Exploring the World of Heavy Red Clothing

Gothic Clothing has seen the beginning of a dilution into mainstream fashion over the past few years, with gothic inspired fashions paraded down the catwalks, and packed into high street stores. It's the sad fate of many rebellions and niche sub-cultures: it seeps into the mainstream, it becomes the norm, and then suddenly it's just something a bit weird that your parents used to do. And so for those goths who are looking for something a little bit unusual, a little bit more daring, they are having to look harder and harder to find it.

Heavy Red is a clothing line which is breaking out from the mainstream and daring to do something a little more unexpected. During it's years of trading, Heavy Red has become know for it's world famous corsetry and its unique and innovative Gothic inspired clothing.

EGL Magazine managed to tie down Tyler Ondine Whitman, designer at Heavy Red to find out a little bit more.

"I love to combine different textile textures, mixing twills with satins, cottons with tapestries, I also love to combine patterns, stripes with florals. I love to create a unique ensemble that reflects the complicated, intrinsically romantic personality of the wearer."

And looking through the collection at Heavy Red; it's clear to see this complexity of character mirrored in the intricate layers of pleats, ribbons and tattered hems of the clothing. And there is a strong romantic theme running through, with roses and layers of petticoats, Victorian inspired gowns and Lolita-esque ensembles.

The Heavy Red designs are "inspired by tall tales of wicked adventures, such as Alice in Wonderland, dolls that come to life when no one is looking, Victorian macabre, naughty twins, sinister sirens and notorious glamour."

But probably more than anything else, Heavy Red is known for its outstanding corsetry.

"Corsets of rich brocades and lace for serendipitous rendezvous with fated lovers."

If you're looking for a high quality, unique and eye-catching corset, then you can't go far wrong with Heavy Red. Their corsets and waist cinchers are made from originally designed fabric that is milled exclusively for them and constructed with the highest grade European magnetic steel boning. This gives their corsets a perfect durable binding fit, that will reduce your waist size 2 - 5 inches.

"Heavy Red corsets are beautiful iconic pieces of fashion history, which can create a bold, edgy look with a sinister twist, or can be layered into an outfit to give the perception of class distinction, Victorian pomp and circumstance, Lolita doll-like innocence. Only your imagination can limit the possibilities."

And, as for style inspirations, the recent migration of Japanese street fashions into Western countries has seen Heavy Red at the forefront of the Eastern fashion revolution; "mixing ground breaking trends from the streets of Japan with the classic styles from the centuries of our elegant ancestors."

While Britain and America have always had an interest in Japan and the East, from the laden cargo sailing ships of the past, to the modern obsession with Hello Kitty and Manga. And now, Japanese street styles such as lolita, fruits, decora and j-rock inspired outfits, have made a big impact in the world of alternative fashion.

But, while the Western World has been looking East, Japan have been looking back, creating these fashions from a mix of historical Western influences and traditional Japanese ones. And this mix of influences gives the more creative dressers amongst us the chance to really do something different.

"The juxtaposition of the old with the modern creates such a surreal romantic timeless statement that consistently floors its audience."

Heavy Red's new Autumn (or Fall) collection is set to "reveal many surprises to awaken the the senses and make your hidden passion come to life." You can check out all their collections at their website: www.heavyred.com

"Heavy Red clothing is dreamt up in the darkest of night,

turned from fantasy to reality during the early hours of dawn. Corsets of black satin and black velvet perfect for the midnight dance."

Keller is EGL Magazine's editor. She has a degree in Writing which includes Journalism, and loves the Heavy Red designs.