I'm back, bitches!

So... I've been going whirlwind crazy since my last post here (which feels like an eternity ago). I have a job now and I'm moving this weekend. That being said, I'm super excited about being able to set up my work room in the second bedroom at our new place. I've been doing a ton of sketches for stuff I want to make... plus I've pretty much been told that as far as my massive dragon horde of fabric goes I must "use it or lose it."

Because I was poor for so fucking long, I haven't been buying albums or really listening to music (that whole depressed thing). NOW I've been listening to TONS of death & black metal and have become super inspired. I'm going to throw some pictures in here to give you an idea about my thought process and a playlist at the end to get you into my groove. For starters, all the stuff is going to be a one-off. Then, I'll grade the patterns if and when someone else wants to buy something. This will mean a longer lead time when you buy, but will also mean I can pump out more quantity for you all to look at... which has been the main problem in the past. I'll probably be selling on Etsy (a site I'm learning to use) and also advertising the styles on MySpace.


Lately I've been really drawn to the rough and powerful female archetype. The take no shit, couldn't give a fuck attitude and image of people like Angela Gossow, Jillian Michaels, and Josh and I's roommate, Alex. It isn't really their look, but their "walk against the wind with your shoulders back and head high" attitude and self confidence that's inspiring me. I think everyone can use a bit more of that in their lives. Going with the usual feel of my casual collections this one is easy to wear with surprising details... but I'm withholding the sketches just to get you excited (but think stuff like the example to the right).

I'm chomping at the bit to get fist deep in some fabric and thread. I feel like all the creativity that was abounding when I was in college is all coming pouring back into me now that my mood is lifted. Perhaps you'll even see actual updates here again once I'm settled into the new place. So. Fucking. Excited.

P.S. Yes, I still plan to do the line of customizables. They're going to be called D.I.Y.F.S. (Do it your-fucking-self). The first few styles are going to be gauze and will be out before the collection I just designed. Then more styles will come out, probably in poplin, tweed, or denim to go with what I'm working on now.

Corset Project

Due to the fact that I do not have a lot of space to work... yet... I've decided to put off my lofty reaching projects like the Lovecraft and steampunk costumes until I have proper draping and drafting space to make them fantastic.

Instead I've decided to work on a corset for myself. I'm very short in almost every dimension. So, since no patterned corset fits me right, I'm going to make myself a kickass custom from the left over corset material I have. It'll be that awesome neovictorian look so that I can wear it on wilder days at work if I want. But, I'm going to keep the palette pretty pale. If you take a look at Victorian crazy quilting, stuff by Bonzie, and stuff like is pictured to the left, you'll get an idea of what I mean. Lots of surface embellishment, hand dying, painting, studs, patches, beading, all of it!

I'm basically taking all the skills I picked up doing the Tomb costume and the stuff I've learned during my research since school to pull together something cool enough for an Emilie Autumn concert but also for tea parties... and be worn with this purse... which I might have to make a copy of... because it is Alexander McQueen.

So it should turn out to be pretty awesome. As I find stuff to become a part of it, I'll update with pictures and such. First step will be to sew up the base in coutil and then dying. This time I'm going to for a french grey color so I'm thinking about using thinned out india ink to dye it... testing for colors soon to come...

Photo Shoot Preview

The costume has finally been given the attention it deserves thanks to two wonderful people. Asia S. and Michael Park. The set is currently being made badass, but I do have a preview picture that I will post for viewing pleasure.


Oh yeah... how badass are they looking? For those that don't remember, the dress is based on "The Tomb" by H. P. Lovecraft. This is supposed to be the hostess who's home was burnt down with party-goers trapped inside. The main character of the story has a sort of past-memory-flashback about the happenings at the ruins of the home. I was filled with this image of a ghost in a dirty, decaying dress crawling out of the ruins of the house, and the dress was born.

Updates

Can you believe I'm still alive? Not me. Things have been ridiculous for the past 8 months. First, there was going to be a job, then a freeze, now the freeze is off but no entry level jobs are open. In the mean time, I've applied everywhere and all I have is a (barely) part-time job that is 40 minutes away. That means, I STILL am not making enough money to move, which means all my sewing stuff is STILL packed away. GRAHGH!

Despite these horrific, world destroying melt downs, I've been able to do a couple of highly awesome shit for my business. First off, I sold my very first piece to someone who doesn't know me! (Friends have gotten stuff from me since high school.) I sold a So Fatigued: Angled Hem Dress to a model, so hopefully I'll eventually get to see some awesome pictures of it.

I've got a freelance job in the works that is big money (at least for me) and would mean I can get a new serger. This makes me feel super happy. Hopefully he either accepts my bid or haggles with me some. It's a pretty cool project where I have full creative control. Maybe I can even use the items for pictures before I send them off to him.

