style fashion: 2010

Most Epic Costumes for 2010 - it's a Lantern Corps shutout!

MARGIE COX AS CAROL FERRIS

For a few years I've been a proud member of THE SUPERHERO COSTUMING FORUM (the SCF for short). While I'm not there daily like I used to be, it's still my "home" for my costuming needs, advice, tips and comraderie. *There's an application process because we choose to maintain a level of adult maturity that may not be welcome by youngsters just googling for superhero costumes.

The members of the board got to nominate their favorite Female and Male costume creations for 2010. Winners Margie Cox (Star Sapphire Carol Ferris) and Aaron Rivin (Kilowog of the Green Lantern Corps) deserve a huge round of virtual applause for what they managed to accomplish.

It should be no surprise that with DC Comics' crossover event Blackest Night followed by Brightest Day, that the various Lantern Corps were on everyone's minds. In 2010 the costumers managed to pull off some of the most challenging costumes including Larfleeze, Avarice Lex Luthor, Brother Warth and even little props like Dex-Starr, Xax of Xaos, and Ch'p. It would take days to showcase all of the wonderful Lantern Corps costumes seen in 2010. You can get a really great idea from the sister site, THE LEAGUE OF LANTERNS. Plenty of prop makers were busy sculpting masks, corps rings and power batteries long before DC Direct ever got them to market. These are fierce costumers. Some get hyped by the competition of being first; others of being the best. When I can't answer a question, these are the people I send you to.

AARON RIVIN AS KILOWOG

Margie crafted her Star Sapphire costume on her own. It's hard not to be envious of her. She's a lovely person who is always extremely gracious and generous with her time. She does a ton of charity work to raise money for Base Camp. And to top it off, she has mad skills. Her Star Sapphire costume was made WITH SCRAPS from one of her older projects. Yeah. You want to hate her but you just can't help but be in love with her. If you recall, I was first going to tackle this version of Carol Ferris but after seeing Margie whip this out in a weekend, I went with the more modest Silver Age version.

Aaron's Kilowog costume was a full-blown collaboration. The muscle suit, mask, uniform, and ring were all made by people connected to the SCF. He credits the costume to the following:

Mask by Matt Geuther (maskmasters.com)
Muscle suit and Hands by Brandon Lane (FlexDesigns)
Green Lantern Bodysuit by Brian Parsley (GreenarrowFL)
Green Lantern Ring by Shane Browning (Shane9mm)

CONGRATULATIONS TO MARGIE AND AARON! As always, an unlimited amount of thanks go out to DJ Spider and LoganAllenWolf, our illustrious admins at the SCF. You can also find us on Facebook.

Shameless plug: I designed Dex-Starr's costume for the 2010 Comic-Con International. This Dex-Starr seen with DC's Dan DiDio was co-created with Jill Pantozzi who accompanied Dex as her own Rage Lantern.

Please vote for me for Top Geek

Please vote for me for iiNet’s Top Geek! I’m sure the competition is tough as I’m not a hardcore gamer but I am your average comic book girl and would love to win this title. Yes, I’m pandering. I’m begging, in fact. I have no problem admitting that. It takes only a couple seconds and no registration process is necessary.

I’ve been reviewing comic books and interviewing creators since 2007 for websites like Dynamic Forces and the Girls’ Entertainment Network until launching my own site AmberUnmasked.com. I started my YouTube channel in 2008 to discuss comics, conventions and bring you interviews with creators and celebrities.

Even though I’ve been writing as long as I’ve been cosplaying, it’s my role as Wonder Woman for NJ’s annual domestic violence awareness fundraiser that most people know me. At Comic Fusion, we spend all year collecting artwork and then auction it for our local domestic abuse shelter. This year we raised $16k with the help of fine comic artists like Adam Hughes and Allison Sohn. I’ve also been modeling for over a year for CosplayDeviants and for prestigious art schools like Joe Kubert’s School for Cartooning & Graphic Arts in NJ.

New Pin-Ups based on vintage styles with modern rockabilly edge

Ever since I realized there was a resurgence in the vintage pin-ups of the WWII era, I knew that I would eventually find a way to partake in the scene. The pin-up look is more than wardrobe. It’s hair, makeup, and setting. A perfect pin-up shoot embraces all of this like recreations of dark brunettes in diners or red lipsticked blondes saluting the soldiers.

