Korhani Home's Gothic Bride

Hello sweeties.  I am up at Toronto Fashion Week this week covering the designers of the North.  While Toronto has some terrific boutiques and culture dark style, World Mastercard Fashion Week is generally not the venue for them. 

I was delighted to find some elaborate Gothic looks at the Korhani Home fashion show last night.  This is always one of the shows to look forward to.  They take their collection of home textiles and carpets and transform  them into dramatic themes with fantastic styling.

They took the collection of rugs in muted purples, eggplant, black and grey and transformed them into sweeping gowns, capes and kimono-inspired outfits.  They styled the models wigs into towering Bride of Frankenstein looks and accessorized them with decadent embellishments or pitch black ravens.

What do you think of this magic carpet runway show? 

Zombie Fragrance

Sunday night and I'm looking forward to watching someone kick some walker butt on the Walking Dead... While Michonne might have made headbands fashionable for the post-Zombie apocalypse age, I can't say there are too many more style trends created by the show.

Demeter fragrances begs to disagree.  They recently launched a zombie fragrance collection.  When people tell you that you smell like "something died", it generally isn't a compliment.  The product description for the men's fragrance lists notes of the forest floor, mushrooms, the women's as lighter, with dregs from the bottom of a wine barrel... (who knew female corpses were oenophiles?)

The same company also offers a "Funeral Home" fragrance.

Exclusive Interview: Immortal Game Designer CLIFFLEE

The Immortal Game is an edgy film and fashion collaboration between Noir Tribe Media and fashion designer CLIFFLEE.  The film imagines a gorgeous woman who embodies six different chess pieces that are sacrificed throughout the story, inspired by the famous chess match of 1851.

CLIFFLEE is a designer who has worked for iconic names in fashion like Helmut Lang and Jean-Paul Gaultier.  He created the dark, sexy looks for the film from his own collection.  

You can win your own CLIFF LEE Immortal game makeover with Noir Tribe's contest HERE.

We had a chance to get a quick interview with Cliff about his work:

Courtesan Macabre: You left Canada for Paris in 1996 and your resume includes working with some the most prominent designers in fashion today.  Are there any experiences from with previous employers that shape how you work today?

CLIFFLEE: Absolutely. The incredible amount of efforts required in creating a comprehensive collection.

CM: You have a dark, sexy style that is also edgy.  What inspirations inform your overall aesthetic?

 CL: Thank you. I guess mostly from abstract sculpture, painting and contemporary art.

CM: What is your design process? Do you prefer to drape or sketch?

CL: My design process is a combination of images, sketches and draping so they are both equally important to me.

CM: How did you approach the task of creating the looks for each chess character for the Immortal Game?

CL: The look of each character was first created by looking at the shape of each chess piece and then we elaborated the looks through their character symbolism with different accessories for Immortal Game.

CM: Are you a chess player yourself? 

CL: Yes but I don't play as much as I like to anymore unfortunately.

CM: Thanks Cliff!

Enter the Pinterest contest to win the handmade Pawn's hat, umbrella and a custom Pawn's dress made for you by CLIFFLEE himself!  Enter HERE.

Falguni Shane and Peacock Fall 2013

This husband and wife design duo was one of my favorite discoveries this past NY Fashion week.  They got their start making custom pieces for India's elite.  Now their dramatic, luxurious pieces have made their way into international boutiques and celebrities like Jennifer Lopez. 

The prints, the elaborate embroidery, the cyber-futuristic corseting had a dark and edgy feel.  Fierce and glamorous, I would love to strut down Gotham streets or a red carpet in any of these Falguni and Shane Peacock looks.  

Sergio Davila's Steampunk Muse

Most people love Steampunk as an aesthetic, but see it as a costume.  How do you bring a sense of romance and vintage appreciation into every day sportswear?  Peruvian designer Sergio Davila seems to have solved this question at his recent Fall 2013 fashion show.

Using a love of natural fiber fabrics and classic tailoring techniques, he created a collection for men and women with a vintage color palette of brown, grey, tan and black.  While the inspiration was retro, he updated the styling for more modern tastes.  Leather and brass hardware are nice details to trim shaped collars. Slicked hair for the gents and pin-up girl waves brought back the look of groomed days past...

See the full collection here. 

Horror Coiffeur - Charlie Le Mindu Spring 2013

A lesser-known designer made a spooky impact at the Paris couture shows this week... Charlie Le Mindu was inspired by women who "scare him", citing muses like Nina Hagen and Lee Aaron.

