“At WISP we think of sexuality as an experience that exists beyond the genitals.”

Sometimes, simple is better. When British company WISP started combining jewellery, sensual experiences, and sexuality, the original idea was to achieve this goal by way of high-tech hardware. But as it turned out, the customers prefer a simpler concept. In our EAN interview, Oli Lipski, Sensual Strategist for WISP, tells us about more about the SENS collection and the increasing importance of sensuality in the erotic industry.

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WISP is a very unusual product: Where most products on the erotic market are aiming to stimulate the body in one way or another, you focus on the sense of smell. How would you describe WISP in your own words?
Oli Lipski: WISP is a brand dedicated to sensual wellbeing, female empowerment, and sexual exploration that focuses on the arousal journey of the senses rather than genital stimulation or orgasms.

SENS Sensual Jewellery is WISP’s debut sensual collection of silver rings, earrings, and necklaces with interchangeable massage and fragrance orbs that are designed to stimulate the senses, specifically smell and touch.

These orbs encourage a deeper connection to your body, your emotions, and your surroundings. The jewellery can be worn and used in multiple ways for the wearer to enjoy a personal experience, unique to their needs.

Before we continue talking about WISP, could you introduce yourself first?
My name is Oli Lipski, and I am WISP’s Sensuality Strategist. I joined the team in February 2019 when SENS was launched. I have known the designer, Wan Tseng, for many years – since she developed the concept of WISP.

I graduated with degrees in the history of sexuality and the culture of sex robots. I’ve worked with multiple sex tech brands on a mission of sex-positivity, with a lens of inclusivity and accessibility.

Since working with WISP, I am drawn to the softer side of the matter: sensuality. Using the senses as a force for redefining sex education and to tackle stigma around pleasure.

The development of WISP started in 2016 and it took some time for the jewellery to reach market maturity. But how have the products and the company developed in recent years?
After many experiential workshops with potential customers over the past few years, WISP discovered that people were mostly interested in the emotional outcome of the product, rather than the iOT.

Taking this into consideration but keeping the Sensual Tech spirit of the brand the electronic hardware originally involved became simplified. What was once an electronic atomizer, has now become a patent-pending scent releasing mechanism that gently diffuses the perfumes.

What was once a “tickling-touch” experience, with an electronically controlled feather, we simplified into massage tool for people to enjoy with a partner and not just alone.

On your website, you describe WISP as “Sensual Tech”.  What is the difference to Sex Tech or other traditional sex toys?
At WISP we think of sexuality as an experience that exists beyond the genitals. Sensuality is something that we can access at any given time. Whether we choose to harness our sensuality, to connect to our erotic intimacy or just to relax into our senses, our experience can be enhanced with tools such as SENS.

Where Sex Tech is typically limited to the bedroom, WISP started a ‘Sensual Tech’ movement that allows us to be curious and explorative about our sensuality wherever we go. Focusing on and centring foreplay that takes our sexual curiosity and sensual exploration out of the bedroom and into your everyday. This is where arousal and wellbeing together become a wider and more accessible concept.

Let’s talk about your portfolio. Which products do you currently offer?
Currently, we offer two necklaces, a ring, a ring-cuff, earrings and an ear-cuff. Each jewellery item is made of 925 sterling silver and can be personalised with the wearers chosen massage or fragrance orbs. Out of the massage stone selection, WISP offers Rose Quartz, Violet Amethyst and White Howlite – each handpicked and polished to spherical perfection. Massaging tension out of pressure points in the hands, arms, neck and shoulders encourage a state of calm needed to feel physically aroused.

Out of the fragrance orbs, WISP offers a selection of six unique scents, each crafted by Parisian and London-based perfumers. Each orb represents a mood or a sensory rich environment and has the ability to shift a state of mind into relaxation and sensual reconnection.

At first glance, it looks like a different way of wearing perfume. Where is the difference?
This is a totally unique way of wearing perfume. Where other perfumes interact with people’s skin, sweat, heat, or clothing, these fragrances were designed not to go on the skin. They are designed to diffuse in an entirely unique way.

Founder of WISP and designer of SENS, Wan Tseng, spent two years developing the patent-pending scent releasing technology incorporated into this jewellery. This mechanism diffuses the scent at the touch of the wearer to ensure the perfume is slow releasing and sustainably long lasting. Once empty, the wearer can send the orb back to be refilled or add more orbs to their collection.

Even though our perfume is organic based and skin-safe, the fact that it is not skin-interactive is good for those who may have sensitive skin or allergies.

Which aesthetic aspects were particularly important to you while designing the jewellery? Why do they look the way they do today?
Early prototypes of the jewellery were very futuristically conceptual. Something you may see in a sci-fi movie. After much market research, Wan knew she had to create something that was not only physically sensual to touch and smell, but visually sensual to the eye.

The aesthetic is based on unisex geometric shapes that are statement pieces. We wanted to create something that was a conversation starter to challenge the taboo around sensuality. Some say our Venus collection reminds them of a vulva and clitoris, offering up a subliminal message of sexuality.

Who is WISP’s target group?
In our workshops, members of the LGBTQ community are typically the first to support our projects. Particularly for the fact that these pieces are statement items that seek to tackle taboo around sex and sexuality.

Not only that, but WISP tends to attract people who are curious about their sensual wellbeing and keen to explore themselves more intimately.
The type of women who are drawn to SENS are interested in female empowerment and in their own personal development. They may be the busy type, in need of a product that can help them ground into the present moment to help them with their goals. Or they feel disconnected from themselves, or their partner, and in need of a tool to build confidence around their sensuality and desires.

Are products for more sensuality something that is currently in short supply on the erotic market?
Not quite there yet. There are products that want to encourage sexual health and wellbeing via apps which are amazing. There are Sex Tech products that utilise vibration in more creative ways, and of course there are various kink items out there designed to stimulate the senses. However, we are yet to see a serious market that prioritises sensuality.

The concept of WISP is quite unique. So, there is the question, how do you want to educate the consumers and convince them of the strengths of your concept?
Our long-term aim at WISP is to help change people’s perceptions around intimacy. When it comes to educating our customers, we hope they would be curious and open-minded about going on a journey of learning about the power of their sensuality on their wellbeing, sexuality and relationships.

Through my research, I had discovered the benefits of sensuality on people’s overall wellbeing, for example studies have shown that calming the mind with massage and fragrances can help to release the love-bonding hormone, oxytocin. More of this in the body means less cortisol, the stress hormone, and in a society of growing mental health concerns, this can only be a good thing.

Do you work with distributors? Where can retailers order your products?
Currently, we only sell online and retail in various concept stores around the world. You can regularly find us in London, Milan and Taipei at popup stores to experience our products. We even had a panel and workshop event in a London popup store on December 17th for guests to try on our designs and learn about Seasonal Sensual Self-Care.

Are you planning on releasing new jewellery designs or scents?  
Yes, we are working on more scents, and will be releasing a new design in Spring 2020. We have also been working on a vibration orb, to add variety to the massage aspect of the jewellery. We are also working with a new perfumer to release more scents.

Will there be other sensual tech products in the future?
Absolutely. Touch, smell, taste, sound… you name it. Sensuality is what makes us human, it’s what makes us feel alive. In harnessing the senses through technology, the future of sex tech will have to prioritise sensuality. We are already seeing products such as audio erotica apps, wearable vibrators and long-distance soft-haptic technology. Sensuality is an infinite mindfield, limited only by the imagination.