So far, I've only done two retro inspired shoots, one in Pittsburgh and one recently in Ohio. If you go to AmberUnmasked.com and click the top menu for Photo Galleries, follow it to Glamour for both the shoots. All of the details about where I found the dress and shoes are explained there.

The photos by Jay Fife were done specifically for him to use as reference for his pencil/graphite illustrations. If you'd like Jay to create a custom commission piece from one of my photos or any other character you want, he's available for commissions right now. The picture below is one Jay did using one of our other photo sets from Halloween. He created me as the Bride of Frankenstein (that bleached out stripe in my hair is good for more than Rogue!) and he invented a hardcore steampunk scene inside the mad scientist's laboratory. This picture should be available as a print for the 2011 convention circuit.

Don't forget that you can join the AmberUnmasked Facebook Page which is easier than trying to get me to accept friend requests.

Power Girl wishes you a peaceful season!

On behalf of the Justice Society of America, I send you my very best wishes for a peaceful and happy holiday season! ~Power Girl

Thank you for all the fantastic support in 2010. I've been costuming since 2006 and blogging about it since then. Over the years, I have expanded to reviewing comic books, then interviewing creators, actors, models and costumers. A year ago I started modeling and it's been an incredible experience. I would not have been able to do it without friends and strangers taking time out of their days to read the articles and leave me notes about what you like.

May 2011 be filled with good luck and prosperity!

What is your version of the ultimate nerdvana as a costumer?

Being asked to appear in a comic or at a booth for a character I love. Definitely an amazing feeling though I've not been in a comic yet but have done a bit of booth work.

Ask me anything but seriously think twice about rude or insulting remarks.

Isn't the term "cosplay" just for the anime folks? Shouldn't superhero costumers have their own term?

Sort of. A lot of costumers of the mainstream books/shows prefer the term "costumer" exclusively; others don't mind sharing the term "cosplay." I typically don't "get into character" and I don't "do skits" like the anime people but I'm just used to the word cosplay and it makes searches/hits easier.

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Video 1 from The Anachronism

My very first steampunk event:

Hopefully I'll get the rest of the video edited soon.

Dark & Strange Alice

I actually finished my Dark & Strange Alice Liddell in time to wear it last weekend to a steampunk event. I hadn't planned on wearing it but figured, what the heck, Alice in Wonderland is from the time period of Victorian literature and the theme was Oz Meets Wonderland; so it worked out. I was one of at least four Alices.

Work in Progress - Alice in Wonderland

ALICE LIDDELL of Wonderland dress: The “sexy” babydoll dress in my photo gallery was actually the property of my photographer; the long traditional one in my Brooklyn shoot was one my mother made but is so worn and getting shredded. The construction of this Dark and Strange Alice dress is going much faster than I anticipated.

Of course I modified the design slightly from the Simplicity pattern (#4015) so that may have streamlined it a bit. There are so many parts of this that have been frustrating.

All the progress pics with my current notes of the process are at AmberUnmasked.com.

Have you ever done multiple costumes for a single character whose look has changed over the years?

Not exactly. There's probably only 4 costumes I have that are even close to how they appear in the media (Firestar, Harley Quinn, Ace, and Susan Storm). I've made 2 versions of Wonder Woman only as improvement progress but both were my own versions. All my other suits are usually a bit of my own creative license. I'm just happy they are recognizable at all. My first Rogue was the green/yellow Rogue which I had made but then I made one of my own design and I know it won't be like anyone else's Rogue out there. I wouldn't mind doing some of Rogue's other outfits because I really love most of her wardrobe. I know Firestar has an alternate outfit too with black in it but I really loved her because of the cartoon so that's the one I'm sticking with.

Ask me anything but seriously think twice about rude or insulting remarks.

Out of anyone, who do you think I should cosplay?

I want you to be the best damn Batgirl out there because I know it's what you want, but I'm working on a plan for it.

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When looking for characters to play, do you look for characters that reflect your personality, ones that run counter to your personality, or does personality not play into it at all?

