New Leather

In contrast to "Old Leather," which started in the 1940s and is arguably the forerunner of all contemporary BDSM communities, "New Leather" refers to the more recent style of BDSM practice and communities. New Leather depends less on formal training and hierarchies and is more individualistic, informal, and social.

More About New Leather

The name New Leather, sometimes known as New Guard, characterizes those who participate in the leather community but don't follow the stringent norms and hierarchies of the Old Guard communities.

More commercialization and acceptance by the general public, along with a more significant number of BDSM participants who may not be interested in the leather subculture, are the reasons for this, according to experts and community members. (Although they are connected, BDSM and the leather subculture do not always follow each other.)

Some authors contend that the two tendencies—one toward individualism and free form and the other toward militaristic-style hierarchy and protocol—have persisted since the leather subculture's inception in post-World War II biker gangs.

In light of this, New Leather may not be so new, but there may be enough participants now to identify something that has always been official.