Interview with Sam Roddick

When it comes to buying sex toys most of us are pretty clued up and know what we're looking for. Yet the majority are tacky, novelty items that aren't tested properly and pose a potential health risk. Coco de Mer has won awards for its non-toxic policies and for being the first shop to recognise these issues.

Proprietress Sam Roddick explains why glass is King and why she needs you to design a new toy...

Coco de Mer has clear ethics around its product choices and invests in local artisans and cottage industries. Has this caused any problems?

We're very restricted in what sex toys we buy and have to work really hard in educating people about our choices. I really believe that we are the first company in the UK to give our customers in-depth information. In the last century sex toys were thought of firstly, as a cure for dysfunction and then as a joke item. They are primarily sold as novelty items with no health or safety regulations. The companies making them take no responsibility for their use, which means they can make them out of any old material including plastics that have been banned and materials that can't be cleaned properly. The vagina and anus are the closest orifices to our bloodstream, which leaves us vulnerable to adverse effects from novelty products that aren't intended for use.

We only stock silicone - which has been tested by the medical and cosmetics industries, hard acrylics - which are non-porous and non-volatile, glass, and also wood that is varnished with the same material as is used on children's toys.

The biggest complaint is that our vibrators cost between £20-£69 and our dildos, £42-1000. People think they're expensive because they're so used to buying cheap products without realising how dangerous they are. My point is your vagina isn't cheap so don't treat it as such. Your body desires true pleasure and that means making healthy, informed choices. We think nothing of spending £150 on a pair of shoes so why should your vagina have to make do with a tenner? My vagina is happy with £69 and is even more delighted if I spoil her with £200! It's all about expectation and desire.

Your mother changed the face of business by bringing ethical concerns to it, how much has this influenced you in your choices?

My parents had a huge impact on me. Both of them put ethics above all else. There is no reason why we shouldn't take responsibility for every aspect of running a business. Coco de Mer is about injecting warmth, love, intimacy and beauty into the subject of sex. I believe in supporting local talent and a lot of our products are made by our oldest customers who design specifically for us, which is fantastic. Others are fair-traded by cottage industries in Brazil, India and Turkey. The sourcing of products and the integrity behind that is as important to me as my customer. Where products come from and who makes them is integral to having a harmonious society. Love and respect should be weaved into all aspects of life. We all deserve food, water, shelter, education and health care, and we all deserve to live without fear or slavery.

My parents taught me to live life with passion and meaning and to be frank about all that matters to me. I believe in what I do and I hope that all the people who work with me feel I believe in them, too.

Your glass dildos are incredibly popular. Why is glass superior to plastic, latex or silicone?

Glass is the most pleasurable and safest sex toy you can use. This is because penetration doesn't require vibration - the best place for that is on the clitoris. Our glass dildos don't vibrate. Imagine a wine glass in soapy water - it feels like liquid and is impossible to hold in your hands. That's the beauty of glass. People think that a soft material is more comfortable but in fact the opposite is true. Glass is soft - it goes where you intend it to go, whereas other sex toys tend to bend in places you don't want them to! You can't imagine a feeling you haven't had and when it comes to sex it's surprising what feels good.

What should we be aware of when buying a sex toy?

Check what it's made of. Ask yourself what you want to achieve and think about how you normally orgasm. If you can only come through clitoral stimulation and want to during intercourse then a palm-sized vibrator is great because you can use it on your clit while you're having sex.

Customers can now shop online at your new interactive site. What are your bestselling products?

People love our erotic pharmacy products and the bondage gear is always a big seller. Anal sex, though, seems to be the collective favourite.

Gentleman's Relish, Coco Fesse Bath Milk, Ruby Sunrise Clitoris Cream - great names - what inspired you?

Rumi, the 12th century poet of spiritual love. We've used quotes from his poems on our packaging as well as some from my favourite book, Eroticon.

Your massage oils are edible and designed to 'drive people into rages of carnal desire'. What's the secret ingredient?

(Laughs) Natural ingredients and no sugar!

What's the future of the sex toy? What would you love to see on the market?

Mmm, a beautiful clockwork-fucking machine that looks like it belongs in a French 17th century garden...

