Madam Lash: Gretel Pinniger's Scandalous Life of Sex, Art and Bondage

by Sam Everingham

The shocking, outrageous, highly entertaining biography of one of Australia's most colorful women—dominatrix and courtesan, Gretel Pinniger, aka "Madame Lash" Gretel Pinniger, dominatrix, fetishist, artist, and courtesan to the rich and famous has been shocking and outraging Australia for decades. Never shy of publicity, this daughter of a handsome war hero and philanderer from the Melbourne establishment once wanted to become a nun. Instead, she threw her leather-clad body into a wild world of sex, drugs, and riotous parties. She danced with Elton John, catered to Clyde Packer's more creative sexual fantasies, and knocked around with Sydney underworld boss Lennie McPherson. She also found herself a fabulously wealthy patron, who bequeathed her a generous stipend so long as his name is never disclosed by her. Despite once marrying and becoming a mother, there is nothing ordinary about the outlandish Madame Lash. Join Sam Everingham as he takes you into the most colorful corners of Gretel Pinniger's scandalous life.

276 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2010

Reviews

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 2 out of 5]

‘.. popular girls were less interesting people.’

Gretel Pinniger, known as Madame Lash to her clients, has shocked and thrilled Australian society for some 40 years. During her career, Ms Pinniger has made a name as an artist, a fashion designer and as a dominatrix. Ms Pinniger has also stood for a seat in the Australian Senate.

But who is Gretel Pinniger, and how much of Ms Pinniger is represented by Madame Lash? And which of her multiple legacies would she most wish to be remembered for? I read this book to try to get some sense of the woman behind the legend – especially of the artist who has twice been a finalist for the Archibald Prize.

I have mixed feelings about this book. It’s full of stories about Ms Pinniger: all of those titillating anecdotes about drug use and wealthy patrons; the flair for publicity and the headlines. Ms Pinniger has taken exception to some of what is included in this book which, naturally, generates its own interest. What is fact, and what is fiction? Has Ms Pinniger been misrepresented? Or, perhaps, has she been misunderstood? It’s difficult to know: so much of Ms Pinniger’s life has been lived in public there is little left with which to shock or surprise. Interesting as the anecdotes are, especially to those of us who know the legend not the person, I wanted to know more about Gretel Pinniger.

If you are interested in the life and times of Madame Lash and an aspect of Sydney subculture from the 1970s, this book will answer some of your questions. If you want to know more about the motivations of Gretel Pinniger the woman behind Madame Lash, you may be disappointed.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Elle B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book - light on the torrid stuff but it paints an engaging and well rounded picture of a very intersting, creative and slightly mad, individual.

[Sam]

I wrote this one