The personality has to have something I can relate to but that doesn't mean I'm like it necessarily. I can relate to Wonder Woman being courageous but that doesn't mean I am. I happen to be crazy but I think Harley is the character in my wardrobe I like the least to dress as because other people do it so much better; I look at my issues and they are reflective but Harley but I don't gel with her on a personal level. Even characters I don't know well when I start usually have something in common with me after a while.

Ask me anything but seriously think twice about rude or insulting remarks.

What comic character do you like, but think you could never dress as, and why not?

Costumes like Vampirella. Basically the way artists paint/color is that they just add color over a naked body; many don't know the first thing about how fabric drapes or specifically how clothing is constructed. Vampi's suit would not cup under her boobs unless you saw stitching there for underwire (like a bra or corset does). If I don't think I can make the costume, then I just wouldn't do it. That's why I've never attempted Circe. There tons of costumes that would be just far too expensive for me also. I've seen them done and envy them but I know I try to keep my stuff under $300. When you have to hire sculptors and moldmakers you're talking about adding big expenses. I've started collecting pieces for Zatanna but it will take years. I don't know how to properly make the elements of her outfit so I'll have to buy them and it will just take a long time. I can like a character plenty but that also doesn't mean I'd feel comfortable in her costume. I wore the most revealing costume of my wardrobe this year and it was very uncomfortable. I didn't have the security of just being alone with an artist or a photographer; I was out there at comic con with hundreds of thousands of fans. I like the Ame-Comi action figures but I don't think I'd ever attempt one of those because of their complexity (here's a tip: less fabric/coverage does not mean easier to make).

Ask me anything but seriously think twice about rude or insulting remarks.

What book are you currently reading ?

I'm not answering because I know it's one of those general blasts to everyone registered. I blog constantly about my reading. Sorry to be a bitch, but go read my blogs.

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2011 projects

I’m trying to start my winter projects for the 2011 comic convention season. First up is a new (yes, yet another) ALICE LIDDELL of Wonderland dress. The “sexy” babydoll dress in my photo gallery was actually the property of my photographer; the long traditional one in my Brooklyn shoot was one my mother made but is so worn and getting shredded. Time for a new “twisted Alice” created by me. I’ll be modifying Simplicity Pattern 4015 to suit my needs.

The hardest one I have my sights on is PHYLA VELL from GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. Firstly, I need to read more about her. I’ve only read the first six issues of GotG and I’m sure there’s a lot more to know about who she is and what her personality is like. But the aside from the non-visible, the costume is one that looks easy on the surface but when examining the details like the thigh high boots, the armored gauntlets and the sword, I’m afraid this will be the one to torment me. I’m just not a prop person which means I’d rather hire a friend to do it which means I’d have to be able to afford to outsource part of the project.

Another Marvel creation is BLACK WIDOW but not the one most people would think of. It’s normal to think of the black catsuit-clad Russian-American on theAvengers (which I will get to when I have time to work on the stingers); instead I’m talking about the Black Widow from THE TWELVE which was a Marvel take over of characters that had fallen into public domain. Chris Weston has been the artist and now also the writer on the series (it was yet ANOTHER series started by Straczynski and never finished). The reason I’m looking forward to the Black Widow project is because I will creating while at theComic Geek Speak Supershow! That’s right! I’m crazy. I got the idea from 24-Hour Comic Day where artists and writers make a whole comic in a marathon timespan of 24 hours straight. I can’t work at the convention center for 24 hours (and I wouldn’t miss the Third & Spruce parties anyway) so I’m dividing the project up over the 2 days, April 30-May1, 2011. Hopefully I’ll get it finished. I only wished Chris Weston could fly over to America to be there with me.

Last up is the KIRBY KRACKLE MASCOT. I finally got to meet Jim & Kyle of Kirby Krackle at the NYCC after being online only friends. They had a couple great concerts at NY. I didn’t even have to invade their booth! Jim came over to Love and Capes and stole me away from Thom. I asked them if I could design an original KK costume and they said I could try the super girl that’s on one of their album covers. I studied and reworked it to something I might be able to create better. I only wish I could fly out to Emerald City Comic Con and wear for them since that’s “their” show – literally… Jim owns ECCC. If you missed it, I interviewed Jim & Kyle a while ago.

THE TWELVE'S BLACK WIDOW	GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY'S PHYLA VELL
TWISTED ALICE	KIRBY KRACKLE MASCOT

What's your favourite character costume and why?

