Movers & Shakers > Interview With Rachel Kraze

Interview With Rachel Kraze

Our new craze, Rachel Kraze

by Cary

What art first captured your interest?

Animated television shows first captured my interest into drawing and imitating what I saw.

How did that interest develop into your current art work?

When I was about 7 years old, during Christmas time, I saw a clip of a claymation show of Rudolph killing Santa with a machete. I believe that particular moment made an impression in my mind to be drawn towards violence and obscenity, which would be expressed through many of my art pieces.

Do you have any formal arts training?

I pretty much taught myself how to draw. I just had a knack for it. I started college as a studio arts major so that helped me develop my skills a bit, but got boring as I felt that I already knew a lot of what I was being taught in school, so I decided to change my major to fashion. Painting, however, I was never really taught the proper dos and don'ts but it's something I like to experiment with.

I'm fascinated by the process that someone can see a flat sheet of material and somehow know how to turn it into clothing. Can you explain how that works?

It’s almost as simple as cutting out shapes and sewing them together. You have to know how to make the correct measurements, how to use a sewing machine, and know the details of the materials you’ll be working with. I’m currently a fashion merchandising major, but once I transfer to another school I’ll be studying design where I will learn the skills and how to use the proper technology to create well-constructed pieces.

What has been your favorite creation?

When I was 17, I handmade a shoulder bag. I used it for a while until it broke while I was in the middle of a rowdy crowd at an MSI show. I still have it, but I never fixed it. But I still think my idea for it was neat and when I start studying design, I want to create a line of shoulder bags (that won’t break easily in a crowd).

How did you get started gogo dancing?

I gained the confidence to dance on a stage once a friend of mine dragged me onto one at a club one night. I’ve had a lifetime of experience performing in front of a lot of people, but at the time never for anything freestyle. My dancing got better and eventually I was asked to dance at a party in NYC and since then I’ve danced at and for many club and rave events.

What are your favorite types of outfits to dance in?

The one thing that I usually wear when dancing is my over-the-knee furry leg warmers. People say that furry leg warmers are “out”, but I don’t usually feel comfortable dancing without them. I don’t know why! Other than that I wear anything; mini skirts, pants, t-shirts.. whatever makes a sexy (but not slutty) outfit.

What are your least favorites?

Lingerie. Granted I have danced in lingerie in the past, but my taste for certain attire has changed rapidly within the past couple years. Not only do I now find lingerie quite boring, I also don’t feel that lingerie (by itself) is acceptable as dancing attire. But that's just me.

What kind of music do you like?

Mostly the various genres of Rock and Metal but I also love DNB, Dubstep, Industrial, EBM, Hip Hop, Rap.... pretty much anything I can either headbang or dance to... or both!