Company
Erotic saddler – traditional craft with a frivolous touch
Saddler Viktoria Kottler works in her workshop on a leather collar that is intended for the erotic sector. photo
© Uli Deck/dpa
Crafts often reinvent themselves. A saddler in the southwest shows how it’s done – and makes very special products.
She can do that too: bags, belts, children’s shoes. But that’s what she makes above all: leather love swings, leather restraints for ankles or wrists, collars, leather corsets and harnesses.
The trained saddler Viktoria Kottler has specialized in erotic supplies and, in her workshop in Bischweier, south of Karlsruhe, makes everything her customers’ hearts and bodies desire upon request. Nothing is too unusual for Kottler, nothing too strange. Around 70 percent of their production now comes from articles for the world of sex and love. “Craftsmanship. Leather. Eroticism” is written on the 29-year-old’s company T-shirt. The last word in red.
How it all started – and what the things cost
The idea came about during a postnatal exercise class after the birth of her son in 2020. The 29-year-old grins herself when she tells it. A participant, now one of her friends, gave her the idea of trying the erotic rail. “She knew people who were great Dating portals work.” Kottler had already been self-employed with her leather business for several years.
“In the adult industry, people like to spend money,” she said to herself. Her husband also advised her. A love swing is available for just under 500 euros, the classic five-piece ankle, neck and hand restraint set for 580 euros. Actually it works. No one has ever tried to act, she says. “Eroticism is always possible.” Her rooms smell like leather; she has goods there worth around 15,000 euros.
What customers want
Kottler started their offer in May 2023, followed by a lot of planning and the development of prototypes. Since then, her order book has been full. Waiting time around twelve weeks, she says, depending on what the customer wants. And they want a lot of things, but Kottler doesn’t go into detail. Discretion is a matter of honor, she says.
Mostly older couples in a committed relationship come, sometimes women come, sometimes men. “Just normal people,” she says. “People like you and me.” For her, the topic is in no way embarrassing, raised eyebrows are not her thing, and she hasn’t encountered any prejudice from fellow saddlers either. She models her products on her website.
There is also competition
In general, Kottler is not the only one in the saddlery profession who produces erotic items. Not everyone talks about it, she says. “But it’s more of a niche,” explains Sandro Schreiter from the Baden-Württemberg state guild of interior decorators and saddlers. And a good opportunity to take unusual paths in a profession steeped in tradition. “We have always been a versatile trade and very versatile and have always been able to survive crises well,” says Steffen Würtz, regional specialist group leader for saddlers in the southwest.
Viktoria Kottler is a good example of this. She has settled into her niche and only wants to make erotic items in the long term. Most of her customers contact her by email, and some also come by to adjust or try things out. Some also have items repaired. There are a few preliminary discussions and then she can get started. “I don’t care whether I make a belt for my pants or a handcuff,” she says. “I’m interested in working with leather, I’m interested in the technical aspects of it and whether I deliver a high-quality product.” In the erotic sector, the difference in quality between their handmade items and products from the Far East is particularly enormous.
It should be even more professional
Next she is planning an online shop, but that may take a while. Their products have pretty names like Blumencountry for flowery leather collars, a love swing with a quilted seat is called “Cozy,” and the “Heavy Duty” restraints are black with cherry red. And if you want pink, you get pink. Or turquoise. A necklace is currently lying on the table, decorated with 24-carat gold leaf. The tastes are different. She wouldn’t say how many customers she has. She now also delivers abroad. She sources her leather from tanneries in the region or directly from the USA.
She hasn’t received any stupid comments on Instagram yet. More fun things about their range. In her workshop, colorful little leather shoes and cute leather dungarees for toddlers lie right next to the bondage set. “Someone once wrote that you could buy something from me for your partnership. And then nine months later something for your child.”