Having Sex with a Doll: the Experience of a Doll Brothel Owner

The emergence of sex doll brothels has sparked debates and discussions surrounding various social and ethical issues. Some argue that they provide a safe and consensual outlet for sexual expression, offering an alternative to traditional brothels and reducing the risk of harm to human sex workers. Others raise concerns about the objectification of women, the potential impact on interpersonal relationships, and ethical questions regarding consent and autonomy.

Public attitudes toward sex doll brothels vary widely, reflecting diverse cultural, religious, and moral values. While some individuals view them as a legitimate form of adult entertainment and personal expression, others may condemn them as immoral or dehumanizing. It’s a complex and multifaceted topic, encompassing technology, psychology, ethics, and cultural issues. 

In 2020, the first interactive doll brothel opened in Berlin. People could visit this brothel to play and have sex with Kokeshi. Kokeshi was a silicone doll designed to be human-like, with a unique personality. Most interestingly, Kokeshi was interactive. Clients could talk to her in real-time and interact with her sexually and verbally. How could the doll talk? In a different room, there was a voice actress who communicated with the visitor through a sound system and engaged with him sexually while he physically interacted with the doll. Later, more dolls were added, each with a unique personality, and each had its own voice actress, which was carefully selected. 

One of the founders of the brothel was Alexis Smiley Smith. Alexis was part of a small team that conceptualized and developed the brothel, designed the personality of Kokeshi, and was Kokeshi’s voice actress. 

In this interview, Alexis Smith, a copywriter, language architect, and sex feminist, shares with us her experience in developing the character of Kokeshi, the first sex doll of the brothel she owned. Alexis describes her interaction with the clients through the doll, the process of creating the scripts, the management of consent and boundaries, and the importance of sexual empathy. She also explains how her feminist perspective influenced the relationship with the clients and the challenge of keeping a sex business ethical. 

Insights about men’s and women’s sexual pleasure and emotional attachment to the doll are also touched on in this inspirational talk, where issues are discussed without prejudice through the lens of a special witness. 

Produced in 2024