| Drac-in-a-Box: | | British designers leave a sensual bite mark on the fashion world | | by Sandee Rager | | MarsDust Fashionista | | |  | Sensual lines, the lush and rich fabric of life, suave designs, style of long ago, and fire-breathing partners. This combination is a wicked brew of the design team known as Drac-in-a-box from Bristol, England. Dorian Grey and Carmilla Voiez are the creators in the drivers' seat. Drac-in-a-box shimmered into existence in 1999. But, not before the two of them made a lifetime commitment. They met in the Tokyo Fire Breathing Circus where they were both traveling acrobats. Since neither of them could breathe fire because of excessive drinking, they hit it off right away. A meeting of the minds is how the line of clothing took off. Gothic was pretty much first choice and the only way to go. | | "I have always loved the sensual lines of gothic clothing," Voiez said." I have been studying design whilst setting up the business so the two grew hand in hand. Both being long standing members of the gothic community, we started by selling traditional gothic wear and have expanded to cyber and industrial clothing." This came from the basics of finance: the clothes they have wanted to buy in the past online were unaffordable for them. Part of the passion that sits in the drivers' seat is that they wanted to be able to supply and offer the basic requirements for an alternative wardrobe at a reasonable price. After deciding on a style and a direction to drive toward, a name was next. | 
| | | | "I wanted a gothy/vampish name which was tounge-in-cheek," Voiez said. "It kinda popped into my head. I suggested it and we both said yes." Both designers take much of their influences come from Medieval and Victorian fashion. Their designs are very much a reflection of who they are: they only design clothing they would wear themselves. Being partners in life and business works very well for them. "We share the same brain most of the time," Voiez said. "Dorain is my sun and my moon." "Mary Poppins (she'll understand)," Grey commented about Voiez. | 
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| Drac-in-a-box is a full-time commitment, love and lifestyle. They devote 24 hours a day to it. Before life took this route, Voiez spent a lot of time in retail. "I sold my soul," Grey said. "But, had to give a refund later." One of the best extras to them is personally interacting with the customer. They've built strong relations and a good repoir with them. They work to keep that and have built many friendships along they way. They do take suggestions from customers from time to time that sometime inspire the team and get taken on board. Support surrounds Drac-in-a-box. The customers support them; they support each other and others as well. | | "Bands, models, artists, photographers," Voiez said. "Our links and talent web pages are a testament to this." Their fashion has a wide range that caters to many: female and male adults, children, jewelry, jewelry boxes, hats, and footwear. Based in the United Kingdom, the also ship worldwide. The future for them is exciting. "We have many plans for the future and are regularly updating our site," Voiez said. "We haven't had time to organize a fashion show. Maybe next year." | 
| | For Drac-in-a-Boxs' Online catalog, go to: http://www.dracinabox.com/ | | | 
| Sandee Rager lifts serious iron three times a week and can probably kick your ass if she weren't so gosh darn nice. She's only writing for us on the off chance we'll get her an interview with Henry Rollins - so she can get weight training tips from him. If you wanna write her (especially if you're Henry Rollins), just send an e-mail to the address below: rager@marsdust.20m.com | |
