About Mistress Diana aka “Momma Rose”
Co-Owner of The House of Graves Leather Family
Owner/sole proprietor, product design & construction and organizer of House of Graves Shop
As a military dependent, my Father was out to sea three months at a time. My Mom used to create ‘special first night home’ outfits to welcome Dad home. Some of these outfits were clear vinyl teddies, candy bikini and other imaginative designs. This was back in the 1960’s and I was only four when I was introduced to ‘kink’. I was helping Mom by putting heart stickers on the clear vinyl teddy. Mom was great at creating new and different things to surprise Dad. I enjoyed the creativity and helped wherever I could.
Fast forward to High School. I was in Drama and Chorus and had friends from all walks of life. This is where I met my first gay and bi-sexual friends. Working in the theatre, I was introduced to a lot of people in ‘alternative’ lifestyles. I accepted it as part of life and never thought anything negative about it.
Another jump forward (a long jump) – Now 40 and surfing the web, I happened on a chatroom where I met Master Vic Graves. As we got to know each other, he introduced me to a lot of new and exciting things. The biggest thing he introduced me to was BDSM. He surprised me by explaining the lifestyle and I discovered that I had been in it since I was four! It was a discovery that lead me in a new direction. The following year, 2005, the House of Graves was re-opened.
Being a newbie in the lifestyle, and Vic having been out of it for many years, we had no equipment to work with. Having a fixed, limited income, we had no extra money for expensive leather floggers and gear. Next best thing – make it ourselves. This started the work with paracord, plastic, rubber bands and other materials. When we were out at events, our equipment was getting a lot of attention and everyone wanted us to make them one. Our designs and flogger types came out of necessity. Our hobby was growing.
Now at 58 years old, I decided it was time to try my hand at my own business. In 2022, I applied and got approval for business licenses in Hampton, Virginia and Norfolk, Virginia. As of October 1, 2022, we are live online and soon to be live in-person locally.
My dreams of having my own shop are blooming.
Come and smell the flowers in our wonderful shop.
About Master Vic “Papa Vic” Graves
Co-Owner and Patriarch of The House of Graves Leather Family
Volunteer helping with product design and construction, setup and tear down at in-person events, and security of House of Graves Shop.
Master Vic began his life in the Leather Lifestyle at the age of 16 in January of 1989. He spent the first two years of his new kink life as a non-sexual (due to his age) slave under a much older Mistress, who was the Head of the Leather Family at the time. After this he earned the title of Master within his Leather Family. Three years later, due to his Mistress’ illness, he was chosen to be the new Head of the Family. Five years later, due to an incident (short version: There was an abusive guy in the family and Vic called the Police on him. He was arrested and later convicted of domestic violence. Many family members were upset fearing he could “out” them all to the Police and left the Family, etc.) Vic closed the doors of the House in 1999. His Mistress said he’d be back, but he didn’t believe Her at the time.
Flash forward 17 years: Vic returns to the lifestyle in 2016 with his partner Mistress Diana. Being in a less than ideal situation financially, they could not afford many implements of high quality. So, a year later they began making implements out of Paracord, Plastic, and Rubber. After showing off their creations to friends in the community, they were asked if they could make some for others, and a small inexpensive hobby began. Six years later, they were still making implements for the greater community and a business was born. In 2021 The House of Graves Leather Family claimed the bar 37th & Zen in Norfolk, VA as their home bar and got their “Bar Flag” hung up permanently in the bar. In September of 2022 Mistress Diana got a Business License in Hampton, VA for Online-Retail work, and one in Norfolk, VA to sell in-person at the bar. The Official Business began on October 1st, 2022.
