CRYPTIC CLOSET: Proving Horror Fandom Needn’t Be So Serious
I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes I can be a bit overzealous about my fandom when it comes to horror and genre films in general. There are literally whole rooms of my house dedicated to horror memorabilia. While normal people can get into strong debates over politics and religion, I’ll be over here yelling about how HEREDITARY (2018) and GHOULIES (1985) exist in the same universe, or that A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (2010) is literally the worst movie ever made.
Similarly, I feel as though a lot of other film fans have lost their sense of humor over the years. Online debates over what is horror and what isn’t horror have gotten out of hand. Friendships have ended over this pettiness, and that’s just sad. I get it, we’re all into the same weird messed up stuff, and we’re also all really passionate about it, but this stuff is just for fun.
This mentality is reflected in the merch we buy. So many companies present a literal and singular view of movie merch that they put out. Hats off to them, brands that do this do it well. I’d like to point out that this is not a problem. I mean at least ninety percent of the gear I purchase, is of this ilk.
Tides are turning though. Proof of this is the current wave of parody/mash-up merch being put out by independent companies. Leading the pack is top-notch party monsters CRYPTIC CLOSET.
The first time I remember seeing Cryptic Closet was vending at a film festival in Chicago. At that time, their main focus was a true crime aesthetic. The next time I saw them, they went completely in the opposite direction. Completely silly, completely fun…I love it. Since then they’ve made their impression felt not only in their wacky sense of fashion but also in the worlds of music, pro-wrestling, and comic books with collaborations with Riot Fest, Danhausen, and Horror Hound magazine.
On June 10th, Cryptic Closet took their message of keeping horror fun to whole new level by opening their own brick-and-mortar store called HORROR HOUSE, where genre film fans can buy merch from their favorite convention vendors all year round and in person. I was impressed by the deep sense of community found at Horror House.
I was very fortunate to be able to sit down with Cryptic Closet/Horror House co-owner Vinny Malave and discuss all thing Cryptic Closet.
Neon Splatter: Could you give me a brief history of you and Cryptic Closet?
Vinny Malave: We started the Cryptic Closet back in March of 2016. I had just started working at Pro Wrestling Tees and started flirting around with the idea of starting a new clothing brand. We wanted to mix our love of horror with my horrible love for dad jokes and puns. We knew it would set us apart from most straight forward horror brands. After 6+ years we decided to take things in a new direction and follow this bigger vision which is now “The Horror House” shop.
Neon Splatter: Could you give me a brief history of you and Cryptic Closet?
Vinny Malave: We started the Cryptic Closet back in March of 2016. I had just started working at Pro Wrestling Tees and started flirting around with the idea of starting a new clothing brand. We wanted to mix our love of horror with my horrible love for dad jokes and puns. We knew it would set us apart from most straight forward horror brands. After over six years we decided to take things in a new direction and follow this bigger vision which is now “The Horror House” shop.
NS: What made you want to start your own clothing line?
VM: I LOVE shirts and graphic tees. Absolutely love them and can’t stop buying them. That being said, when I got the job at Pro Wrestling Tees/One Hour Tees it gave me full creative freedom to both design and print my own tees. That instantly sparked the idea to come out with a unique and fun brand catered to horror fans.
NS: One of the first pieces I remember seeing from you was true crime-inspired. How did you go from that to the more fun mash up driven designs?
VM: When the Cryptic Closet officially became a thing, it was just Moses and I doing it all. We knew the direction we wanted to go and knew that we wanted to be a part of 2016’s Flashback Weekend. At first, we were unsure as to whether or not the funny stuff would sell as well so I made a couple horror and crime related tees as a way of broadening our reach to horror fans.
NS: One of the funnest pieces you've come up with is your Fanny DeVito fanny pack. How did you come up with something that silly? And how high were you when you decided to make it a reality?
VM: It was actually reverse, I was stoned shitless when I came up with the idea. Every time I would bring it up to a friend they would instantly tell me to do it. So I decided to (soberly) find a place to help me bring this weird and crazy vision to life. It’s been the biggest and best selling item of ours, by far.
NS: I was fortunate enough to attend the grand opening of your horror themed store in Chicago Horror House. What was the inspiration behind that? And how did it feel that day making your dream a reality?
VM: The idea came a few years ago when we put together a pop up that was focused more on vendors than celebrities. We had 1 great guest and focused the rest on all the artists and brands that we hand picked for this event. The vision was to eventually open a shop and carry most of these brands/artists as a way to help expose them and ourselves to a new crowd. The fact that it actually happened and we’re now officially opened still leaves me slightly mind-blown. It’s truly a dream come true. For years, I would say that Chicago needed a horror shop and that we would LOVE to be the ones to do it. I guess it’s safe to say, we manifested it.
NS: You've started your own clothing line, opened your own horror store…what's next?
VM: We’re going to focus on making the shop as successful as possible while also trying to run unique and fun events. Maybe down the road we’ll try doing our own pop up but make it bigger. Perhaps a second location? We’re already setting our next goals to accomplish and knock out.
Huge thank you to Vinny Malave for sitting down with us at Neon Splatter and discussing all things Cryptic Closet, Horror House, and the importance of not taking your fandom too seriously.
If you are a fan of dad jokes, puns, and horror, then do yourself a favor and check out Cryptic Closet. Also, if you are in or around the Chicago area, check out their store Horror House. Believe me, you’ll be glad you did! You can find Cryptic Closet on all major social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Hell, do yourself one better and go straight to their website and take a gander at the absurd treasure trove that is Cryptic Closet.
Tell ‘em Neon Splatter sent ya, and, as always, remember to BUY OR DIE!
