Fire Performer Costumes: An Introduction
Swirling flames around your body always gets the energetic vibrations humming and when you’ve got the right duds on, your fire-groove becomes an even more radical spectacle. But what to wear?
Welcome to the first installment in our ongoing series of posts focusing on the costumes of fire performers. Fire performance in its modern form is a significant gift that has been exported from our burning community to be shared with the default world via a growing number of talented performing artists.
What these artists choose to adorn themselves with while performing must often be both radically stylish and highly functional. Over the course of our series we will explore the following sub-topics:
Fire Safety vs. Style – Both the safety trade-offs when considering materials/patterns as well as the general idea of being safe vs. being fashionable.
Head Gear – The ramifications of various types of head coverings including masks, hats, and goggles.
Tool Specific Gear – How certain tools pair well with certain outfits and accessories also what things don’t go together …
Flaming Couture – Wick’d props that are worn as part of the costume! Wings, Antlers, and more!
Popular Looks – Tribal, Sexy & Mysterious, Fiery, Circusy, Playful, Bare Skin, etc …
Fire Specific Fashion Designers – Who is producing, supplying, and designing for today’s fire performers. Included under this topic will be fire performers who are also fashion designers.
In addition to the above topics we will also have guest writers authoring posts on their areas of expertise, video blogs showcasing some of the world’s top fire performers in action, Glow-specific fashions, interviews with performers and designers, and much, much more!
Join with us in embracing this opportunity to explore the world of flame-centric fashion by clicking the subscribe links to the right. By doing so you are guaranteeing that we will notify you whenever we publish a new post pertaining to this topic.
Santarchy and the World’s Most Prolific Theme
Is the Christmas holiday more than just a theme? To some it is all that’s sacred but to a growing number of revelers it is something of a conceptual jungle gym to riff on, subvert, and have fun playing with.
This latter group includes the Santarchists, or “Santa Crawlistas” as they are known around these parts. SantaCon events occur in multiple locations around the world during the month of December as individuals subvert the aesthetic of the world’s most popular themed occasion with copious amounts of egg-nog and a Claus sized helping of St. Nick naughtiness.
We were on the scene for this year’s exceptionally snowy and well attended crawl (Reno apparently has one of the largest) where we witnessed the full spectrum of holiday themed costumes. While the “sexy Mrs. Claus” costume handily maintained its perennial dynasty, as evidenced by the 2nd annual Sexy Santa Competition, a 1st annual Most Creative Christmas Costume Contest also paid homage to the many reindeer, toy soldiers, snowflakes, wrapped presents, ice fairies, pajama’d children, hybrids/mutants, candy canes, Noelian steampunks, Christmas pirates, and of course, the ninjas (among numerous other original holiday costume ideas).
Whatever the costume might be, the feeling behind it is the same: Let’s take a break from the holiday related stress of shopping, family, traffic, etc., and have some good-ol-timey burnerly fun with this Xmas beast! That the costumes express such a level of creativity, innovation, and liberated viewpoints regarding the “reason for the season” are a testament to our community’s brilliant willingness to shift the sometimes oppressive holiday paradigm towards something more … scandalous.
An epic snow/ice-ball fight marked this year’s Reno crawl as one for the history books (see great videos here and here). There is no denying the holiday counter-magic created by legions of wassailers dressed in red fuzzy outfits having their run of the town. It’s an effect that is remarkably similar to the inspiring feelings of rampant freedom present in our home away from home. When thousands of people dress in costume, the mind becomes overwhelmed and disbelief gets suspended. Suddenly a host of ridonkulous new possibilities enter the field of play and the next thing you know, you’re right where you need to be with exactly the freaks you were meant to be with doing the things that dreams of sugar plums dancing with freaky ice fairies are made of …
The Socks of Your Dreams
How much do you know about stockings? Long a seductive source of mystery, hosiery is a sexy and daring adventure in accessorizing. Fortunately, we are not entirely without guidance …
SockDreams.Com is our tout leading us into the fantastic realm of limb coverings. Once there, it evolves into a learning tool, educating us on the finer points of hosiery style.
It can be challenging to realize how many entries there are in the glossary of terms to categorize stocking types. Anklets and Half-Socks, Mid-Calf or Trouser Socks, O.T.K.s vs. Thigh-Highs!? It gets wonderfully overwhelming in short order.
Ohhhh and we haven’t even touched non-podiatric accessories yet. There are important distinctions to keep in mind between garters and garter-belts, leg warmers vs. leggings, gloves and wrist and arm warmers … And don’t you dare get me going on the tutu/petticoat debate! (Just kidding, we’ll definitely be blogging about that.)
*Sigh* While it’s fun to BE in a place of newness & uncertainty, graduating with some degree of understanding after an hour or two of shopping beautiful, consciously designed and displayed products is mahvelous, not to mention a real accomplishment!
Especially enjoyable are the hand-written and well thought out descriptions of each wonderful creation carried. It quickly becomes apparent that these Sock-Dreamers don’t just love socks, they love each and every item they carry based upon the item’s unique merits.
