03.06.16
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Since the publication of its first sideways look at sexuality in 2012, erotic publication Baron has been focused on shifting the way we consume the materials we use for our own titillation. By raising what a less discerning eye might view as porn to the level of high art, Baron is seductively enquiring about our gender, sexuality, and asking how we operate as sexual beings – questions that are particularly pertinent in a country as highly strung about sex as the UK.

Now, inspired by single-minded glamazons like Jackie Collins and scandalous celebrity sisters the Kardashians, the team behind Baron are turning their attention to a more female-focused title: Baroness. There’ll be erotic collages, a glut of female collaborators, and as founder of Baron and creative director Matthew Holroyd says, “lots more cocks”. Sounds exciting to us… Read our Q+A with him below.

  • Baroness Issue 1 Cover by Penny Slinger

How does Baroness differ from its sister (or should we say brother) publication, Baron?
Lots of cocks this time.

The new issue will introduce a new editor-in-chief, Isabella Burley, along with a host of female contributors. How has this new injection of oestrogen influenced how Baroness looks?
We have always had an injection of oestrogen in Baron. Baron was originally founded by three founders, one female, and we have always wanted to have a mixture of gazes whom are not aligned with traditional gender roles, gender attributes and identities and are very comfortable gazing at both men and women regardless of their sex or sexuality to shape the look of both magazines.

  • © Tyrone Lebon, Baron Magazine Issue 2, 2013

Would you categorise Baroness as erotica, or pornography?
We would categorise Baroness as erotica, for us the pornographic image is just about sex and erotica has many more meanings.

Brits are notoriously closeted kinksters, and women are not seen as traditional consumers of pornography. Do you think this cultural attitude is evolving?
I love that the Brits are closeted kinksters. It makes my day when another Conservative MP gets caught visiting his S&M mistress.

#worship #me

A photo posted by Baroness Magazine (@baroness_magazine) on

On your social media accounts you often use visual innuendo to convey sexuality due to rules on explicit images online. What are your thoughts on social media censorship?
We recently had a Penny Slinger collage taken down of lips from Instagram, which was extremely annoying. But I do think people rather enjoy it… It’s a bit, “how far can you go until Instagram punishes you for being terribly naughty and rude?” There is something quite BDSM about it all.

Female-focused publications like Baroness are increasingly putting female sexuality on the radar. How else are you seeing this reflected in popular culture?
I listened to a really interesting documentary on Radio 4 a few months back which was a modern day take on Roland Barthes’ Mythologies presented by Peter Conrad, who compares the Kardashians to modern day Greek goddesses, which I loved. I sort of love that about the Kardashians, because in many ways we can all be Greek goddesses thanks to social networking, filters, good copy and a little bit of sass.

  • © Penny Slinger, Courtesy of Blum and Poe

Similarly, can you share some of the artists or creators dealing with female sexuality who are inspiring you right now?
Sara Baker is an artist that often makes work that celebrates very glamorous, powerful and sexually aware women. Sarah has also directed and starred in a shoot for the new issue, inspired by the author Jackie Collins. We were both terribly sad about the death of Jackie, as she was the real deal and the original Baroness.

Baroness launches this month. Can you tell us a bit about the contents of the first issue?
Yes, it’s very hot – and you need to buy it!

Pre-order Baroness now from baronmagazine.com