Of the ones that I have? Probably my Susan Storm (F4) outfit because it's the most comfortable and now signed by Joe Sinnott. :) But being Wonder Woman is always the best because people recognize her most. For comic con though, it's Firestar. I get the best reaction from fanboys when I wear that one. Of ones I don't have, I love Terry Dodson's Circe. Wish my skills were good enough to make it (and my bank balance!)

Ask me anything but seriously think twice about rude or insulting remarks.

What comic character do you think has the sexiest costume?

Julie Newmar's Catwoman

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When did you first decide to get into Cosplay?

2006

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What activity do you do to relax and wind down from a stressful day?

Listen to music or podcasts while checking the usual social networking sites. I love certain tv shows and of course reading when my eyes aren't too tired from a computer monitor. I actually don't go out much.

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You're winding down from an absolutely perfect day. What kind of music is playing in the background?

My music goes through phases. Currently I'm in a bizarre mix of things like Mazzy Star, Norah Jones and Jace Everett. A perfect day with the window down usually calls for dance music though like Madonna.

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Let's go with both!

"What model would you LOVE to set up a co-operation with for a photoshoot? For cosplay? For art?"
I'd love to work with @AerynNerdy from @CosplayDeviants because I think our bodies types would look great together. She's so magickal in spirit that I could see us doing a magick/fantasy theme like faeries, nymphs or witches. The two of us could make one helluva calendar with different themes each month. I'm really addicted to Alice Liddell/Wonderland so I would love to get her dressed up as those characters. For art - I think what we do IS art but to spin it, I actually think it'd be a neat idea to recreate masterpieces; there was a wonderful time when women were admired for their curves and bellies. We could be really bad and do our versions of some of the religious work by Renaissance masters. The problem is we are literally on opposite sides of the globe.

Ask me anything but seriously think twice about rude or insulting remarks.

What's your alcoholic beverage of choice?

That changes a lot. I'm usually interested in adding liquor to coffee. That's probably what I do most frequently. I had actually given up alcohol for years because I didn't want to beat up my liver w/o having my gall bladder and because I saw every drink as a cup of calories. I enjoy a really good beer. I'm a little snobby about my beer and coffee.

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Who is your favorite co-cosplayer? (or cosplayers?)

I have a long list of favorites: Riddle, Belle Chere, Allen Hansard, Brian Parsley, Ana Aesthetic, Jessica Nova, Aeryn Nerdy, Margie Cox, Laban Bolero and DJ Spider.. to literally name just a few. There are tons out there that I couldn't pick one fave because each one does something unique. The great thing is we all know each other and help each other out because of thesuperherocostumingforum.com and League of Heroes, League of Lanterns, etc.

Ask me anything but seriously think twice about rude or insulting remarks.

Are there any original characters cosplay ideas you would like to develop and shoot? Do you ever get asked to model for aspiring creators to promote their original characters?

Steve Bryant didn't ask me to, but I've spent years trying to acquire the right pieces for ATHENA VOLTAIRE (@stevebryantart). They may have been joking but @KirbyKrackle and I discussed me becoming their mascot which is on my To Do list for January or February. My very first superhero costume is my original character but I've also sketched out original versions for steampunk designs (I just don't have the prop making skills to do them). The character generator in City of Heroes is really the only reason I play the game. I've also worked with @citizenDave and @kfreeman13 to promote their comics but not specifically as their characters. http://amberunmasked.com/?page_id=201

Ask me anything but seriously think twice about rude or insulting remarks.

As for full cosplay I meant getting into a full character (hero or otherwise). I would imagine Wonder Woman since that is the one I have seen you with the most, but would that be part of an ideal shoot?

I don't have an ultimate superhero shoot per se. Doing a great cheesecake shoot would be tops. Then I'd love to experience the real Hollywood style full blown set shoots for fun characters that I would not normally consider doing like Jungle Girl, Lady Death or Red Sonja (anytime I can play with swords is fun). Just no way would I seriously do them now but Hollywood special f/x go a long way. If I could do an entire series of Wonder Woman, I'd love to be decked in different versions of her costumes like her simple Island dress to armored warrior but it would be great to battle Ares. I've also never gotten to do a shoot with anyone else to play off of (Ooo, bad preposition at the end of a sentence *gasp*) . One of my visions for Ace would be to mentally torture the Joker with Batman in the background. The episode of JLU got pretty dark.

