Upmarket erotic emporium “Coco de Mer” was founded by Sam Roddick, whose interview appeared in the Observer this weekend. The shop sells expensive but achingly beautiful items of lingerie and bondage equipment (so, if anyone fancies buying me a present… hintity hint…?) As the daughter of the late Anita Roddick, Body Shop proprietor and pioneer of ethical consumerism – and Gordon Roddick who co-founded the Big Issue – Sam is continuing her parents’ legacy of human-rights activism. The sale of classy kink-fodder is combined with campaigns for sexual education and health for the young, gender equality, an end to sex-trafficking and, working alongside Oxfam, Roddick is fighting the epidemic of sexual violence in war-ravaged Congo. She is also an advocate of sex-positive Feminism – a kind of Feminism that “comes with a pair of really lacy knickers”. If you can afford it, this is kink for a good cause.

Here is part of the description of one particular product from the website:

“Bondage for Freedom is the Activist arm of Coco de Mer.

This set is comprised of a silk satin blindfold with the words “the only real freedom is freedom from fear” and a silk satin wrist restraint inside a cotton drawstring bag. All profit goes to charity.

Bondage for Freedom is a collective of cutting edge creative thinkers whose goal is to provide a FREE creative service for organizations that are fighting for human or environmental rights.

This ever-growing community of geniuses and outlaws are creating irresistible and inspiring films, music and live interactive events and exhibitions. Their goal is to instigate and encourage a tidal wave of sexy, hilarious and hard-hitting masterpieces to raise awareness, effect change and manifest shit-loads of money for non-profit organizations and causes.”

See more here.