Steampunk Fashion, Taxidermy and Vampire Lit in BUST Magazine.

Color me surprised. This month's issue of women's lifestyle mag, Bust Magazine featured several stories for those of gothic sensibility. I usually associate this publication with crafts, tongue-in-cheek style and profiles of unique women. This issue, did that, but did in a delightfully dark way. One feature profiled taxidermy artist Sabrina Brewer and her delicate, creepy sculptures. Next up, Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse book series, (and inspiration for HBO's "True Blood".) The dessert of this magazine was a gorgeous fashion spread of Steampunk fashion with an Edward Munch color palette. Get your copy, or take a sneek peek online.

Paris Couture: Alexander McQueen Fall 09

Fashion's bad-boy and genius, Alexander McQueen produced another beautiful spectacle this season on the runway. His dark and twisted sense of humor and Gothic references are mingled with subtle digs at his fellow designers and the current economic climate. Edward Gorey parasol hats and "Brazil" movie-inspired makeup accessorized the models. Escher prints adorned a few dresses, a Poiret cocoon silhouette, snakelike coils, tubes and exaggerated Dior-like shapes rounded out this cheeky macabre collection. A heap of darkened props of runways past sat in the middle of the stage like the corpses of excess past.

The Courtesan's Playlist: Rasputina

Calling themselves a chamber-rock band, the haunting sounds of their voices and cello have made their way onto the soundtrack of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". Rasputina has toured with Porno for Pyros and Marilyn Manson. They pay their respects to history with references to Howard Hughes and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire in their music as well as with fashion, wearing vintage corsets and garb in their shows. More recently, they had a song, "Coraline" on a Neil Gaiman tribute album.

Steampunk Trunk Jewelry

Looking for feminine, pretty, yet industrial steam punk-inspired jewelry? An artist from Oneida, New York has set up a beautiful shop of her wares online called the Steampunk Trunk. Most of her pieces are priced at a reasonable $25 - $75 and are high on stylish detail. Lacy filigree meets vintage Swiss watch movement pieces with gilded insect motifs.

NY Fashion Week: Severe, Dark and Stormy at Chado Ralph Rucci

This Fall 2009 show by Chado Ralph Rucci seemed to have a strict, severe, dominatrix in mind. A woman who demonstrates she is boss by any means necessary, but still needs feminine, mainstream clothes for the day to day. This beautiful collection had very wearable clothes for civilians, but with some subtle edgy details. Leather straps braided into a web-like top to frame the body of a black widow. Asian gargoyles and statues printed on black sheer fabrics to tease the onlooker. Slashed soft fabrics to mimic a decaying iceberg that is breaking apart. The makeup was dramatic. Eyes were done in dark, heavy eyeliner for a smouldering effect. Hair was slicked or pulled back severely. Message here: Don't mess with Chado Ralph Rucci's divas.

NY Fashion Week: Black Satin and Leather at Cynthia Steffe

The Courtesan usually loves to follow her favorite edgy and dark chic designers every season here at Fashion Week in NYC. One designer who surprised me quite a bit this season, was Cynthia Steffe. I remember meeting Ms. Steffe back in her heyday, voted by People Magazine as one of the most beautiful people in the world. She was designing ladylike, refined collections for ladylike refined women. This collection however, showed some sharp, dramatic, hard rock and roll looks, with some seriously sexy outifts and soaring stiletto heels. Look for deep burgundy lipstick, tough expression, leather, satin, sheers, crushed velvet and lush peacock prints come Fall 2009. See more photos here.

The Art of Hunter Stabler

Remember when you were first handed a pair of scissors and a piece of paper in kindergarten? The sheer amount of possibilities... Paper dolls, snowflakes, valentines. Artist Hunter Stabler has taken this art to a whole new level with amazingly intricate, lacy sculptures like the one pictured above. This Master of Fine Arts graduate from the University of Philadelphia has been awarded several fellowships and residencies with prestigious artists organizations. See more of his work at his website, or view them in person at his many exhibitions.