Bon Ton (brothel)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sex industry |
| Headquarters | New Zealand |
Number of locations | 2 brothels |
Area served | Auckland, Wellington |
Key people | Jennifer Souness |
| Products | Brothels |
| Services | Sexual services |
| Owner | Jennifer Souness |
| Website | www |
Bon Ton is a high-end[1] brothel chain in New Zealand. It operates two brothels in the country — one in the capital city Wellington and the other in the nation's largest city Auckland.[2][3] "Bon Ton" is a French word which means "good taste".[4] The brothel is owned by Jennifer Souness,[5] a former model who modeled for various European fashion labels.[3]
In a feature story on prostitution in New Zealand, the BBC News Online described Bon Ton as "an ideal showcase for New Zealand-style liberalisation." The brothel is characterized by quality rooms resembling luxury suites and a professionally maintained office.[1] Louise Jolliffe writing in The Wellington Guide asserted that Bon Ton looks closer to "a luxury lodge than a brothel".[3]
All the women working at Bon Ton have other occupations and work as prostitutes on a part-time basis. During employment testing, applicants are asked whether they like sex. Brothel owner Souness asserted these women like their work.[3] According to the BBC News Online, the escorts working at Bon Ton say they find the work environment respectful.[1]
Bon Ton bills itself as "a boutique agency for a select clientele" and states that it intends "to provide a tasteful and discreet haven for gentlemen to enjoy the attentions of elegant, beautifully groomed, intelligent women".[4] The website of the brothel invites potential clients to enter what is describes as a "safe and secret oasis where the outside world melts away".[6]
The Bon Ton website publishes biographies of their prostitutes – whom they refer to as "courtesans" – which include their age and brassiere measurement. As per the requirement by the Prostitution Reform Act 2003, Bon Ton has a safe sex policy that requires customers to wear condoms.[7] One hour service at Bon Ton costs 400 New Zealand dollars.[1][5]
Two members of the United Kingdom-based Women's Institute (WI) who visited various brothels throughout the world to check their quality and was featured in a BBC documentary titled The WI And The Search For The Perfect Brothel, voted Bon Ton the world's best brothel.[8][9]
References
- ^ a b c d "Selling sex legally in New Zealand". BBC News Online. 17 March 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
- ^ "Official Website of Bon Ton". Retrieved 15 April 2012.
- ^ a b c d Jolliffe, Louise (Autumn 2009). "Thoroughly Modern Madam" (PDF). The Wellington Guide (24): 28–33.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: year (link) - ^ a b "Brothel sues banker over bill". Stuff.co.nz. 1 January, 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b "School's cash went on sex and high living". The Dominion Post. 16 November, 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Jane Warren (5 November, 2011). "SHOULD PROSTITUTION BE LEGALISED?". Daily Express. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Tracey Tyler (29 September, 2010). "Legalized brothels 'fantastic' for New Zealand, prostitutes say". Toronto Star. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ PAUL EASTON (20 February, 2010). "Legal prostitution hot topic at Oxford debate". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "NZ brothels get thumbs up from UK grannies". The New Zealand Herald. 30 July, 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)