About Us
How we started
Scarlet in Chains began back in April 2015.
We are Sophie and Drew we are goth and spicy in multiple ways LGBTQIA+ Drew trans, pan and Sophie intersex, lesbian. We are Scarlet in Chains we create for everyone, as we can create from the ground up no size, body shape or mobility is a limit for us as we will create you something perfect for you either by adapting a design to your needs or create something just for you.
With Roots in the Black Country and proudly using Black Country chain makers (The home of chain making and the incredible history of woman chain makers) see history of Black Country women Chain makers.
Sophie
With her background in silver smithing, graphic design and illustration.
Combined with her being a practicing witch and professional tarot reader she brings a unique skill set to the table. In recent years many who work with similar materials always talk about their work being magical or like armour, if it’s protection and transformation you seek trust the work of a witch.
Like witches who’ve gone before magick can be woven into any craft and Sophie has filled Scarlet in Chains items with magick since day 1. Its true slow fashion and work designed to stay with you through your journey.
Drew
Her background comes largely from several areas of engineering from tool making to electronics.
She has an eclectic experience from Lifeguarding to Lecturing and playing a range of instruments in a few goth and industrial bands over the years so has seen how trends have changed over time.
A lover of goth fashion and mixing it with strength and durability as a big statement against fast fashion.
Our 1st Design
With our passion for goth fashion, we couldn’t find the exact collar we were looking for so with a bit of creativity and engineering knowledge, helped with family who had in the past worked in the Steel industry and a Granddad who used to be a tool maker in the Black Country we came up with our 1st design, our Valkyrie collar.
This design then took us to make anklets and wrist cuffs to match (Also very good for multiple uses as was part of the design 😉)
From an idea to the beginnings of a business.
Friends saw Sophie wearing our design and requests started for us to make similar designs for them too. This was where we realised we had the beginnings of a business so we began experimenting with other ideas and at the day after Drew’s birthday (6th April 2015) we launched Scarlet in Chains.
A passion for High Quality Products and a High Quality Service to match.
We are very much anti fast fashion. When we find something we love, we want it to last for as long as possible and this is the same mentality we keep for all of our designs.
Sophie and Drew both have an eye for design and their life spent immersed in alternative music, fashion and culture and have seen alternative and gothic fashion. Evolved from customising charity shop finds and cutting down band T-shirts to make them tight fit mixed with a few key beautiful items from classic goth brands. The alt brands we grew up with and aspired to own one day like New Rock, Omen, Raven and many more. A lot of those teenage investments still hang in our wardrobes today or have been passed along to the next generation. Thats what we want for Scarlet in Chains and now over 10 years old, we’re on our way to achieving that.
Seeing the rise of fast alternative fashion brands in the late 00’s gave us mixed feelings.
It was great for accessibility especially with sales being regular. Also finally easy everyday wear but around then it had the unintended consequences of ‘goth uniform’ with alternative and goth style loosing some of its unique beauty.
This was a big focus in our work, to offer little customisations and features unique to the wearer to bring everyone’s personality out in their look with the help of accessories . As they are re usable and can be worn lots of ways for different looks from one item.
We want people to have that unique to them item even if it’s not a custom design but a little personal addition like a Crystal or charm.
That goes onto become a key piece of their everyday outfit, the that’s just them piece.
Made to last a lifetime
Another recurring theme that we noticed back when we began that is all the more prevalent now was short life expectancy or throw away nature of so many product that modern companies pursue with the emphasis of cheap and replaceable. We didn’t want that for our work as we are of the belief alternative fashion should represent the anti fast moving culture of normal fashion
Before we began making our designs, we spent a lot of time researching, ensuring that the materials we use would last for years and years to come. Strong, durable and safe. Something that’s beautiful but still practical.
The perfect grade of Stainless Steel.
Through our research and experimentation to find the perfect material to work with, we finally settled on 304 Grade Stainless Steel for a few reasons including its high strength, hypoallergenic nature, according to the World Health Organisation (This is the reason it is also used in both the Food and Pharmaceutical industries) ease.
This also makes it an incredible comfort fidget for our fellow spicy brains as its durable. If you’re comforted by weight or fidget objects message us and we can recommend designs us and our customers have found to be a satisfying fidget.
304 is also easy to clean soap and water does the job liquid hand soap is highly recommended as its gentle to skin and gets in between the chain links easily.
304 does not dull rust or leave stains on skin so is safe to wear 24/7 for swimming, working out and it’s completely latex safe.