From what I have read and researched, over the years, my experiences of cross-dressing have followed a relatively conventional path, if such a thing is possible!!
The earliest memories of dressing up started as around 7-8 years old, over the years I would drift in and out of the desire to dress up in makeup and clothes, borrowed unbeknown from my sister and aunt who lived with us.
When old enough I started to buy items of feminine apparel and make up, often at extreme embarrassment to myself and then would discard these items periodically as the desire to dress evaporated resulting in a purge of all but the most precious or expensive items.
Due mainly to the lack of internet at that time, and my somewhat sheltered home life, I was not aware of the resources available for a young transvestite to enjoy and I hid my puzzling condition from the world.
As the years passed by and the accessibility of information became easier to research and obtain, I started to expand my horizons, all be it timidly, and it soon became apparent that the best way to satisfy my urge to dress was through dressing services where I could relax from the fear of being caught dressed at home by my parents, and at the same time achieve a level of authenticity otherwise unachievable to someone as inexperienced as myself.
As a result over the last 10 years or so I have visited a number of different dressing services with a range of experiences from the cheap and tacky to the insanely expensive but luxurious, and wanted to take the opportunity of reliving my most recent visit to “the Fourth Space” in Windsor.
Despite my now growing level of experience with regard to dressing services, I was still nervous as my wife parked the car opposite a row of beautifully restored and maintained Georgian style terrace houses, and with a kiss for luck and a “I can’t believe you’re doing this” shake of her head, I disembarked the car , took a deep breath and made my way to the imposing front door .
I ought to explain that the Fourth Space is run by Jo Jo and Tim/Tamara, a young couple who have an extensive and professional knowledge of fashion ,photography and modelling as well as being experienced within vibrant London cross-dressing scene, it soon became clear that the roles were split into JoJo weaving her magic with the makeup brush and Tim who took control of the dressing aspect and the photography.
Initial impressions are essential ,and what ensured that the Fourth Space stood out from the off was the class and quality of the establishment, this was a beautifully presented high quality property with ultra modern and chic decor that only served to heighten my level of expectancy for the day ahead.
We started by sitting down and having a 15 – 20min chat where I was put at ease and reassured as to how the day would unfold, and no doubt my hosts were able to assess their visitor , although I have to say that at no time was I made to feel this was anything other than a get to know one another session.
From this point on the dressing service and transformation started, I was shown into a bedroom and watched as my hosts opened a chest of draws to reveal rows of delicate lingerie in a range of pretty colours.
My chest, waste and height sizes had been previously supplied prior to my arrival and following an unhurried choice of underwear and the supply of a satin robe, I was left to dress and prepare myself for the much anticipated makeover.
Now feeling comfortable and pretty in my feminine undergarments, I proceeded to a light and airy room that was meticulously set out for the application of make up as if were an operating theatre, with brushes lined up and fresh new looking pots of makeup lined up in assortments of colour.
Jo Jo made no apologies for the fact that the makeup stage would take nothing short of 90min as this was her chance to ensure perfection in achieving an attractive and feminine appearance from a decidedly average looking man.
The high definition camera was switched on and JoJo proceeded to painstakingly walk me through each stage of the transformation, explaining the products and processes as well as demonstrating on herself where required to ensure I grasped the fundamentals of her skills.
It is not expected that one session will turn you into a professional makeup artist and an information sheet backed with a 90 min high def video of your personal makeover ensured that the torrent of information being divulged could be re-watched and digested at a more leisurely pace once back home.
I defy any cross dresser to deny that one of the most exhilarating moments of either a home or professional makeover is when the final touches of lip-gloss have been applied and the chosen wig is secured and teased into place to reveal the finished article.
There looking back at me in the large wall mounted mirror was the reflection of Jessica, the woman who lives inside of me 24 / 7 but who only occasionally gets to show herself .
Having revelled in my new glamour for a short time whilst we tried a number of hair styles and colours, I proceeded over to a smaller table where I had my false nails secured into place giving a fresh French manicure look to my hands adding to the increasingly convincing womanly appearance.
Tim guided me down a flight of stairs into a room full of assorted clothes, letting me gaze over the treasure chest of dresses , skirts, blouses and shoes like a child spoilt for choice in an overstocked sweetshop...I was in heaven!!
My fashion sense is truly dreadful and the clothes hanging in my wardrobe at home are overly girly and glamorous unrealistic for everyday wear, here was very different, the styles were contemporary and sexy and I happily let Tim throw together a series of outfits before choosing the first of 3-4 outfit changes.
Having slipped into a shorter dress than I would usually dare wearing I was helped into a pair of sexy heels , and adorned with complimenting accessories , such as earrings, bracelets and necklaces to complete the amazing transformation into looking as well as feeling like a woman.
The next 4-5 hours of my life passed by as Jessica, enjoying the experience of multiple outfit and accessory changes , each look captured by the professional skill and artistic genius of Tim’s high end Photographic equipment, if there is a heaven , then this is surely it and as the day grew to a close I was left to gaze lovingly at my amazingly transformed reflection in the mirror one last time before I had to return to my rewarding but straitjacketed life as a loving husband and father of three children.
Reflecting back In the cold light of day , the question has to be asked would I again spend what I found to be a substantial amount of money on a repeat experience with the Fourth Space or would I continue my journey into Dressing services at a more Northern location (where I originally lived) and at a more affordable venue.
The answer is absolutely unquestioned in my mind, I now cannot imagine a trip back to the UK without a return visit to the Fourth Space, where I hope to extend my dressing experiences to include an escorted shopping trip or even a night out depending on circumstances at the time.
Like drinking the finest of wines and then returning to a normal supermarket vintage and hoping to find it acceptable, my levels of expectation have been raised to the highest levels and any other dressing service will just fail to live up to the exacting standards delivered, how can I be sure....well experience and the 400+ photographs remind me of what perfection looks and feels like.
Whoever coined the phrase “you get what you pay for” clearly had the Fourth Space in mind!!!!
