Brothers Grim Fashion Editorial by Matthew Brooks

Hello Darlings! I apologize for the sporadic posts of late. The Courtesan here has been busy at NY Fashion Week to peruse the lovely styles of the glitterati. Of course, most of the clothing on the runways are directed at the ladies.

Dapper gentleman are often unfairly overlooked. That is such a shame... Fall 2009 offers a stylish man plenty of dark, delicious wardrobe options. In this week's NY Times Men's fashion supplement, photographer Matthew Brooks produced a gorgeous editorial called "The Brothers Grim".

Look for a moody photo spread saturated in dramatic black and white. Salivate over luxurious capes by Givenchy, fur jackets by Ann Demeulemeester, a crocodile jacket by Louis Vuitton and plenty of goodies by Alexander McQueen. Click here to browse the entire magazine online.

Prada, Little Red Riding Hood and Fashion's Night Out

Thursday marked Anna Wintour's (Vogue Editor) stylish economic stimulus project, Fashion's Night Out. It was an evening where designers and boutiques all over NYC (as well as LA, Chicago, and multiple cities around the world) held shopping events, celebrity appearances and cocktail parties with entertainment to get the fashionable to open their wallets.

While I sipped the pearl garnished cocktails at Henri Bendel, and had my nails embellished with jewels, I did manage to enjoy some dark style...

M.A.C. cosmetics promoted Goth looks with a smoky, black palette. Their artists styled all the ladies who visited the boutique for a transformation.

My favorite and unexpected fall fashion showing, was the Prada 5th avenue boutique. Their windows and interior displays had their male mannequins dressed as sexy wolves, the female mannequins wearing luscious red outfits. (My favorite was the crimson red velvet burnout dress). This was all a 3D recreation of this month's Vogue fashion spread of the same theme.

It all seemed to be a tribute Neil Jordan's cult favorite, and erotically charged "The Company of Wolves" movie from 1984.

Missed that one? Don't worry, Leonard DiCaprio and "Twilight" director Catherine Hardwicke have announced they are working together to put out a Gothic version of the fairy tale.

Correspondence for the Wicked....

Has the art of penmanship, elegant notes and letter writing truly been lost? Have the generic A2 sized sheets and copiers ruined the lovely tradition of beautiful correspondence? I pray not. With well chosen papers, notecards and stationery. Any passionate lover can make a long distance amour quiver with well chosen words.
The Somber Stationery set has an elegant winter branch print, decorative lace taping, blood red doilies from Strata store.

Tell them they have a 'power' over you with this tongue-in-cheek (not literally I hope) voodoo doll set.

Would you like to seal and lock your prose? Laser cut "insane asylum" keys that you can use to adorn your vellum envelopes.

NYC: Raines Law Room...Secretive Steampunk Libations

Does anyone miss the speakeasies of yore? In NYC, there certainly has been no shortage of the pseudo-prohibition bars. Raine's Law Room on the other hand, doesn't claim to be a secret pub, but aims to be a civilized cocktail party. Raine's Law, is a reference to the 1896 New York legislation that imposed prohibitively high taxes on the sale of liquor, but provided loopholes for hotels. As a result, many saloons now became 'hotels' with very short stays.

It has a discreet door-buzzer at the lower entrance of an apartment building. Once a smartly dressed gentleman (think vests and sleeve garters! opens the door and leads you into the parlor or back room bar, you can settle comfortably into a brown velvet couch of an organza draped booth or peruse the antique books in the lab-like bar.

The libations are inspired. Try the "Smoke and Mirrors". This one is a combination of 15 year old Scotch, Apricot brandy, Amaro, bitters and a twist of grapefruit. The "Spyglass" is a heady mix of rum, Fee's Orgeat, Cherry Bitters, Champagne and brandied cherry. When you have made your decision, one can summon the server by pulling the chain from the wall.

Etched glass bowls hold seasoned popcorn, the cocktails are created from herbs and fruits from their garden. If you look closely at the Victorian wallpapers of the commode and parlors, you will notice the flowery images are really cavorting naked bodies.

Gothic Couture - Kambriel Made to Order

There are plenty of mainstream designers like Jean Paul Gaultier, Gareth Pugh and Alexander McQueen who catch press when they send a vampy collection down the runway. However, few designers of Gothic fashion have what it takes to make a name and respectable reputation on the genre alone.

Kambriel on the other hand, has been a featured designer at the FIT Museum, chosen as Gothic Beauty Magazine's designer of the year, and hired to create outfits for celebrities like Margaret Cho, the Dresden Dolls and Amanda Palmer. Each piece is exquisitely tailored and inspired by historic and cultural influences like Edward Gorey. Mistresses and gentlemen will find deliciously detailed garments ranging from vests to kimonos, gowns to frock coats. Many are one of a kind, and you will have a wonderful time exploring all the scrumptious photos on her website.

Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant

Disappointed by this summer's movies? At least we have this fall season to look forward to. Opening on October 23, Paul Weitz's Cirque Du Freak: the Vampire's Assistant is a delightfully dark and kooky film based on the first three books of The Saga of Darren Shan. John C. Reilly plays a vampire, who mentors the young Darren, whom he turns into a half vampire as well. Look for Salma Hayek as a sexy Bearded Lady. Willem Dafoe can be found in his third turn playing a blooduscker, Ken Watanabe as the barker Mr. Tall and Jane Krakowski as Cormac Limbs.

Need a juicier taste? Check out the trailer here.

Lady Gaga Does Goth

This month's Out Magazine features a perfectly fabulous photo spread of pop star Lady Gaga. Hailed as one of the freshest fashion and gay icons of today, the "Lady is a Vamp" edition is photographed by one of my favorite photographers, Ellen Von Unwerth.

Look for images of the superstar in a sexy fetish outfits, canoodling with a skeleton, lounging in a coffin... Photos not posted here include a fashionable mummy pose and a pic where she looks like she just had a tryst with a vampire. Click here to see the rest...