He created dramatic dresses made from human hair.  The effect recalled femme fatales of years past as well as striking dominatrix ladies of contemporary times.

What do you think of this collection?
Photos from nowfashion.com and Giovanni Giannoni

Lolita Boys? Comme des Garcons all 2013

Comme des Garcons at the recent menswear shows showed a collection that was definitely against the norm of traditional "masculinity".  In addition to the typical black and avant garde clothing from the label, they had male models stroll down the runway in bunny and Mickey Mouse ears from Stephen Jones.  There were pastel jackets, pajama-like pants and fuzzy sweaters...   This was supposed to be an ode to "youth".  Yes, even handsome male models and iconic designers have an awkward phase...

Noir Style at the Golden Globes

I love a sexy sheer gown! E! Red carpet host Giuliana Rancic had a stunning gown from Greek designer Celia Kritharioti.  Juliana Marguiles had a beautifully embroidered serpent-like gown from Emilio Pucci. 

Helena Bonham Carter always gets criticized for her choices on the red carpet... I personally loved her eccentric Vivienne Westwood getup in 2012, but I may have been the only one.  Last night, she wore a beautiful black lace Dolce & Gabbana dress with a quirky Lulu Guinness lip purse with matching lipstick.  Hugs.  

Two golden girls looked fierce in Alexander McQueen... Kate Hudson wore a figure flattering dress with dramatic gold embroidery coming from the neck while Nicole Kidman had gold motifs framing her face and sexy sheer lines at her midriff...

What was YOUR favorite look of the night?

The Effects of Color

What colour dress will you wear tonight? It is possible that the colour that you wear can have a deeper psychological effect that previously thought. Have you ever been shopping and found out that depending on what mood you are in you feel more or less drawn to items of a certain colour?

This may not be a random coincidence. Apart from colour affecting your mood in general (if you are feeling stressed you can imagine the effect that being placed in an intensely colourful, or all black room would have on your mood in comparison to a calming white space) it is possible that wearing certain colours can have an immediate effect on you and the people that are around you. It is rumoured that colours can have an influence on your creativity and how you get on with others around you.

How Does This Happen?

It is well known that the seasons affect our mood greatly. February comes and we all start to understand the blues that come with seasonal affective disorder which is caused by a lack of a certain sort of light. Colour is essentially the reflection of light. Though an easily ridiculed idea, it is possible that the colours that are around us can contribute to a general feeling of happiness and wellbeing. If you are a working woman then it’s possible that you spend more time at the office than at home as many people have to these days. The upshot of this is that wearing the right colour can have a positive effect on you, your colleagues and your acquaintances.

Inspiring Productivity

Thinking about how colours affect people only takes a little bit of creative thinking. What do certain colours make you feel? It has been suggested that red can boost energy levels in office workers. So why not think about investing in some red dresses to inspire you and your co-workers with the added bonus that it is renowned as a super sexy colour too. Choose between a gorgeous crimson, vermillion, scarlet, or a lighter pink shade.

The colour does not need to invoke fear, as in H.G. Wells' story, this all may be a psychological phenomenon which is self perpetuating. If the right mental attitude is applied in a certain situation a motivating and pioneering spirit can be brought out by colours such as red, bringing out leadership qualities and an ambitious and determined state of mind. A little bit of thought each morning or when out shopping can potentially change a day very easily.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Very.co.uk.

ODD Style - NYC

Looking for some haute Gothic style?  Or just something luxe and just a bit ODD...   A fairly new boutique in  Manhattan's Lower East Side carries a curated collection of designers that specialize in the exotic, the dark and edgy like Dafne Balatsos, Heidi Gardner, MartinMartin, Rochambeau and Gareth Pugh.

They collaborate with stylists and are working on their own label as well.   Women usually luck out with designers, and they do again at this store, but I love that they have a huge selection for men.  For once, men have just as many fashion forward options in clothes and accessories as the ladies.

ODD Boutique

164 Ludlow Street

New York, NY 10002

(Between Houston and Stanton)

Zombie Fashion Show - Syracuse Snarl

Upstate New York is generally not known as a fashion capital.  Perhaps that's why local businesses and designers have come together to put on a fashion show with a twist.  Syracuse Snarl, Zombie Fashion Show is staging their event at the city's Landmark Theater.

