I felt a little funny cruising down I-95 in a bondage-style bodysuit, wondering—what would a cop say if I got pulled over like this? Then again, it’s Miami. They’ve probably seen wilder. When I arrived, the atmosphere hit before the music did. I stepped out, adjusted my outfit, and started walking toward the hotel. Even the parking lot buzzed with anticipation: a steady parade of latex suits, strappy silhouettes, and sky-high heels all making their way to the same electric destination.
Inside, the lobby pulsed with barely-contained glamour. At the pool, latex sirens moved under the lights, dancing to a beat that rippled through the warm South Florida air. This wasn’t just any night out—it was Fetish Factory’s anniversary party back in 2017. I haven’t been back in a while, but I know the essence hasn’t changed. Now, as they celebrate their 30th anniversary with five days, eight events, and a legacy that’s helped shape the U.S. fetish scene, one thing remains clear: Fetish Factory is still the gold standard for unapologetic self-expression.
Fetish Factory didn’t start as a global fetish brand. It started as a radical idea—and a serious leap of faith. Back in 1995, Glenn and Donna were leaving behind careers in pharmacy to pioneer something that had never been done in South Florida: a fully integrated fetish business, built around a simple but ambitious vision—store, party, community. At a time when latex wasn’t on anyone’s radar and the idea of a “fetish party” conjured nothing but blank stares, they were already imagining a space where fashion, kink, and connection could collide.
“We realized that trying to establish a fetish movement in Florida would be especially difficult,” Glenn recalls, mindful of the state’s reputation for conservatism. “There were no retail stores selling latex fashions anywhere in the U.S., and people had no clue what rubber clubbing even was. But South Florida always had a provocative edge. We wanted to create a social experiment—and that’s exactly what we did.”
That experiment became Alter Ego, a strict dress code monthly event that quickly carved out space for South Florida’s growing fetish community. But it didn’t come easy. From the start, Fetish Factory ran up against institutional resistance: banks wouldn’t open business accounts, landlords didn’t want to lease to a store with “fetish” in the name, and credit card processors flat-out denied service.
“No one wanted to take us seriously,” Donna says. “We had to fight for every inch—just to be able to operate.”
On top of that, they were early adopters of technology—too early, in fact. Glenn remembers investing heavily in building not just an online store, but two full-scale fetish social networks before Facebook or Myspace existed.
“We spent a fortune trying to connect the dots and keep the community alive online,” he says. “We were running our own servers out of a cabinet inside a big box company just to make it work.”
Despite all odds, they didn’t just survive—they built a movement. Over the years, Fetish Factory has hosted hundreds of events, drawn thousands from across the globe, and influenced an entire generation of organizers, clubs, and alternative nightlife communities.
“I’m 100% sure we’ve impacted events around the world,” Glenn says. “We were the first to host a strict dress code fetish party in North America. And we’re still the top one in the world, 30 years later.”
For many, Fetish Factory isn’t just nightlife—it’s a lifeline. “I’ve never had such genuinely kind interactions as I do at these parties,” says Skye Drovie,who has been attending to the parties since 2022. “I can finally say I found my people.”
Skye discovered FF through its store, then stepped into the party scene with a full-face goth look and towering boots. “You can go all out and no one bats an eye. It’s the one place I never feel overdressed.”
That sense of freedom resonates across the community. “I’m a true rubberist,” says Madi Delgado, who started going to the parties since 2023 and who now works at the store. “These events gave me the space to embrace my identity—and the confidence to live it, fully.”
Even longtime regulars like Emma Banu, FF’s general manager, find transformation in the details. “Everyone looks like they stepped out of a kinky dream. But what makes it special is the trust. The shared respect. The safety.”
With strict dress codes, hired security, and a zero-tolerance policy for judgment, FF sets the bar high—and keeps it there.
“Don’t be intimidated,” Madi adds. “Stay curious. You might just find your true self under the lights.”
Every May, Fetish Factory transforms Fort Lauderdale into a full-blown fantasy. But this year, the stakes are higher—and the latex is shinier. The 30th anniversary brings five days, eight parties, and a complete hotel takeover at the Sheraton Suites. It’s the largest strict dress code fetish gathering in the U.S., drawing guests from around the globe.
“There’s nothing like it anywhere else,” Glenn says. “We created an immersive world: pool parties, dungeon setups, after-hours hotel ragers. It’s 100% pure fetish, no compromises.”
What began in 2005 as a 10-year celebration evolved into a flagship weeklong experience. This year’s edition promises even more: top DJs, jaw-dropping performances, and a rotating cast of international kinksters.
But beyond the spectacle, the weekend functions as a kind of family reunion. “We get people from all over the world—some who’ve been coming for decades,” says Donna. “It’s our proudest achievement.”
And while Glenn and Donna have since relocated to North Carolina to fulfill another lifelong dream—creating and running an animal sanctuary—they’re slowly handing over the reins. Their sanctuary offers a haven where injured animals can recover, abandoned ones can find family again, and aging animals are given the chance to live out their lives with care and dignity. Meanwhile, the next generation of Fetish Factory’s leadership—Emma at the store, Danny and Val at the events—is already in motion.
“We’re thinking about succession,” Glenn says. “But our mission is the same. This community deserves continuity.”
In a world where self-expression is often filtered, censored, or commodified, Fetish Factory remains gloriously resistant. For 30 years, it’s been a space where identity is art, kink is culture, and dressing up is a revolutionary act. And as it enters its next chapter, one thing is certain: this isn’t just a party. It’s a movement—tight-laced, high-gloss, and still going strong.
SAVE THE DATE
What: Fetish Factory’s 30-Year Anniversary Weekend
When: May 21–25, 2025, Memorial Day Weekend
Where: Sheraton Suites Fort Lauderdale at Cypress Creek. 555 NW 62nd St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. Plus additional nightlife venues across Fort Lauderdale
Tickets: Weekend passes and individual event tickets available here.
*All Images courtesy of Fetish Factory
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