For anyone looking for new-new-news, the next two things I'll be working on are "D.I.Y.F.S." skirts in black gauze (to be explained later) and a new H. P. Lovecraft costume based on my female interpretation of the living dead character in "The Hound." I was also just contacted about a cosplay costume, exciting!

Unfortunately, due to the completely packed away studio I haven't even had the gumption to design a new collection. I have some ideas and was going to pattern some western inspired pieces, but I feel like the looks are already available in a more mainstream version at stores right now and don't know if I want to pursue it. If I have a photographer or model that wants to do a western shoot with gothic tones, I might make up a few pieces and then sell them. I'm really sad I didn't get to do anything with my cool ideas. (I might post sketches... who knows.)

I also have an idea I'm tossing around in the noggin' about a steampunk costume. I really like the look of steampunk stuff and was thrilled about a year ago to find out that a subculture exists that loves all these crazy things I've liked since childhood. So, I'm working on research for that dress now. I have a really original idea (at least, I haven't seen it yet) that I want to incorporate. Problem is I'm going to want to keep the dress... and I need to be selling things. So, if a model would like to buy the dress to own before I make it that will force me to give it up. (Hint, hint)

Makeup Wants

Alright, so I recently started working at JCPenney again until I hear from Chico's (hopefully this month). Recently, JCPenney teamed up with Sephora to reintroduce cosmetics to their stores. It works like this: inside of newer JCPenney stores there are now Sephora shops that offer a selection of Sephora products by their popular, though not "mainstream" lines (i.e. not Clinique).

Urban Decay: This also coincided with Urban Decay re-introducing one of their best products that they ever discontinued: cream shadow. Now, below you will see me dissing the cream shadow pallete that I bought. The new cream shadows are offered in tubes only and I'm betting that they reformulated them to not dry into rock hard cakes. We'll be getting it a JCP (where I can get a discount on it) so expect me to be trying the black immediately. I'll probably get the mushroom color as well just so I can do really lazy "standard" makeup when I need to.



Also Urban Decay has been putting out some other cool stuff (for those of you who haven't been keeping up); look.

So, in order we have the Sephora-exclusive Sin version of the primer potion that has a champagne hue to it... pretty rad. Next, Urban Decay has some great liquid eyeliner colors out. I haven't used any of them yet, but I really like the yellow-green (Acid Rain) color. Also, Urban Decay has finally brought back their lip colors... they even have my old favorite, Gash. Lastly, I'd really like to try their new pigments. Click on any of the pictures to go to the Urban Decay page they're on.

Lime Crime Makeup: So, ok, I read like two other blogs, cause I just don't have time to keep up with other people's opinons. But, Doe Deer has a great one about style and makeup and she also makes makeup. I really want to give it a try because it looks amazing and I've heard good things about it. Check out all her stuff at the link and here's a sneak peek:



Makeup Forever: Ever since I saw this used in a tutorial online and then in person by a makeup artist in St. Pete, I've really wanted to get some of this. It is crazy pigmented and super high quality.

Laura Geller: This lady has some great baked shadows. I tried one out of a tester at Sephora once and have wanted to buy them ever since.

Shoes

This all started when I found the need to have a new pair of black pump-style shoes to wear down to Fort Myers for my interview. I realized I had nothing that was professional and black and not a boot. The first place I found hope was at a shoe shop we stopped at to find my boyfriend a new pair of boots. They had this really cute pair by BCBG Girl and they even were made in a 5 1/2; I was pretty excited... until I tried them on. Due to the nature of the shoe industry flattering people by marking their shoes a lot smaller than they are, I can never find ones that fit. I learned my lesson the hard way that ordering online from a company you've never tried on in person is an expensive mistake. Anyone wear size 8 and want to pay $200 for $425 worth of Transmutter boots and panels? Come on, I even have a matching purse I'll GIVE you.

Anyway, so I go online to look at what's in style so I know whether or not I even want to drive out to DSW and try on some 4's. Then I got even more depressed. Low and behold there were TONS of shoes that I loved and probably a. None of them will fit or b. They are not work appropriate. But, I thought I'd share them here since you guys might want them.

1: Ecco Ankle Bootie, $174.99
There is a small chance that DSW will have these, since they carry this brand there. If not, at least I can see how they fit and maybe order them online. Very cute, no? Having a little heel is the only disappointment but they would look just as good with the new Lip Service clothing (I'm going to blog about that, too) as they would with business stuff. That's a big plus for me. The only other down size is they're a little on the expensive side, but are all leather so should last forever.

2: Indigo Paddington, $99.99
This shoe is really professional looking but the round toe gives it a younger look. It's really different than all my other shoes. Sadly, it does not come in my size. Dickheads.

3: Naughty Monkey Forget Me Nots, $119.99

These shoes are pure badassery. They are my dream shoe. I want them more than almost any other shoe I've ever seen. ARGH!

4: Frye Ankle Boots, $348
Why oh shoe gods do you tempt me so? These boots are actually GRAY. Who makes gray boots? There is nothing that is not super cool about these. They make me want to buy a motorcycle. Insert sad face here.

