When it comes to heavy metal fashion, Vagabond Kreations will always have a special place in my heart.
My First Introduction to Vagabond Kreations
I had waited years to see Slayer. Back in 2018 my dreams finally came true when my husband and I got tickets to their final tour. I was so excited and I was determined to have a badass Slayer shirt to wear to the show that no one else would have.
I thought what I was looking for would be simple. The concert was in June so it had to be a tank top since it would be hot. It needed to be fitted so that it would accentuate my curves because tank tops that are long and flowy do no me justice. And finally, it had to say Slayer.
Much to my surprise, these specific things I was looking for all rolled into one were impossible to find. That was until I stumbled across a little Etsy shop called Vagabond Kreations.
I had never really ordered from Etsy before, let alone clothing, and I was really nervous about how it would fit – or if it would even fit at all. After mulling it over for a day or two, I hit the add to cart button and I am so glad that I did. Not only was I ecstatic when it arrived and saw it was exactly what I wanted, but I got a ton of compliments at the show.
This smiling face you see above is the reaction to every item I have received from Vagabond Kreations. Not only have they all been stunning, but they are also so comfortable which I find to be extremely important.
What Does Vagabond Kreations Carry?
All band tops in the shop like you see above are made from official licensed band shirts that have had the backing replaced with spandex. Each piece is also handmade and one of a kind.
Vagabond Kreations doesn’t stop with just unique band tops. You can also find handmade completely original pieces from pants, skirts, dresses, tops, and even shorts.
Vagabond Kreations continues to grow with each and every collection that is released. They just recently launched their own website which is where you can find their latest pieces, and their Etsy shop, which you can find here, will no longer be available once their previous inventory has been cleared, some of which you can find at a discount right now.
I was lucky enough to chat with the very talented Amber of Vagabond Kreations about her shop.
Interview with the Owner
How long have you been in business?
VK: I officially started creating and selling clothes in 2017. It started off with modified band shirts on etsy and grew into original design pieces on www.vagabondkreations.com
How did you learn to create and design your own clothes?
VK: I’ve been sewing since I was a pre-teen, adding patches to jackets and cutting up shirts to make them more fitted (and cool of course!), but I am completely self-taught. I can confidently say it was a learning process of trial and error.
What made you decide to start VK?
VK: I’ve always altered band shirts I wear and friends were telling me they’d love to buy similar tops. I kept putting it off because I wasn’t sure if people outside of my circle of friends would be interested. I can’t tell you exactly what prompted me to finally setup shop but the timing just felt right.
What’s your process like when you are selecting materials and creating new pieces for future collections?
VK: One thing that is always the starting off point is getting quality spandex materials from my trusted suppliers. I like customers to feel confident, badass, & comfortable and stretchy materials allows me to translate that into my work. I get prints that I personally like and let the fabrics “speak to me” in a sense. I’ll sometimes write down a list of ideas or occasionally sketch out designs but don’t have one process I exclusively use. I’ll also at times work specifically within a theme, for example, the upcoming June release will be all snake print.
It seems like you’ve been releasing one collection a month. Do you anticipate that staying the same, at least over the coming months?
VK: In the past I’ve released more frequent smaller batches but I feel it’s more efficient for me to release one large collection per month. These collections consist of 25 pieces and since I create everything myself then shoot it all, it makes sense for me to focus heavily on each aspect before moving onto the next.
Who are some of your biggest style influences?
VK: I am heavily influenced by 80’s metal, both the music and the fashion worn by the bands & concert-goers of the time. Many pieces are heavily inspired by stage wear of Doro, Lita Ford, Rob Halford, Black Sabbath and Motley Crue. But one thing that is a constant influence is the attitude and to me no one personified it better than Lemmy, Wendy O Williams, and Poison Ivy of The Cramps.
Where To Find Vagabond Kreations
You can find Vagabond Kreations inventory here on the shop’s website. Also, make sure you stay up to date on future releases by giving VK a follow on Instagram.
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