LMV: When did you open your shop? How did it come about?
We launched our store in Feb. of 2010. It's hard to believe it hasn't even been a year yet since we conceived our moonchild.
The idea for SOTBM came about when we were all on a road trip to this little vintage store in the middle of nowhere on the side of I-35 between Austin and Dallas (near Waco) called the Style Station. We were discussing all sorts of topics about our future and started to talk about opening our own online vintage store (something we had discussed previously). It was on this road trip that we decided to make this dream a reality.
LMV: How did you come up with the name Sisters of the Black Moon?
We are not sisters by blood but definitely sisters in every other sense of the word. Our sisterly support had been the main ingredient to our success thus far.
The name was created during our trip to the Style Station as well. Fleetwood Mac was playing on the ipod and the song Sisters of the Moon came up in discussion. We played around with that as a name for a bit but we were seeking a name that was a little bit more dark and mysterious ... one thing led to another and voila, the name Sisters of the Black Moon was created!
LMV: What is your background in?
Sister Sara Larocca-Ramm - 28, Scorpio My mom says it all started for me when I was two. She apparently dressed me in some blue sweatpants and a purple shirt and I started crying asking her to change my outfit. Since then I have been haunted by the beautiful cuts, textures, and smells of clothing. I believe I was a young teen when vintage clothing first caught my eye and I was hooked. There was this deep desire to seek out something unique and personal. I graduated from college with a history degree but knew I would somehow tie fashion into whatever I did. Over the past few years, I have worked at vintage and retail stores and have participated in and styled amazing creative projects but have never ceased my hunt for those treasures of the past. It was time to share some of those finds with the world. And that leads us to today, where I have embarked on this incredible journey with two enchanting women who inspire me on a daily basis.
Sister Alecia Marcum - 28, Gemini I was born in Norman, Oklahoma where I grew up less aware of the backbone that exists within the fashion world. During adolescence my interest was sparked in vintage clothing but it wasn't until I moved to Austin in 2003 that the spark ignited into a raging inferno. Once ditching my life in the ophthalmology field, I started strong working for Feathers Boutique and later Prototype Vintage Design (two impeccable local vintage stores). This helped to develop my eye for a certain vintage aesthetic. In addition to styling editorials for Prototype Vintage Design, I co-styled Prototype's Fashion Freakout (2008-09) and was head stylist in 2010. Having the opportunity to collaborate with Alexandra Valenti & other local austin photographers on numerous photo shoots has aided in expanding my styling horizons and helped to polish this craft I have grown so passionate for. Furthermore, the launching of our moonchild in February of 2010 has been a roller coaster ride of embellished dreams I never thought would come true. What better way to ride then with your sisters!
Sister Rachel Hunt - 28, Gemini I have been in love with fashion and self expression since I can remember. I went to college and received a degree in textiles. I was an assistant fashion editor for Papercity Magazine right after college. Working for the magazine gave me amazing experience at a rather young age. I loved it, however, the vibe of the magazine just wasn't me. After that I freelanced for a while and dabbled in a few other artistic ventures. However, I would always come back to what I loved, fashion. Many wise people say "live in the present" when it comes to fashion I have always lived in the past. I don't know why I am drawn to the threads of the decades that came before me but I am. It is gratifying because in some sense you are giving the clothing a "rebirth", a second life. Now, here i am today, continually on the hunt for amazing vintage treasures, working with magical women that I love dearly, and I can honestly say my passion is my job and that is a rare and wonderful thing.
LMV: What inspires your fashion sense the most?
There would be no SOTBM if it weren't for the constant inspiration & support between the three of us. We have always been stylistically driven by a wicked mix of rock & roll, victorian, hippie, & recycled fabrics sort of feel which led us to our aesthetic we've branded our store on since day one. Music is another big one. Each of us have musician husbands (Graveyard, The Sword, & The Black Angels) and are continually inspired by each of their unique styles. We are always brainstorming new styling directions and have been lucky enough to have Alexandra Valenti turn our styling visions into a reality. Miss Valenti is also a huge inspiration to us as a whole.
LMV: SOTBM has such a distinct 60s/70s look, how has this developed?
Our hearts have always hung on the hangers of clothes from the 60s and 70s for each of us since we were young. Bell bottoms, fringe, all things velvet, wonderful ethnic pieces, wicked pieces that were created during the Victorian Era, they all make our blood pump in ways nothing else could.
LMV: Where are SOTBM items sold?
Our items are sold through our ebay store which you can find through our website: http://sistersoftheblackmoon.com/. We've also been known to set up shop at music festivals in austin & surrounding areas as well. If you're interested in staying abreast of our festival ventures, be sure to become a fan of SOTBM on facebook where we keep all our fans up to date on all our epic endeavors. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sisters-Of-The-Black-Moon/298574997265?ref=ts
LMV: Any future plans or new ventures for SOTBM?
We have just freshly completed a collaboration with our friends at Heyoka Leather (http://heyokaleather.com/) to bring you a legendary line of leather accessories which should be hitting our store next week. Our new Heyoka/SOTBM line are all one of a kind, hand made, embellished deer & elk skin pieces. We also recently styled & starred in Black Mountain's video Old Fangs for their new album Wilderness Heart & hope to move a bit more in that direction in the future. We have many more tricks up our sleeves but it is still a bit too early to mention them. Stay tuned. Up next, Global Domination.
