Arsenic Fashions is the Salt Lake City based creation of Donna Folland. She originally wanted to name her business Iridescent Veil Designs, but discovered that she needed a shorter and easier name for folks to remember and to spell online.

“I wanted something that would be reminiscent of both Victorian and modern clothing, and that also had a dark, gothic flavor. I picked Arsenic for several reasons: the movie ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ was definitely the main inspiration, and arsenic was a popular poison used in Victorian times by women who wanted to rid themselves of unwanted husbands. It is also a common modern industrial waste byproduct. I think that it fits perfectly with the image I am aiming for in my store, which is an eclectic mix of historical and modern styles and fabrics.” Donna tells us. “I have taken to naming my women’s clothing after poisonous flowers or plants, and the men’s items have most commonly been named after industrial poisons. My corset designs, which are currently being reworked, will be named after chemical poisons.”

Donna was taught to sew by her mother when she was young and also took a sewing class in high school, but what really fired her up for fashion was the SCA. “I have always loved costumes and dressing up extravagantly – going to the meetings and seeing everyone dressed up was an inspiration. I didn’t have the money at the time to buy all the clothing I wanted, so I went out and bought myself a sewing machine and started trying to relearn what I’d been taught, and to teach myself new techniques.” Although her interest in the SCA waned, her passion for sewing only grew and consumed her time.

Her inspiration comes from Colleen Atwood, the woman who designed many of the costumes for Tim Burton’s movies, most notably Sleepy Hollow. “I also adore what she’s done in the new Lemony Snicket movie,” she shares. “I was mesmerized by the movie, Hero, the way that the wind was constantly playing with the clothing of the actors.” Tim Burton, Edward Gorey, Amy Brown, vintage victorian photographs, Interview with a Vampire, books on historical fashion, and people-watching also serve up ideas to her creative spirit. “And the wonderful imaginations of my friends and family. My boyfriend Derek is also very creative and artistic and has designed several items for me.”

Although a legal assistant by day, Donna is spending more and more time sewing than working in the office. “I’m not quite ready to join the ranks of the self-employed yet. [At work] I’ve got my own office so I can listen to whatever music I choose and they let me have my blue hair, piercings, and dress how I want. I’ve got it pretty good here.”

She is part of a very supportive scene; her “competition” are hardly so, in that other local designers are friends and help each other out. That and the internet opened up their customer base, so they don’t feel threatened by each other. “People are very open and accepting, and eager to support local artists and businesses. I owe a lot of my success to the Dark Arts Festival, which is a great organization that supports local and national artists, musicians, designers in a yearly festival held here in Salt Lake City each June. The festival first gave me a chance to showcase my sewing projects in a public forum, and after gaining so much positive feedback from attendees and friends, I gained enough confidence to focus on my sewing more as a serious business venture rather than a hobby.

Locally, Arsenic Fashions is being carried at Obscura Clothing in Sugarhouse, Tease ‘n Keys on the second floor of Cottonwood Mall, and at Accentuate in Salt Lake City.

“Accentuate started carrying my clothing along with their own line from their website once they opened up a retail shop. I’ve helped to advertise some of their new and unique creations on my own website to help them gain more web traffic. Brandy of Nasty Creatures Designs was a godsend for my first year as Fashion Show Chair last year [at Dark Arts], and helped me to get everything organized and off the ground. I couldn’t have done it without her! Beca, one of my best friends, designs leather gear for In Sin Designs and we have worked with each other to share models and photo shoots to promote my clothing and her accessories. There is so much talent here! We really are a tight-knit group, and I'm very thankful to be where I am right now.”

Donna, we wish you all the best. Check out Arsenic Fashions at www.arsenicfashions.com