It is a fundraiser for the theater and a tongue-in-cheek party to celebrate the last night before the Mayan calendar's  "end of the world."   The fashion show will be hosted by local radio DJs and feature models both zombie and living to show fashion from local designer Lisa Butler and local boutiques like Dougherty's Masquerade, Showoff's Boutique, Frightmare Farms, Kreepy Krafts, The Artful Obscure, and Modern Pop Culture.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Landmark Theater, 362 South Salina Street, Syracuse, New York 13202

Tickets are $10 for regular admission and $20 for VIP seats, available at the door or in advance by calling the Landmark Theatre box office at 315-475-7979 ext. 107.

Death: A Self Portrait

A new exhibit in London explores the human fascination with death throughout time and various cultures.  Death: A Self-portrait at the Wellcome collection showcases morbid still lifes from the 1600's, to Day of the Dead sculptures in the 1970s.  Metamorphic postcards from 1900's, ancestral offerings to contemporary art and sculpture are also displayed.  

As macabre as this exhibit may appear at first, I found it very interesting to see how people of different histories interpret death.  It's not so much about being morbid, but acknowledging how short life really is, or celebrating the person who once was, so they are never forgotten.  Everyone's relationship with death is so very personal, which makes each item special.  

Death: A Self Portrait 

Until February 24, 2013

Wellcome Collection, 183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK

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

The Tragedy of Maria Macabre

photos by Michael Blase

Happy Halloween my lovelies! I had a wonderful time with my Victorian Horrors party over the weekend, with illicit teacup cocktails, ravens and the exquisite dancers of Rachel Klein Productions.

They are the amazing group behind the Symphony of Shadows I saw earlier this year.  If you are in  New York this Sunday, check out the fantastic new production, The Tragedy of Maria Macabre.  The show is a macabre circus, a bit of Grand Guignol, and gorgeous celebration for the Day of the Dead. The performance will take place at La Mama theater in the East Village.

Check out the trailer here.  More information about the event here. 

Sunday, November 4, 2012

5:30 PM

Club at La MaMa. 

74a East 4th Street, btwn 2nd Ave and Bowery

UPDATE 11/1/12: Due to the damage from Hurricane Sandy, the theater is closed until further notice.  Please check out their site to stay informed of their current projects and their next show!

Dracula - Ballet with Bite

Forget all the bloodsucking politician jokes.  Opening tonight and going through November 4, 2012 is the Washington Ballet's company premiere of Dracula.  They promise the production will be sexy and very theatrical...  Choreographer Michael Pink aims to stay true to the original novel.  His dancers embody much more dimensional characters in this production than you would expect in typical ballet recitals.  It looks like the costumes will be gorgeous and Goth...  Hmm, I might need to hop a bus down to the country capital for this one.

Learn more here: http://www.washingtonballet.org/season-performances/dracula
Photo from the Washington Post/Dayna Smith

Steampunk Style at NY Comic-Con

New York Comic-Con is the most inclusive place ever when it comes to how you dress.  That said, I was disappointed at small minority of Steampunk style this year in the crowds of cosplay.  Never fear, I came across two amazing designers who make amazing wearable pieces.

Steampunk gone Haute Couture...Silverleaf Costumes.  My gentleman consort came home with an exquisite hand tooled leather top hat, intricate clockwork gear goggles and a hip pouch that lit up like Tesla waves.  He was embarrassed to tell me how much he spent, but for this quality of craftsmanship, I would not expect it to be cheap.  The pieces were definitely priced appropriately for the pieces of art that they were.  Not convinced?  Film director Guillermo Del Toro was also browsing the booth while we were there, promising to consult with him on his next film.  The artists make clothing and seek out old clocks at every flea market just to find a variety of parts for their work.

Looking for some sexier, edgy pieces?  Brute Force Leather creates corsets that are more armor than lingerie.  Does the elaborate arm piece look familiar?  The makers at this studio also made the costume pieces worn by Nathan Fillion on the Steampunk episode of ABC's "Castle".

New York Comic-Con Style Report

New York Comic-Con was once called "Geek Prom" by a local news anchor.  I can't say I disagree.  The effort that enthusiastic fans have put into their looks is enough to rival any eager high school senior I can think of...

Here are your Lolitas:

 Your Goths:

 Your cosplay characters, anime, superheros and "undetermined"...

Photos by Adam Weinstein