Bon Ton (brothel)

Bon Ton is a high-end brothel chain in New Zealand.[1] 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 term which means "good taste".[4] The brothel is owned by Jennifer Souness,[5] a former model who modeled for various European fashion labels.[3]

Bon Ton
Private
IndustrySex industry
HeadquartersNew Zealand
Number of locations
2 brothels
Area served
Auckland, Wellington
Key people
Jennifer Souness
ProductsBrothels
ServicesSexual services
OwnerJennifer Souness
Websitewww.bonton.co.nz

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".[1] 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 makes invitation calls to potential clients to come into what is described 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 of 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 were 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
  1. "Selling sex legally in New Zealand". BBC News Online. 17 March 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  2. "Official Website of Bon Ton". Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  3. Jolliffe, Louise (Autumn 2009). "Thoroughly Modern Madam" (PDF). The Wellington Guide (24): 28–33. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-05-26.
  4. "Brothel sues banker over bill". Stuff.co.nz. 1 January 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  5. "School's cash went on sex and high living". The Dominion Post. 16 November 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  6. Jane Warren (5 November 2011). "SHOULD PROSTITUTION BE LEGALISED?". Daily Express. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  7. Tracey Tyler (29 September 2010). "Legalized brothels 'fantastic' for New Zealand, prostitutes say". Toronto Star. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  8. PAUL EASTON (20 February 2010). "Legal prostitution hot topic at Oxford debate". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  9. "NZ brothels get thumbs up from UK grannies". The New Zealand Herald. 30 July 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
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