Pretties For You by Vikki Sin incorporates a sort of Goth lifestyle with a girly twist. Handcrafted jewelry, hair accessories, dog hair clips and anything you want custom ordered, Vikki Sin designs unique fashion for the girl who desires originality.
WEEKENDER: When did you launch Pretties For You?
SIN: In early 2010, I rediscovered my love of creating. I started with painting, and the hair accessories followed, then this past year I got into making jewelry again, which I used to love to do when I was young. I just had a series of events that caused me to be able to focus on myself and reconnect with all the things I used to be so into. I was listening to Alice Cooper one night when I was making things, so the name Pretties For You came easily, and I decided to make it a business.
WEEKENDER: What made you want to start designing your own accessories?
SIN: I had always wanted to be a fashion designer, but I’m not the greatest with a sewing machine. I started making hair Pretties because I was always wearing ones from Hot Topic and places like that, and I thought I could make way better ones that no one else would have. Individuality is important to me.
WEEKENDER: How do you come up with the designs?
SIN: Most of it just comes to me, or I’ll see things that inspire certain designs. I work in a tattoo shop, so you’ll see a lot of influence from classic tattoo designs. A lot of Pretties are custom made, so my customers give me great ideas. I recently made little top hats for a friend and her daughter for New Year’s and they turned out so well that I want to make a whole line of them.
WEEKENDER: What materials do you use for your pieces?
SIN: I use a lot of different materials. I love to use random objects, like antique skeleton keys from creepy little antique stores or old buttons. But lately I’m really into making my own accoutrements out of polymer clays and resins, which allows me to be as creative as possible.
WEEKENDER: How would you describe your style?
SIN: It’s like rock chic. I’m an old school Goth chick, and I live a very rock ’n’ roll lifestyle, so it’s a mix of the two, really. My pieces can take you from a formal function to a Motley Crue concert. And they often do.
WEEKENDER: What are some of your hottest sellers?
SIN: My hair daisies go over really well, probably because any lady loves a flower. My necklaces are starting to take off, especially the music-themed ones. I had an order from a friend to make a pendant with artwork from The Used and all of a sudden, everyone wanted one.
WEEKENDER: Who is your target audience?
SIN: Most of my customers are females, naturally, and most of them are in their ’20s and ’30s. My youngest customer is my friend’s daughter Morgen, who’s 10, and she adores Pretties. It’s so great that people like what I do and buy my designs and help me promote. I’m really, really thankful for it, and it keeps me going. My customers mean the world to me. I’m a big believer in supporting local arts and businesses. We should all be helping each other.
WEEKENDER: Where can people purchase Pretties For You originals?
SIN: I have an Etsy store (etsy.com/shop/PrettiesForYouShop), and I also sell them at Bettie & Co. (12 E. Sixth St., Wyoming) and Conflict Artistry (502 Main St., Edwardsville). People can like my Facebook page to keep tabs as well, facebook.com/PrettiesForYouAccessories. I’m hoping to expand to boutiques in Philadelphia and New York in the very near future.
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