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Marilyn Monroe or Betty Page style pin up? Or would you go to a full cosplay?

Pin-up cheesecake is both Marilyn and Bettie. Their poses were similar as were their hair and make-up. They're a great balance of fair vs dark. Only differences come up when Bettie gets into bondage. The only way I would even try that would be a photographer that I trust with my life because I just would never do it otherwise. Not sure what you mean about "full cosplay." Donning any persona (hair, makeup, etc) that's not your normal everyday self, is cosplay to me. When I wore suits to work I used to feel like I was acting but not in a good/fun way.

Ask me anything but seriously think twice about rude or insulting remarks.

What would be your dream shoot? Behind or in front of the camera?

In front of the camera: I'd love to have the perfect hair, makeup and wardrobe for a glamorous pin-up/vintage inspired shoot. I've never experienced the whole works of being made up and I think it makes a big difference in the quality of a shoot. Behind the camera: I'm not a photographer but I always figured I'd end up there since I like directing but I don't have the technical knowledge of how to use a camera to actually do the mechanical elements of a shoot; directing though I'd love to help any woman with low self-esteem about her appearance and prove to her that she's beautiful like they do with "How to Look Good Naked." I think once you have it proven to you, it's a lot easier to accept that we don't have to be perfect and that even celebs/supermodels have been digitally enhanced.

Ask me anything but seriously think twice about rude or insulting remarks.

More Halloween Pin-Up Photos

I just finished uploading the Rogue and Harley Quinn pin-up photos by Jay Fife. I'm exhausted! I haven't even gotten to resize the Bettie Page inspired ones. That will have to be another day. For now, please Digg my links to AmberUnmasked.com's new pages:

MY DIGG PROFILE

New Catwoman Pics

This is how I spent my Halloween for 2010. One of my dearest friends Jay Fife came all the way from Ohio to shoot reference pictures for his pin-up art. We did several series from Bettie Page to Harley Quinn and Rogue. It’s this Catwoman set that we did in a better setting which makes for better photos than my living room. Hopefully Jay will get to use them whenever he gets a commission for Catwoman.

This is one of two costumes in my closet that I didn't make myself. I bought it and had to modify it. It still doesn't fit right. The shoulders were always really weird. And I had taken it in so much last summer from losing weight that now I can't zip it because I put the weight back on. Oh well.

AMBERUNMASKED.COM FOR MORE

Great Allentown Comic Con this weekend, Oct. 30th

I'll be helping judge the Costume Contest at the Great Allentown Comic Con so be nice to me! Bribes help! :)

http://amberunmasked.com/?p=3187

You have had many "adventures". Ever think of writing a book?

I want to turn my "adventures" into comics or a graphic novel of short stories. Now that I've read other real world comics like "The Alcoholic," I see that there is an audience for things non-supernatural or zombie in the comics market. I have a short story scripted that I'll be expanding now that I've gotten feedback from peers and medical experts to make it a better and longer script. It might take up to a year to get the writing done, then to afford an artist and letterer is a whole 'nother challenge. I still don't know that anyone would want to read it but I won't know until I do it.

SAFE galleries
	Alice in Wonderland - Steampunk Fairytales
	Arctic Adventures
	Firestar (1st gallery)
	Wonder Woman Princess
	X-Men's Rogue
	Star Sapphire
	Flickr photosets: Rogue, Wonder Woman, Fantastic Four, Harley Quinn, Alternate X-Men, Firestar, Power Girl, Umbrella Academy, Amber the Stylist
DISCRETION ADVISED
	Alice in Wonderland, Lolita/Goth/Steampunk
	Pittsburgh Filmmakers Glamour Shoots
	Firestar Lingerie Set
	Fantastic Four
	Wonder Woman / Amazon Deviant - teaser images for Cosplay Deviants set
	X-Men, Picnic Rogue
NSFW galleries	Must be a member of the VIP roster to actually view these:
	Cowgirl with Guns
	Art School Modeling - these are set up as blog posts and not in the "galleries" section; you can find them under my Resume section.
	Cosplay Deviants - about once a month I highlight the new sets that are out