“I’m looking forward to the fair because I get to see a lot of hot guys and paw them and get away with it,” says bearware guru Geoffrey Davis, who created the Shock-Ra Bear brand.
Davis has nearly 10 years’ experience designing costumes and wardrobes, servicing clients like the Stratford Festival, Mirvish Productions and Soulpepper Theatre. His sells his bearware — which includes jockstraps, jewellery and kilts and is geared to bears and people in the leather community — online, at the Black Eagle, Northbound Leather and The Point Tent and Trailer Resort. His merchandise will also be available at the upcoming Toronto Leather Pride fetish market. “It’s a fantastic opportunity and a community I definitely support,” he says.

Toronto Leather Pride, operated by the Heart of the Flag Foundation, kicks off Thursday, Aug 9 with a reception and registration at Northbound Leather followed by lots of hot events throughout the weekend. Sunday’s festivities include the fetish market, a bootblacking service, a beer garden, a barbecue, a wading pool and the presentation of the 2013 titleholders.
Toronto Leather Pride
runs Thurs, Aug 9–Sun, Aug 12. Shock-Ra Bear
goods are available at the Sunday fetish market in the parking lot of Zipperz-Cellblock, 72 Carlton St. shock-ra.com, torontoleatherpride.ca