New Hero: Genevieve LeJeune
Meet new hero, Genevieve LeJeune, founder of Skirt Club, a members-only private community for women-only play parties. AURORE chatted to Genevieve about the need to exclude men, discovering her bisexuality, sober daytime sex, and the sexiest city she’s played in.
Why was it important to you to create women-only parties?
I had been to one or two co-ed parties and noticed that women often performed for their male partners in these scenarios. There was great emphasis on pleasing HIM. I had not witnessed women taking pleasure for themselves and I questioned why.
Women often prioritise another’s needs, before their own. I wanted to experiment with how women behaved without men present. And after 10 years of hosting women-only sex parties I can tell you, they behave very differently.
There is a certain amount of pressure and persuasion instilled by men, and it needn’t be verbalised. It’s a symptom of the society we live in. As young girls we are raised to never ask for much. I felt that should change.
So without the influence of meeting a man’s desires, I invited HER to explore her own.
Photo by Victoria Dawe for Skirt Club
Literature on skirt club suggests most members are in committed hetero relationships. is that true, and if so, why do you think that's the main customer?
In truth we do not know the relationship status of our members, it’s not something we ask them on joining the club. But talking to Members at our events, there is often a reference to a husband or partner at home waiting for their return. Or frequently I hear that Skirt Club was recommended by him, as a safe way to explore her sexuality. Male partners take comfort in the fact we maintain a man-free space and organisation.
Women want to explore, but they need it to be handled safely with proper consent practices and an atmosphere that creates the sensuality they crave.
Photo by Victoria Dawe for Skirt Club
When and how did you initially realize your interest in women?
Personally, I was a late bloomer. Partially because I did not feel this part of me would be accepted by the world I lived in. At 35 years old my sexuality was fully embraced and encouraged by my partner at that time and Skirt Club blossomed out of this era of self discovery.
It demanded a lot of courage coming out to the World via The Sunday Times, something I had not anticipated. But here we are.
We love that you attend every party personally—what are some of your favorite memories?
I’m quite the party girl and love to witness women shine. It’s a spectacular sight, something I've never grown tired of. Sexual liberation has the sweetest scent and I'm in love with instigating it.
My favourite memories are from the very start when the concept was so brazen and new. The shock factor was REAL, for myself equally. Snapshots I took in my mind, I’ll never let go of:
2014 - we managed to squeeze 6 women into a bubble bath, and the champagne was served.
2015 - our first 100 person party in London, a sea of limbs and impossible to count the bodies. Every surface was covered in nakedness.
2017 - launching in New York and the event was sold out, I was in awe of how we crammed 70 women I'd never met before into a secret Tribeca bar. NYC was ready for change.
2019 - Skirt Club Dance Party NYC, below freezing outside in January but hot and steamy in, we had serious female DJs, but the main action was in the VIP lounge. The floor was carpeted in writhing lingerie-less ladies. Note, it’s important to have music with a deep bass.
Photo by Victoria Dawe for Skirt Club
How do you think sexual exploration and empowerment leads to more confidence in life and at work for women?
There is nothing more honest than owning your truth. By embracing, and by that I mean fundamentally accepting yourself, an inner confidence is born. For me that was a surge of relief, and exuberance that propelled me forward with a new found confidence at work. I no longer shied away at the back of a meeting. I owned it.
I had been quite reserved for many years working in finance, a male dominated industry. Suddenly I had nothing to hide. More importantly I knew I'd experienced something way beyond my colleagues' imagination, at the weekend. Suddenly I was the risk-taker and the world wasn’t such a scary place, nothing could faze me now.
Photo by Victoria Dawe for Skirt Club
What do you wish you had known sooner about sex/your sexuality?
That it really doesn’t matter what other people think. And that sexuality is fluid, do not expect that attaching a label means you must behave in a certain way or stick to this flavour of sexuality forever. The more you experiment, the more you like what you find.
What brings you pleasure?
That's something I'm working on this year. Having organised pleasure for thousands the past decade I'm seeking my own fulfillment right now. My pleasure is based in deep intimacy and connecting with someone one-on-one. Sober daytime sex is my current favourite pastime, along with ice-cream on the beach.
What's the sexiest city in your opinion?
Milan. Hands down. I had to buy a new wardrobe to keep up with those girls.
What's on the soundtrack of a skirt club party?
The Skirt Club playlists. We have many, but the most often played is our Sexy & Slow list. It’s mostly deep house.
What do you see for the future of skirt club?
Well it’s certainly the right time to ponder this as we near our 10th birthday celebrations. I see further global expansion for Skirt Club reaching smaller cities where women are stepping into the self-love realm with an eager desire to explore on her own terms. Previously this has been a luxury of more independent city dwellers. The world is progressing and women are at the forefront of evolving humanity for the better. Let love rise.
Cover photo by Carol von Zumwalt