AUSTRALIAN FANGSMITHS helping SELF EXPRESSION

by Kaetlyn Chesi

A Balingup couple has been making a name for themselves, giving Australians their own real life vampire fangs.

Jarrad Smith, a former dental technician with over 14 years experience started ‘Fangsmith‘ with his wife Megan Weaver in 2016.

The pair has created custom sets of fangs for clients across Australia, as well as overseas in Hong Kong and America.

The removable fangs are similar to dental crowns, and are uniquely made for each client’s bite alignment, natural tooth colour and personal aesthetic.

“As a creative business, the nature of it is collaboration,” says Weaver.

“It’s definitely a shared process,” adds Smith.

“It’s not something I just make and give to people, it’s something unique we work on together.”

Aside from alternative fashion, the Fangsmiths are advocates for the personal growth that comes with self expression.

“Meeting [clients] and seeing what they were like, and then getting their fangs and putting them in and completely changing… it just means so much to me,” says Smith.

“One of my clients, the fangs for her were actually a sensory thing that she used for calming herself.”

Alandra Cecelia lives in Perth and bought a pair of the fangs. She’s seen changes in her own friendship group and her fiance, as a result of the growing alternative community.

“When you’re around people who are like that, even the ‘normies’ find themselves becoming more adventurous, because they no longer have the worries of being judged.”

“I find [the fangs] are actually a symbol of all the taboo things that people want to do.. It gives them freedom,” says Smith.

It takes about a week to make the fangs. A standard set costs at an average of $160, and the price can increase depending on any special effects looks requested such as alternative metals, extra teeth, or even added jewels.

The Fangsmiths are also looking into making permanent crowns for their customers.

“We are always open to suggestions… I love hearing people’s ideas, and seeing what we can achieve,” says Smith.