By Amelia G
May 5, 2004
When asked about the origins of SubCulture Array, founder Syber Kitty says that she originally intended to sell vintage-inspired fetish suits for women. She thought the price tag would be around $1,200 and worried that the price might put some people off, so she "created SubCulture Array to enable [her] to sell a wide variety of things. That was almost 3 years ago. Now the retail site is a living, breathing entity of it’s own. And [she's] still working on those suits…" Head Designer Requiem*in*Black has been on board for about a year now. In addition to their own original designs, SubCulture Array are stockists for such wardrobe standards as Lip Service, Demonia, and Shrine. There is no particular look which is the SubCulture Array look; variety is the rule here. Really, the origins of SubCulture Array go back more than three years. Requiem*in*Black says, "I went to The Fashion Institute of Design and Marketing in Los Angeles, but both of us have been sewing our own clothes since the mid eighties. I actually learned more sewing skills from [Syber Kitty] than I did at FIDM. She was always into sewing entire outfits, and I was a thrift store reconstruction freak. Both of us grew up poor in Texas, so the only way of obtaining a cool Goth or Punk outfit was to learn how to sew." "I’m an old punk-rocker from the 80’s," Syber Kitty confirms. Syber Kitty's introduction to clothing design was originally from a costumer's perspective. "My real background is in costuming," she says. "I started sewing when I was about 12. Then I got involved with theater in junior high and found it to be the perfect outlet for my love of playing dress-up. I was doing costuming for entire productions by my sophomore year of high school. That’s where I fell in love with period costumes."
This eclectic mix is really what SubCulture Array is all about. Syber Kitty and Requiem*in*Black irreverently mix period, punk, gothic, fetish, and couture to come up with their varied creations. They know that variety is important for individuals too, and they are very experienced at coming up with hot outfits for all, including their impressive roster of BBW clients. Requiem*in*Black says that one of the most fun parts of what they do is getting to put together "wonky" outfits for clubbing.
|
6669 W De Longpre
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 465-5084 phone/fax
www.subculturearray.com
syberkitty@subculturearray.com
requieminblack@subculturearray.com
