I had the chance to talk with Rackk and Ruin designer, Molly Conant, about her eclectic and non-conventional materials used in her line. From bullets to keys and vintage knives to human hair (yes, human), Conant’s style is definitely unique. Though the materials may sound “different,” Conant has the talent and the eye for making beautiful pieces out of something not normally seen as so.
Her necklaces, bracelets and earrings are pretty much all made from some vintage or previously used material. One of my favorites is a necklace made with a vintage mini lipstick tube and replaced the lipstick with a piece of amethyst. Gorgeous! Her creations are one-of-a-kind, so if you find something you like (which shouldn’t be hard), snatch it up before someone else does!
On Sunday, Dec. 20, StyleHop and Rackk and Ruin are teaming up for a ONE-DAY giveaway of one of Molly’s unique necklaces! For more details, click here, but HURRY because this contest is for ONE DAY only!
How did you end up designing your own fashion line?
I started making jewelry last winter to give as Christmas gifts to friends and family. . . I wore some of the pieces I had made and a lot of the girls I work with wanted one! Once I realized how much I loved making jewelry I decided to start selling through Etsy.com (which has been such a fantastic experience so far). I started my blog, Rackkandruin.blogspot.com, around the same time with the thinking that if I could gain a substantial readership (especially readers with my same aesthetic) it might draw traffic to my Etsy site.
Have you always been influenced by fashion?
Fashion and style has always been a big part of my life. I grew up in a very creative family and was always supported in all my artistic endeavors (my mom is an art teacher). I bought a subscription to W Magazine when I was 13 and never looked back at Seventeen Magazine again! I was totally hooked on playing dress up, and changing your appearance. My family was always big into yard sales, thrift stores, and flea markets. My mom swears I didn’t know you could buy something new until I was in middle school – and even then, I didn’t necessarily want to.
I’ve always gotten such a rush thrifting and it’s the same way with my jewelry line. I love taking something old and re-creating it completely. It’s so much fun to create one-of-a-kind pieces that no one else will be wearing.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Inspiration for my jewelry comes from all over: Medieval knight’s armor, Native American dress and jewelry, the costumes in Mad Max, Memento Mori, Nancy from ‘The Craft’, Streetstyle, and other designers who I look up to. I get a lot of my inspiration from just rummaging around an old antique store!
Do you have a favorite piece that you have created?
I think my favorite piece that i’ve made was my starling wing brooch. Now some lucky girl in New Hampshire is wearing it.
Who is your favorite designer?
Some of my favorite designers are Ann Demeulemeester, Rick Owens, Haider Ackermann, Tom Binns, Gareth Pugh, and Derrick R. Cruz (of Black Sheep & Prodigal Sons).
What is your favorite fashion movie?
Style/wardrobe wise, my favorite movies are usually the post apocalyptic/distopian ones (although i’m usually drawn to this type of movie anyway): Mad Max, Resident Evil and Doomsday (both horrid movies but the costumes are killer) Tank Girl.
Remember to enter on Sunday, Dec. 20 to win a one-of-a-kind Rackk and Ruin Necklace!!
