Why is it that guys can’t have sex toys? I mean, we can, and we do, but for whatever reason there’s a stigma attached to the ones made with a guy in mind. Say 'sex toy' and you’re more likely to think of something designed for a woman than a man, and that's because the sex toy market is heavily skewed towards women.
This is not to get political since in nearly every other aspect, the opposite is true. But sex toys aren’t a thing (for straight guys at least) cos it’s comparatively easier for men to cum than women, so maybe guys don’t think their sex lives will be improved by them.
This weird disparity is even more interesting when you consider sex straight up: it’s traditionally far more acceptable for a guy to sleep around and not have a sex toy, while for girls you can have a sex toy stashed in your bedside table by all means, you just can’t sleep around.
Step up Amorelie, the German brand singlehandedly shifting this stigma by selling high quality, sleekly designed sex toys for guys, girls and couples. Founded in 2012, Amorelie applies the same aesthetic standards and expectations to the toys they sell as you'd expect from your smartphone or a piece of furniture. Design references range from Scandinavian minimalism, to French Nouveau réalisme with Yves Klein's famous Yves Klein Blue, to the dazzle camouflage that was draped across WWI battle ships.
For an introduction, we sat down with Amorelie cofounder Sebastian Pollok to ask the questions we all want to know about sex toys for guys, but were too afraid to ask...
What makes a good or a bad sex toy?
In general, good love toys consists of soft and comfortable materials with high quality, medical-grade silicon, strong motors with little noise and, of course, an ergonomic shape that fits the human body. Given the multitude of products available, everything else simply comes down to preference. However, some newcomers to the market have really managed to push the envelope on what we define as a “good” love toy. These brands and products take from contemporary design and have the same standard in terms of aesthetics that we expect from top-notch interior design or our smartphones.
How exactly do you make a sex toy?
As with every product, we start with the customer. Who are we targeting and what do they want? Design and functionality are very much informed by that target customer.
We then define the visual character of the product and execute multiple designs. We iterate until we've found a design and shape that fits and then we push into rapid prototyping with 3D printing and then casting the product in silicone. We have a group of expert toy testers to test the fit and functionality. Throughout this process we make adjustments to ensure perfect fit. When everything is approved, the toys go into production.
Making sure our customers are informed is one of our top priorities and we believe this shouldn’t end with the sale of the toy. Which is why we created the Amorelie Magazin, which deep dives into topics like bondage, clitoral versus G-spot pleasure, and pleasure for guys as well.
As a boyfriend or girlfriend, what product would you recommend to buy your partner, dependent on experience?
For women, I would definitely recommend the VOU Ucino. Did you know the clitoris has legs? Most people don’t know, and this product targets both the clitoris and the g-spot with its distinct U-shaped design. Alternatively, the Womanizer promises the quickest clitoral orgasm (two minutes). It produces pulsating pressure waves that directly stimulate the clitoris.
For men, I'd recommend the new BOLD series. All the toys look great, feel great, and are a real change to the majority of out-dated, male-focused products available on the market. For couples, a great present for a man is a partner toy, for example the We-Vibe 4 Plus. Its C-shaped design allows for stimulation of both partners during intercourse as it stimulates both clitoris and g-spot and men feel it during penetration. Additionally you get a remote control for nice “power plays.”
What's a good entry-level sex toy for a guy?
We'd say a masturbation toy like the Bullet from BOLD. It’s a change-up to what guys are used to and allows for more interesting stimulation. This toy is made of super-stretchy material and can fit men of all sizes. The structured inner surface stimulates perfectly and it is easy to use – anytime, anywhere.
Any simple tips on hygiene and maintenance?
It’s important to always clean your sex toys before and after use. Keep in mind that not all toys are created equal and for those that aren’t fully waterproof (always check this beforehand), fully submerging your toys in water can be an issue. We recommend to always use an anti-bacterial toy cleaner to protect both yourself and your sex toys. As a result you’ll have lots of fun with your toy for a very long time.
How and why did Amorelie start?
Amorelie was founded in 2013 by my co-founder Lea-Sophie Cramer and me. We had the idea around the growing hype of the Fifty Shades of Grey books. We were astonished that everyone was reading these books in public without any shame. So we began wondering: where would these people reading these books shop if they were looking for a love toy. Obviously, the dodgy and sleazy sex shops we're used to wouldn't really fit. But as we couldn't find a sensual and inspiring online shop, we decided to start our own.
What makes Amorelie and the products you stock different?
We want to completely redefine the image of the erotic industry through our fashion-forward approach to design, shopping and marketing. Our online shop, we think, offers a fresh and a bit more of a stylish approach that inspires people and offers high quality products.
When we established Amorelie, we asked ourselves, "what do we want to see?" So we've taken this approach to the products in our store, ensuring that every single brand is specifically chosen to communicate the high expectations we have ourselves.
Does making sex socially acceptable and open make it less... sexy?
I think being more open about sex can only be a good thing. It means that people are able to share their feelings and desires and stops people feeling shame and stigma about the expression of their sexual selves. We want people to have happy, confident and fulfilling sex lives and the more comfortable we feel with ourselves, the more chance we will have of achieving this.
We hope that through Amorelie we can open up a dialogue around sex and intimacy that makes many more people feel comfortable embracing their sex lives without shame and I think this surely will make sex more saucy, rather than less!
For more on what Amorelie are stocking, check out their online store.
