Atomage
Brief History of Atomage Magazine
Atomage was a pioneering British fetish magazine (and associated clothing brand) specializing in rubber, latex, leather, PVC, and vinyl wear. It became known as the “underground bible” of rubber and leather fetish fashion in the UK during
the 1970s
Origins (1957–1971)
John Sutcliffe (1913–1987), a former RAF pilot turned designer, founded Atomage in 1957 in a small workshop in Hampstead, London. It started practically: making weatherproof leather garments for women riding on the back of motorcycles (pillion riders), as suitable women’s sizes were hard to find.
Sutcliffe taught himself dressmaking and expanded into custom fetish-oriented clothing — catsuits, cloaks, masks, boots, and more — using leather, rubber, and vinyl. His designs gained a cult following in the emerging fetish scene.
The Magazine Era (1972–1980)
In winter 1972, encouraged by regular customer and contributor Helen Henley, Sutcliffe launched Atomage magazine. It began as a subscription-only A5 publication (priced around £2) that served as both a catalogue for his designs and a community hub.
Key features:
- High-quality photos of models in his outfits.
- Reader-submitted letters, stories, and photos.
- Articles explaining fetish interests (including to women about male preferences).
- Order forms for custom pieces.
It ran for 32 issues until 1980. Early issues focused more on leather; rubber and bondage content grew over time. From issue 13 (1976), a separate Atomage Supplement (20 issues) was added to handle bondage material separately and avoid upsetting some readers.