YNOT – On April 6 in New York City, an international field of latex lovelies is set to battle for the title of Miss Rubber World 2013. The winner will walk away with a prize package worth more than $5,000 in fetish wear and accessories from Cocolate Latex, The Baroness, Cinched Tight Corsets, Dawnamatrix, Kink Engineering and FetishMovies.com.

Two runners-up will split another $5,000 in goodies provided by Demask, AM Statik, Fetisso and Lust Designs.

“The prizes are amazing,” said Psylocke, a fetish model who hails from Sweden. “I’ve never been to an American fetish party, so this will be very interesting for me to see.”

In addition to Psylocke, Miss Rubber World competitors this year include fetish model Julie Simone, Dominatrix Queen Titania, designer Madria of Madria Latex and Fetish Factory organizer Val Vampyre. All agree the title is nice, but most of them take part for the sheer rush of sensuality the over-the-top outfits evoke.

“There is an inherently sexual quality to latex clothing,” said sponsor Klawdya Rothschild of Klawtex. “It so resembles the texture of skin and is sleek and shiny. Latex is versatile enough to take the most subdued thing to the extreme, like a spotlight emanating out from your own body that radiates sensuality.”

Others participate for the sense of community they perceive during New York Rubber Ball, a weekend festival devoted to their favorite fetish.

“I’ve heard nothing but nice things about the entire Miss Rubber World team,” Floridian Vampyre said. “I literally want to come into that room and have a drink with everyone there.”

New York Rubber Ball kicks off with a launch party presented by Fixe Magazine April 4 at One on One on East 1st Street in New York City. The ball reaches its peak with the 2013 Miss Rubber World competition April 6 at the Union Square Ballroom at 27 Union Square West.

Latex lovers will find a full schedule, images of past events and information about and for Miss Rubber World competitors at NYRubberBall.com.