Comic-Con Style: Cosplay, Superheroes and Celebs

San Diego Comic-Con! Unless you live under a rock, you know that this annual fest is the mecca for all comic book fans, sci-fi fans, horror movie fans and fans of all cool pop culture in general. What started as a geekfest has now turned into the destination for the most anticipated previews of your favorite entertainment.

Outside of the official schedule though, the most entertaining thing (at least for a style blogger like myself) is the fashion and costumes of attendees.
Fans create the best outfits for themselves, with attention to detail that only comes from true passion.

Female celebrities often sway between super-sexy for the male fans (Angelina Jolie for Salt) or down-to-earth Geek Love, showing solidarity with their own favorite characters, (Michelle Rodriguez in attendance for Battle: Los Angeles).

Photos courtesy from Superhero Hype, Rotten Tomatoes,Comingsoon.net

Memento Mori Art Show at the Pop Gallery, Sante Fe NM

Artists Brandon Maldonado, Marie Sena and Daniel Martin Diaz have collaborated on a gorgeous new art show in Sante Fe, New Mexico. The exhibit is called Memento Mori: Remember You Must Die.

Brandon Maldonado's work has a beautiful illustrative quality to it, taking inspirations from religion, his own culture, Dia de los Muertos and pop culture. Marie Sena draws from her background in medical illustration and tattoo art to produce her myth-like pieces. Daniel Martin Diaz explores the effects of how religion and death have affected his family. Through his art, he examines the complexities of the human spirit.

The artists reception and official show opening is Saturday, July 24, 2010. If you are in New Mexico, head on over to the Pop Gallery at 133 West Water Street.

For more information, e-mail artinfo@popsantafe.com

Givenchy's Delicate Fall 2010 Anatomy Lesson

Riccardo Tisci's Fall Couture show in Paris earlier this month was an exercise of art and passion. The intricately embroidered pieces took their muse of artist Frida Kahlo, bones and the Mexican holiday of Day of the Dead.

It was a small collection of only ten looks, but the stuffy fashion press couldn't stop gushing... The International Herald Tribune, "Frida Kahlo and Mexico’s Day of the Dead — hit a chord of memento mori.” The Daily Front Row called it “Nothing short of spectacular.”

The feminine transparent pieces mixed delicate Chantilly lace and ostrich feathers. Upon closer inspection, the hand-embroidered motifs were revealed to be skulls of exquisite elegance.

Photos courtesy of Givenchy

Rodarte's Ancient Skull-Inspired Museum Project

Wickedly dark fashion designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy joined other creatives in a project for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The ladies of Rodarte took their inspiration from the museum's turquoise encrusted Mexican skull in their series of fashion sketches for the Cell Phone Stories project.

Participants like actor Rainn Wilson and artist Kianga Ford, people have contributed their voices, texts and images for art-seekers to take on a journey through the museum highlighting and reinterpreting the experience in unexpected ways.

Want to get in on the action? Text "LACMA" to 67553 to receive weekly text messages that will direct you to the various pieces of the project.

Southern Gothic Festival - New Orleans

It's a hot, hot summer... What would it take to draw your pale, porcelain complexion into the sun? The Southern Gothic Festival is a celebration of Gothic and Industrial culture. It's a city where there are no curfews, so you can walk around with a drink in your hand as you rock out to your favorite band. Looking for something darker? It's one of the few places in the U.S. where you might find some authentic voodoo..

July 16th and 17th, New Orleans, LA.

Gothic Festival Belgium

Want to get dark and dirty with Skinny Puppy, Alien Sex Fiend and Skeletal Family? Head over to Belgium for the Gothic Festival. It is virtually guaranteed to have a wild and scary time. The band lineup is extensive, the talent plentiful.

If you need some retail therapy in between, you can peruse the goods of the Gothic market. On offer will be everything from unique jewelery, fetish wear to rare albums.

photo by Janicks

Men's Fashion Paris - Rick Owens Spring 2011

Rick Owens jarred the weary fashion crowd awake by blasting a techno soundtrack at the start of his show. The thumping beat was a high contrast to the "monastic" theme of his recent menswear show. The runway was a bleak grey while smoke swirled around the models heads. The clothing did have a long and monastic silhouette for the most part. Edgy details like asymmetrical straps and zippers were seen a few times. Patent leather boots gave a fetish-like edge to the presentation.