30 Years of Magic - Beaujolais Nouveau Party

NYC's Highline Ballroom was host to a decadent magic-themed party designed by Adam Aleksander.  The celebration was in honor of the 30th anniversary of  Georges DuBoeuf's Beaujolais Nouveau.

The ballroom was flooded in sexy red light, dramatic moss hanging from the ceilings, a large collection of clocks along the walls.  Sexy contortionists and burlesque ladies on stilts mingled and kept the wine flowing.  Magicians dazzled the guests with either feats of amazement or humor.

Fabulously attired psychics read your tarot cards while artists sketched the scene.  The guests themselves were a parade of gorgeous, masquerade style.  Loved the black and white hats, masks and elaborate outfits!

Photos by  Rebecca Smeyne and Mariana Leung

National Ballet's Alice in Wonderland

I'm so disappointed that I won't make it to Toronto to catch this gorgeous production of Alice in Wonderland from the National Ballet of Canada.  The costumes, the sets just look f**king brilliant!  My sister is seeing for the second time this week, the minx.  It has a witty, twisted, slightly dark quality.  Growing up watching their performances, I know the actual dancing and choreography will be nothing short of amazing.

Check out the costume porn above.  If you are lucky enough to be in the city, grab tickets for their last few performance here. 

Photos from the National Ballet of Canada. Cylla von Tiedemann.Bruce Zinger

The Vesper project opens today at the Friedman Benda gallery in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York.  It is a spooky installation of artist Titus Kaphar that weaves personal stories of his family, historical context, found objects and distorted photographs.

It was intended to be an experiential artwork presentation.  Viewers will explore abandoned wardrobes, old typewriters, gilt frames but altered to cause doubt and alter recognition.  Think of it as a very high brow haunted house of an artist's personal story...  For more information, cehck out the gallery website: http://www.friedmanbenda.com/

Titus Kaphar: The Vesper Project

November 8 - December 1, 2012 

Dia de los Muertos Style

Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican holiday celebrated at the beginning of November to celebrate loved ones who have passed on has become a huge aesthetic trend of late.

I first saw a flood of gorgeous beauty editorials from studios like 666 Photography.  They did a series of elaborate, burlesque-type looks with intricate floral headpieces and beautiful makeup.  I saw more and more of this as a cosmetics trend, culminating in several Dia de los Muertos fashionistas arriving at my recent Halloween party (that's Ulla in the red leather chair).

The Day of the Dead has a certain romantic appeal, judging by the many weddings that have incorporated the theme over at the Offbeat Bride.  The cakes looks beautiful and delicious!

The trend of nail art has inspired amazing works in manicures.  My favorite was the three dimensional look seen from Wicked B3eauty's  Tumblr.   Over at Etsy, designers like Kasket Kustoms are creating elegant and macabre jewelry collections that honor the skull-headed revelers.

Manicure photo from Wicked b3auty, corset/flower/beauty photos by 666 Photography, Ulla in chair by Mariana Leung, Cake photo from  She-n-He Photography, jewelry from Kasket Kustoms