating 100% of proceeds to 501c3 organizations.
A former member of ONYX, he judged the 2023 International Mr. Leather (IML45) and Mid-Atlantic Leather 2024. Perry serves on the Governance Committee at the Leather Archives and Museum and is a board member for CLAW.
In July 2023, he published *Leather Mentorship*, with a world premiere in Sydney, Australia. He is now working on *Leather Leadership* Volumes 1 and 2. Perry was honored with the Jack Stice Community Service Award at Southeast Leatherfest in 2023.
He is dedicated to serving the Leather and LGBTQ+ community.
Touko: Co-founder, Proteus Leather
Touko is a self-taught bootblack who first started learning to care for leather in his late teens. Since moving to London in 2019, he has continued to hone his craft by working alongside fellow bootblacks to learn about their preferred products and techniques, and loves to share his acquired knowledge with baby bootblacks. He has worked bootblack stands and given workshops across Europe, including competing for European Bootblack 2023, where he placed a very close 2nd.
Outside of bootblacking, he has been part of multiple panel discussions on a range of topics, including power exchange dynamics, safety and limits, and trans inclusion in the leather scene. He is the co-founder of Proteus, which is an international leather club that centres trans folk, with chapters in Germany, Sweden, and the UK and Ireland. Touko serves as Sergeant-at-arms for the latter, where he ensures club activities fit with the goals and rules of the club.
He is excited to bring his expertise and discernment to the UK Bootblack Contest, showcasing our expanding and evolving scene.
Stephane: Mr Leather London 2024
Stephane Harivelo’s journey as a Leatherman started in the highlands of Madagascar. His journey continued via France where he lived for 8 years. In 2004, he found himself in London, UK for the first time and has not looked back since. 20 years later, Stephane has been given the opportunity of representing London Leathermen as their Title Holder (Mr. Leather London 2024).
He has also been Host of the original Leather social for over 10 years. His contributions also include speaking as a panelist at IML, a Guest Facilitator at London Alternative Market, Love Tank, SM Gays and recon events
Nick: Manchester Leathermen
Nick is the social media officer of Manchester Leathermen. He started his leather journey in Manchester back in 2019 when he was a student and met some wonderful people, whether they call themselves leathermen, rubbermen, bootblacks or just kinksters. Nick is a big believer in camaraderie in the leather community and looking after one another, so he joined the Manchester Leathermen as a core group member to support the group and give back to the community.
Nick views bootblacks as an integral part of the leather groups everywhere and thinks we compliment each other really well. He is so grateful for all the amazing bootblacks we have and so proud to call them part of his family.
Nick’s favourite piece of gear? His tall leather boots!
Tally Masters
Serving as Tally Master for our contest this year we have the very lovely humans Banjo and Sir Dave, and as Judges Boy, Jak Bootblack Europe 2022.
Banjo: 2nd Runner up, MIR 2024
Banjo (they/him) is an all round fetishist, and a core team member of Manchester Rubber. They recently competed at MIR at the first open-gender iteration of the title, placing third. Banjo is a strong advocate for inclusion, body positive representation in queer media and ensuring queer spaces are welcoming
As a bisexual, non-binary, polyamorous, versatile switch they enjoy the variety the kink and fetish scene offers. You’ll often see Banjo in various states of undress, in some form of kinky costume or making groan inducing jokes – approach with caution… Or caution tape, to tape their mouth shut
Sir Dave: Professional Dominant
Sir Dave, a 6’2” Welsh Leatherman. Leather, fetish and kink have always played a large part of his life. He has previously volunteered at various events such as International Mr Leather (IML) and Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend (CLAW). Having sat in many a bootblack’s chair at these events he both understands and appreciates the skill and dedication they bring our community. They are our heart and soul.
With over 10 years of experience working as a Professional Dominant he has had the pleasure and honour of helping many enjoy their first steps in enjoying and starting their own kink and fetish journeys, as well as giving a safe space for others to explore their own interests or try something new.
Jak: Bootblack Europe 2022
Jak is, quite frankly, the youngest bootblack in the UK. Being an age-player is entirely natural to him, so if the idea of a 2-year-old doing your boots sounds like fun please, feel free to bring him a dinosaur (any type, or size will activate little mode)!
For the more serious adult version you will find a service-oriented switch, who has been thoroughly versed in all manner of leather care by his Daddy, Master Alistair Leather Hiraeth. He takes his craft so seriously that he even named his puppy Boots. Jak was European bootblack 2022 and is looking forward to the promise of international titles restarting. He lives with his Daddy, Master Alistair LeatherHiraeth IMBB 30, in rural West Wales with 3 K9 puppies.
In the past few years they have travelled extensively participating IN and judging bootblack events, more recently producing the inaugural UK bootblack title contest in 2023. As a bootblack he is especially fond of working on leather garments, although giving a pup hood a shiny nose is always fun too!