Goldierocks jet set tips

By DJ Goldierocks

"Goldierocks Top Tips to jet setting in style"
By DJ Goldierocks

DJ and blonde-haired rock'n'roll vixen Sam Hall, aka Goldierocks spends six months a year trekking from field to yacht to super club and back again spreading her eclectic mix of music around the globe. But always being on the move, the inevitable fatigue and those damn air luggage restrictions play havoc with her skin and her fashion sense. Here's Goldierocks' guide to looking good, travelling light and staying stylish in the skies.

Moisturiser
You're a fool if you think a wee dab of moisturiser after your shower will get you through a 4 hour flight. Cabin air is the devil for skin. Be prepared for oil overload, breakout and skin as rough and temperamental as a grumpy alligator. Not ideal if you're going to have to go straight to a party when you land. I never get on a plane without Lancôme Hydra-Zen Day Cream and Dermalogica Special Clearing Booster. Kiehl's Organic French Rosewater is wonderful for refreshing pores; with real rose petals it brings skin alive again. This goes for lip balm too, get an extra nourishing one, designed for weather beaten smackers to make lips really supple on arrival. I love Nivea SOS lip balm and it's cheap as chips!

Berocca
Every DJ's secret weapon. I've lost track of the number of flights I've stumbled on to an hour after I've left a club. Flying hung-over is the worst thing EVER. Berocca is your godsend. Pop one of those an hour before you fly and watch the fuzzy lines in front of your eyes slowly disperse.

Munch
You wouldn't sit at home and over a couple of hours work your way through huge bags of greasy crisps, over-processed dairy products and fizzy drinks, so why does travelling suddenly make it acceptable? Whole Foods Soya Nuts, a massive bottle of still mineral water and a mini bar of vegan friendly Green and Blacks means the inevitable boredom binge doesn't do too much damage.

Mini Toiletries
Mini's rock. Not only do they mean you're not lumbered with hotel shampoos but because of ongoing security measures, nearly all your usual hair cleansers are available in 100ml bottles to comply with carry on luggage. Aussie, Phillip Kingsley, Palmer's Cocoa Body Butter and Bumble & Bumble now offer nearly all their products in travel size.

False Eyelashes
No matter how tired/grubby/bloated you feel, don a pair of fake eyelashes and you'll automatically transform yourself into a sexy glamour puss. Eyelure Tokyo are doing a limited edition blue feather set at the mo that are amazing! I never play a show without them.

And for the suitcase...
Always pack a bikini.. always. Going to Alaska.. pack a bikini. You never know when the hotel may have a pool/your bra strap breaks/there may be an imprompto Jacuzzi party in the King suite the floor above you/ the tour bus shower breaks and your parked by Brighton pier/ some sneaky sunbathing time when your flight's delayed. Let's just say it gives room to be a bit spontaneous while maintaining just a little bit of modesty..

A sturdy and sassy travel bag
I'd be lost without my large patchwork Miu Miu tote, but there's nothing like a classic Louis Vuitton travel case. PPQ have some totally covetable oversized patent totes that are perfect for overnight stays. Just be sure you can ram all you junk in them.

And another thing..
Now don't make life difficult for yourself, - do as much of your preening at home as you can. Wax and tan up the evening before. If you're smooth, bronzed and smiling on the outside no one will guess you're jet lagged to hell. Urban Retreat at Harrods is my waxer of choice in London, virtually pain free (no really - it's all in the hot wax). A light shade of St Tropez spray tan (but not stupidly heavy, we don't want to look like Barbie) and you're good to go.

Your tick list of extras..
Good book, i-Pod, international sim card, cooling eye mask, passport, anti-reddening eye drops, my massive cashmere pashmina that I picked up in Varanasi in India (can double up as a blanket/sling/cloa0, white 70's vintage Pioneer headphones, Jo Malone travel candles, DJ records!, black patent Burberry platforms, sugarfree gum (cos coffee breath is a no no), a fab frock (preferably vintage, Paul & Joe, Luella or Marc Jacobs at the mo), cowboy boots and some sexy knickers.

Happy flying! xx

www.goldierocks.co.uk
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