I Got My Grill From Kevin

My first fashion Webisode is here!!!

I have been wanting to create a fashion study/video blog for some time now, 
In this, the premier episode,
I go to Richmond to buy a Grill.
Enjoy.

The Qween herself, Beyonce.

What was the motivation?
In my last weeks working at a San Franciscan Bridal Salon, I considered using my employee discount to purchase a sample sale, couture, wedding gown.
I had my eye on a retro inspired lace trumpet by St. Pucci.
It would be about 800 with my discount and that's pretty phenomenal. 
However, 
I don't have that kinda dough. 
Also I had heard you could get Grills as cheap as 75$ 
So I thought I'd put it to a vote. 
I asked Facebook. 
" Ok guys, this is a pivotal question. Should I buy a wedding gown with my discount or a grill…"

Why Grills?
My friend had a stunning, textured platinum grill he wore out with out us one night, and after seeing his I instantly knew I needed one. And needed to film myself buying it. I would love to have a grill with my Marie Antoinette costume (modern queens such as Beyonce, Rhianna and Miley Cirus have them), and I'd only wear it for special occasions such as weddings, fashion shows and other luxurious events. ​

Where to buy one?
The place he recommended was closed down by the time I got there. On a rainy day in October I took BART to downtown Oakland, umbrella in hand. The building had chains on the door and peering through a gap between open wood, appeared vacated. ​

A large establishment with friendly faces, and parking!

I needed the grill before Halloween, so didn't give up. There were a few places in San Leandro and an overpriced shop near SF's China Town, but we settled on a store in Richmond. My friend Annie had wanted a grill for ages, and agrees to come with me and film the interaction (because how often do two small white women come in seeking grills?).

Kinda gave me orthodonture flash backs.

The Plug, Tattoo and Piercing Inc. was a welcoming place, I saw couches and a pool table as I first walked in. Waiting for my videographer extrordinare, Annie to arrive, I introduced myself and asked if it was alright to film for my blog. The Jewelry Designer, Kevin was down! He didn't want to be interviewed but let us record him in a behind the scene making grills. He gave us a lot of insight to the tooth jewelry industry.
​

His and her grillz.

As a jewelry designer, Kevin had created custom pieces in the past, but never saw a profit as grand as when he switched over to making grills. The demand is quite high right now.
​

Who Buys Grillz?

Say what you will, Miley is a true reflection of current fashion trends.

Mostly 14-18 year olds come in seeking grills, he of course can't sell to anyone too young. There was a customer there who was about 17, and he borrowed money from his mom to acquire his dream grill. It's very popular with young adults in the East Bay.

​Kevin says the oldest customer he's had was in their 80's. They wanted to replace a missing tooth. 


Both men and women buy grills equally and a lot of ladies love the Vampire and Bar style grills. ​

So he made a mold of my 6 bottom teeth and filled the cast with silver. At the plug, Grills go for $25 per tooth for silver and $45 per tooth for gold. When you are wearing them, you can't eat, can't drink anything with sugar and shouldn't drink alcohol. ​

I am obsessed with my grill.
Whenever I wear it, I feel like another person. I'm already pretty confident, but when I wear my grill, and everyone's focus is on my teeth, I feel unbeatable. It's fun to wear something that is attuned and so representative of Bay Area Hip Hop/Hyphy  culture, definitely something so bold and new for me to wear.
​

I recommend more people try them.

​Now Without Further Adieu!

Annmarie Gets a Grill
​by Annie Lawton