5: Timberland Premium Rounded Heels, $140
If Aeon Flux was a real person walking around today, she'd wear these. Look at how these lace up. Awesome.

6: Naughty Monkey Posh Heels, $94.99
So, the more of their shoes I see the more I like this brand. They aren't that expensive, they have a great shape, and they have a bit of edge. (Plus remember those boots?!) These are actually on DSW's website for $10 cheaper... so they might be at the store. Exciting!

7: Guess by Marciano Soshanna Boots, $175
These boots are also pure badassery. People who know me realize that these boots would look absolutely perfect with my authentically, wear-distressed black jeans. They are a perfect replacement for my old "where anywhere" black Demonia boots I had in high school during my cyber goth phase. I really love the bronze ones so much that I could care less if they came in black... yes, that's what I said. Unfortunately, they are way too expensive for me to buy right now, but would make an excellent graduation present if my Uncle sends me money for graduation... hmm...


That is all. I will probably post later today about all the good new stuff coming out from Lip Service. I haven't been this excited about their clothing since the first Psycho Circus line was out (yes, that's like three years). Anyway, look forward to that and perhaps pictures of the shoes I actually get at DSW.

Spring 2009

So, I have to say that because I live in Florida, people (a lot of people) from outside the state always look down at (read: on) us and say we're always behind in fashion. I'll give them that a lot of us are, but the rest are way ahead. Let me explain why. We don't get to wear fall clothing.

For one week out of the year, we pull out everything we own that is velvet, leather, suede, and wool and wear interesting outfits everyday. Why? Because this is the only time of year we get to wear them. Especially goths. Are you going to wear vinyl pants in 85 degree, 70% humidity weather? No. What about velvet or long sleeve lace dresses? No, we wait for that week of cold snap to pull out the red leopard furry pants and thigh high leather boots.

The rest of the year we're wearing spring and summer clothing. Depending on how into fashion you are, that means we're always wearing something old, or making guesses at the next spring/summer trends. Needless to say, we're very excited in September when the new trends show, because we can wear them... on Christmas... next to the pool.

So I took just a quick look (cause I'm sick and want to go back to bed) at some of the London shows and was like, "SWEET! Right again!" I always get happy when old projects I've done correctly predict fashion trends. I think I should print out pages of looks that came from the same seasons to include in my portfolio to show how right I am all the time... and usually with very very little research.

So, I'm going to show you the image I used for my collection and you tell me what you think. Granted, the image is a bit "dark" because my clothing is gothic, but you'll immediately see the similarities in inspiration between my picture and the first collection I show you.

Ok, so, Brian Froud artwork. Anyway, I used it for Fall 2008 activewear/streetwear because it's an image of summer, when the fruit starts to go bad on trees right before fall is about to happen. I really liked the colors even though they didn't go with Fall 2008 trends. At the time, we did not have the Spring 2009 trends (though later, when they came in, I was tickled to see my designs matched Spring 2009).

On with the shows... btw, new on Style.com, when you look at the collection in full screen, you get huge pictures instead of tiny ones... hurray!

1: Erdem
So, I haven't really taken a look at this designer before but one of his designs was featured on the Style.com newsletter and it was gorgeous, so I couldn't resist. His collection has the same washed out tones I loved for my collection (including the blue my teacher made me discard... damn her). Also, take a look at the sleeve in my inspiration and the way he uses lace and embellishment to create the same look. Perhaps he is a Brian Froud fan as well? "I just wanted something soft and hyper-romantic, easy but a bit surreal at the same time," said Erdem Moralioglu backstage. "I've got all these images of seventies theater productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Eton boys wearing flowers in their boaters."

2: Fashion Fringe Competition
Four designers and though the girl that won did a great job, I don't agree with the choice. Anyway, take a look at the rich use of fabric manipulation. Something I've been really really into along with embellishments like embroidery and beading. Nice to see it on the runway.

3: Aquascutum
Amazing and wow. What a collection. Everyone should see it. It's got a casual, easy to wear shape and fabrics. I love the print dress with matching solid trench. Beautiful.

4: Paul Smith Women
This collection also pulls from the same color palette I used. There's nothing not beautiful about it. I really think this provincial, ethnic, patterned, colorful, voluminous look is going to be the characteristic of the next year. Please watch this show if you watch no other (they actually have video for it).

5: Luella
Also very exciting. I love the idea of the garden party look gone mad. These types of clothing will be the appropriate attire for my sort of garden party.

Note: I got a giggle about Marios Schwabs using bondage elements like the bathing suit collection I did forever ago. Very demode. I didn't like that he's doing the trend so late.

Also two of my favorite London design houses did this HORRIBLE early 90s inspiration and I swear if I see people wearing it, I will not only stop to make fun of them but might set them ablaze for wearing something so ugly. What were they thinking?!