fashion// toxic vision
Toxic Vision
by Courtney Kittner
At the age of 13, I would eat, sleep and breathe (the band) Poison; I was so sure that I was going to marry bassist, Bobby Dall. I was also the “sore thumb” at my Catholic high school, lugging around stacks of Metal Edge, RIP, and Circus magazines to pass time in class. Weekends were spent at the Whiskey, the Roxy, and at concerts waiting around to meet bands like Faster Pussycat, L.A. Guns and Skid Row. I was a total glam rock girl, from my fishnet bodysuits down to my over-the-knee leather boots. I spent all of my lunch money on Betsy Johnson dresses, London Underground shoes, and red lipstick. As time moved on and I got older, I never thought I’d see the second round of metal bands. Tight leather pants, teased out hair and ‘guyliner’ - I was so wrong!
One day, as I perused through clothing designers on one of my favorite websites (etsy.com), I came across Toxic Vision. I could not believe what I saw! Designer, Sharon Toxic, is this hot girl that encompasses the early glam style of Motley Crue, the gritty hard edge of Motorhead, but with a strong femininity to her. When you lay your eyes on her designs, there is no mistaking her influences. Leather and lace of the early 90’s glam scene, chains and rugged denim reflect late 80’s heavy metal, and the suede and fur bring back 70’s classic rock. Blend it all together and that’s Toxic Vision. So after all of the flashbacks, I knew I had to get this girl’s story.
Sharon Toxic (born Sharon Ehman) resides in her home town of Toronto, Canada. With an instinctive passion for fashion and the desire to have her own business, Sharon began Toxic Vision at home. Like most young designers, she was geared toward creating clothing that she liked and couldn’t find in stores. At the age of 17, and with the encouragement and support of her mother, she quit her job and began designing full time. Without any formal training, she was devoted to teaching herself new techniques regularly. All of Toxic Vision’s one of a kind designs are made by Sharon. The most amazing aspect of her design process is that she doesn’t cut from any patterns! Everything began with trial and error and determination to get it right. She is definitely getting it right!
Sharon says that she isn’t influenced by any particular designer or style; her inspirations come from her love of heavy metal music and ‘fantasy worlds’. When you look at her brightly colored and patterned designs, accessorized by spikes and studs of all sizes, it’s recognizable. Although her leather pants and jackets can be androgynous, her racy halter tops and sexy band t-shirt body suits are girly without any doubt.
Sharon frequents ten different fabric shops on Queen Street, in downtown Toronto, where she picks up all of the wonderful fabrics and textiles she uses. She also does all the screen printed designs you’ll find on everything from leather pants to panties and t-shirts. This is one talented gal!
Although Sharon’s designs can be seen in fashion magazines and on familiar faces like Kat Von D and in the world of rock, Toxic Vision is still only a one woman business, and with that comes limitations. Sharon releases a few new designs weekly on Etsy, but when they are sold and gone, they are gone. Sharon’s designs run in sizes extra small to (some) medium. Unfortunately she does not take custom orders, but with the buzz around this girl, I’m sure this will all change very soon! She also works on an accessory line (also via Etsy), called Like A Fox, where you can find great handbags, gloves and wrist cuffs, to name just a few.
Building her clientele, Sharon has expanded to doing yearly fashion shows in New York City and Los Angeles. Each show is fueled with rock music, gorgeous girls and clothing that will leave you wanting every piece. Sharon just put on her second fashion show at N.A.M.M., with Dean Guitars and Coffin Case in January. I haven’t been to a Toxic Vision show yet, but based on all of the photos and video I’ve seen, they are exciting! I hope to get a front row invitation the next time she is in L.A. (hint).
What is in the future for Sharon? More fashion, a boutique line, custom stage wear for rockers like Alice Cooper and Ronnie Dio? I think it’s all in the cards!
www.toxicvision.com
