style fashion: July 2011

Tutorial: Cyclone as debuted at SDCC

Today Jill Pantozzi debuted her CYCLONE AND FRANKIE costume for the legions of fans at one of her Comic Con International panels.

I created a tutorial of sorts, more like a "how not to do this" blog on AmberUnmasked. I documented BOTH attempts at the dress plus the monkey's outfit. (*as always be warned, the direct page linked is safe but other content on my site might be considered nsfw).

A fun look at what it's like to turn into Slave Leia (@VictoriaCosplay)

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY did a fun feature on my friend VICTORIA "COSPLAY GIRL" in their San Diego Comic Con International coverage. They shot a gallery of 17 images of Victoria transforming from east coast preschool teacher into Return of the Jedi's Princess Leia.

You can follow along Victoria's other costuming adventures at her facebook fan page and her twitter feed.

photo by Seraphim Images

Odd Things To Do With an Old Wedding Dress - superhero cape

Sometimes my internet searches turn up the most interesting things. I discovered a website called MyExWifesWeddingDress and Dress Use #48 shows an ex-husband that used it as a cape for his superhero persona. This humorous ex was joined by fellow costumers appearing as the Hulk and others.

Vogue shows Super Hero inspiration in the Fall Fashion lineup

I don't know that I agree with VOGUE that this fall season is any different in featuring cloaks and capes; in cold weather, we tend to turn to those pieces of our wardrobe. However, it is nice they claim to be seeing the influence of comic books in modern haute couture, real or imaginary.

You may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound (maybe you never wanted to) or crawl around on all fours like a feline femme fatale (marginally more appealing), but that is no reason to cast a cold eye on the superhero-infused styles set to alight in stores this fall. (Which means, in the alternative-reality universe we actually inhabit, that they are arriving on racks right now.)

Animal prints come and go so any given season one can say Catwoman is an influence. Red is always a popular fall and winter color. As I said, even my off-the-rack shopping mother wears different capes in our New Jersey winters; capes and cloaks are a staple. Tall boots to the knee or over them are always a fall/winter feature on the fashion landscape as well.

Could you say X-MEN movies made it acceptable for non-bikers to wear full leather? Hmmm, maybe. But I don't see people running around in cowls. Did emo-ridden Bella from TWILIGHT make wearing flannel acceptable? I hope people don't believe that. I've been surrounded by flannel and denim since I was born.

Let's not forget the power of spandex/lycra leggings! They come and go in popularity and are best when worn under tunics. They can be worn with high heels, boots or sandals. Maybe we owe the popularity of leggings to Superman and his blue tights; but I don't think it's anything "new" for 2011's Fall lineup.

Some items listed on etsy

I just listed two costumes on etsy. I'm hoping the PayPal works because I have it routing to someone else's account since I can't use it (FUCK PAYPAL). However, I am extremely desperate for money and need to start selling off my suits.

Please read the descriptions carefully.

The first two are pretty simple and only worn once. A generic X-Men suit that would be fit for Rogue, Kitty or Jean Grey, pretty much any Xavier Institute student. Bodysuit only - not the buckle, belt, leggings, etc.

The second is my classic Star Sapphire / Carol Ferris. It's the suit & headpiece only, not the gloves, mask or ring.

I AM NOT TAKING COMMISSIONS. I am only selling off what I have already made in the sizes specified.

Would you consider dressing up as the "pants" version of Wonder Woman just for a good gag/alternate outfit one day at a con for the people who are familiar with you?

Only if someone else paid for the materials. It's no as bad w/o the jacket but I wouldn't spend my own money on it. I would love it if the pants were blue & she kept her old boots. Right now, I'm trying to save to make the Adam Hughes white gown version. It's like 12 yards of silk for that.

NOTE: Questions that are mass spammed to everyone, rude or have nothing to do with me get DELETED.

And for Canada Day....SASQUATCH!

This incredible, award-winning SASQUATCH costume was made and worn by my brother in costuming from The Superhero Costuming Forum, ALLEN HANSARD! I had to use this pic from his gallery so you can get the idea of the scale.