Lauren Hoodenpyle strikes me as a bit of a modern gypsy. She’s lived back East, down South and all over the country, done all kinds of things and now, via Hollywood, has newly arrived in Tacoma. Hoodenpyle is the creator of If Looks Could Kill, an exciting, in-your-face line of unique rock ’n’ roll accessories.



After attending Los Angeles Film School for Production Design and F/X Make-up Designory, Hoodenpyle started RnR Productions providing F/X makeup for movies. Her inspiration comes partly from horror films. She paints mini-murder. So rogue, so blue zombie pin-up girl gripping a bloody heart painted on your purse.



She scours antique stores and swap meets to find handbags, clutches and wallets made of vinyl, faux and real leather, suede and fur, silk, denim for her canvases. Sometimes even sews them by hand to get an exact shape or style.



“I get a thrill out of taking something old and making it into something someone will love again,” Hoodenpyle explains. 



The If Looks Could Kill line items are all one of a kind, since Lauren paints freehand before lacquer coat finishing.



Future collaboration with another local design outfit, Little Killers, is on the horizon. Coming soon are shoes, belts and skirts (can’t wait for the skirts!).



RnR Productions accessories can be found at Metro on Broadway in Seattle. Save the gas money and check out her sale Saturday, Oct. 13, at Hell’s Kitchen Contact Hoodenpyle at xexene79@aol.com or at www.myspace.com/rnrbanshee if you can’t wait that long.