Fetish Temple is part of a lifelong journey, a journey we are on together, in community. Like me, Fetish Temple has seen a number of incarnations over the years. Like you, it will continue to evolve.
My name is Lawrence. I am the artist, craftsman and visionary behind Fetish Temple.
I began creating leather items in 1984. I was 13. I started experimenting early with sex, kink, and spirituality; I wanted equipment to support my experiments. BDSM gear wasn't as readily available then as it is now, so I had to make my own. The results of my experiments and efforts eventually filled my first brick and mortar storefront, Descension U.K. in Detroit, MI. It was 1998.
In '99 we moved to a larger location. It had huge, ornate doors, 20' ceilings and rows of giant pillars. I understood then that I had entered my temple of fetish, a place to explore, learn and share in community. The name became Fetish Temple, and remains so.
The new location lent itself well to community gatherings and I began holding teaching circles that touched on every aspect of BDSM, from technique to deep D/s. I hosted dungeon play parties for an ever-growing circle of friends, family and fellow seekers. Y2K found Fetish Temple hosting a national BDSM convention, attended by over 800 people: E.L.A. (Extreme Lifestyle Alternatives). The event featured such top-notch practitioners and educators as Fetish Diva Midori, Master Piercer Elayne Angel, Joseph Bean of Chicago's LA&M, highly sought after whip maker Joe Wheeler and the incomparable Lolita Wolf. In the following years we took Fetish Temple on the road and became one of the finest and largest traveling vendors on the national BDSM convention circuit.
Life happens. Several events, stores and cutscenes later, I found myself madly in love and I moved to California. When I was younger, California somehow seemed to call to me; it felt like I knew that part of my education was to occur there. I had no idea how significant an experience it would turn out to be. Once there, I found a teacher and began a course of study in mysticism and shamanism that I maintain to this day. I began to dismantle not only myself, but also Fetish Temple. Taking this apart lets you choose what to keep, and what no longer serves. The Fetish Temple you see here on this website, today, is the result of years of becoming and lots of heartful intent. Fetish Temple is both vehicle for and the result of my lifework.
In 2010 we moved to Berkeley, CA to pursue the highest vision of ourselves. My partner is working on her PhD; I continue to work on my own higher education in artistic vision in and through the service I offer you as Fetish Temple.
I wish you a lucid journey as you come to your own path at the intersection of Spirit and Fuck.
Lawrence Alvarado
Fetish Temple Mastercrafter