It’s a brilliant design/supply paradigm! The designers consciously fashion and produce well thought out products. Then, the supplier is able to sift through the flood of products with an educated and creative filter procuring only those that rise above the status-quo. Finally, completing the pyramid, the supplier goes a step further by sharing their knowledge with their customers product by product during the shopping experience. Bravo!
Speaking of sharing knowledge, make sure to check out the Sock Journal aka the Sock Dreams Blog regularly as it is frequently updated with style tips, deep socky thoughts, event notifications, and of course new product alerts. And speaking of checking back regularly, make sure to click the Subscribe links to the right so you can be updated whenever we post something new too!
AYYA Avatar Liberating Wear
What is fashion capable of? Can what you wear manifest the surfacing of something deep within you? Or enshroud a vision that unveils a new path? Whatever the possibilities are, AYYA is expanding them.
“These are the Wild Times … “
Born of a continually evolving collective mission to create a life worth living from the disintegrating raw materials of the dominant paradigm, AYYA is one living example of community in action. Magnetized by the festival cultures of the NorthWest, they have been working together for many years, across many continents, creating clothing, performance, environments, and events all on a mission to evolve culture.
“We must be able to make our home in the mystery.”
AYYA regards each article of clothing as a container for a unique story that can only unfold when someone puts it on, and begins to create their own adventure. One of the ways they choose to act out this philosophy is by allowing for a significant level of customization when ordering. If you want to get an idea for just how much you are encouraged to customize your order, take a look at the color combo options for their Spiral Tabi Boots. The clothing of AYYA is created with the pure intention that each garment provides a portal for its wearer to enter into a magical narrative of their own creation.
“… the choice to step into our gear is also a commitment to a life of humble power and integrated offering.”
AYYA doesn’t adhere to any one organization’s trade regulations, they sense their own truth. Their Eco Policy and utilization of Possum Fur are both controversial and a good example of what makes them a conscious company that you can trust. Their production is based in Bali, where they are exploring how to transcend “fair trade” by creating scholarships for children to attend college, collaborating on health and wellness programs, participating in ceremony together, and learning from one another. They have a commitment to continually researching and developing a truly sustainable, eco, thriving business/apocalyptic survival strategy.
“And yes, we’re gonna need something to wear.”
NOW is the time to order from them. Their website has just been updated AND their holiday coupon code is in effect! See their front page for details. *Co-Authored by AYYA
Playa FATshion: Luscious Ladies
Last weekend a group of large and in charge fashionistas hosted a rawkus celebration of couture designed with the plump woman in mind. Sexxxy got brought by the babes with the most back to the delight of all.
The Lucsious Ladies of the Fat Girls fashion show took back control of the runway and in doing so manifested the re-envisioning of everything a sensual woman can be. These incredible feme-fatales walked the room in an array of off-the-rack and custom sewn creations, that highlighted the reality of their beauty, power, and energy.
Lauren Mari Hufft Gifford of Prism Magic and Meredith Tanzer of La Bussola brought together a tremendous stable of talent for a revolutionary show that incorporated Burlesque, Lounge Singing, Belly Dancing, and Body Painting performances in addition to epic fashion. An especially notable highlight was the most over-the-top, steamiest, sinful cupcake eating performance we can imagine!
There was a deep sense of knowing surrounding the paradigm shift our community was manifesting that night. Amidst the laughter and wild cheering we all seemed to know that this happening was bringing a much needed counter-balance to the over-sold and brutal “ideal” image of the female form that western culture is currently plagued by. With their own sexual energy and clothing our voluptuous vixens shed the omnipresent awareness of the body a woman is “supposed” to have and transcended all comparisons while giving the finger to any who would scheme to alienate them from their own bodies.
We citizens of Black Rock City are familiar with the conscious act of taking control of our image. Burning man has always been a deliciously deconstructed platform to reform how we see ourselves. Radical self expression is a common description of what we are up to out on the playa but perhaps Larry Harvey said it best in the 2000 SUMMER NEWSLETTER Burning Man Journal ” … participants commune with themselves, … regard their own reality, that essential inner portion of experience that makes them feel real, as if it were a vision. I like to say that visions aren’t defined by light which falls upon them, but that they shine forth with their own light – they radiate outward, they illumine the world, they redefine reality.”
Special thanks to our co-author for this piece Mairin Kareli, Artist and Owner of Kareli Kairos www.karelikairos.com
Mairin’s unique insights can be attributed to her background as an extremely intelligent luscious lady, visual artist, business owner, and fashion designer, as well as multiple other pursuits she is engaged in many of which she excels at beautifully.
The Power of MO
One of the hottest new facial fashion accessories to emerge during the last century is the prosthetic mustache or “MO”. But it’s more than just a fashion statement, MOs can save male genitalia too …
During the month of MOvember, the City of ReMO team was “Changing the face of mens’ health” by growing MOs to raise everyones awareness of mens’ health issues especially prostate and testicular cancer. To celebrate their smashingly successful campaign, the team hosted a ‘Stache Bash.
There was only one rule at the bash: no entrance without a MO which applied to the ladies as well. Fortunately, these were some daring and creative gals who had no reservations about rocking a seriously silly upper lip (or forehead or breast or …).
New and fertile ground was broken that evening as MOs made from tubular crinoline, herbs, feathers, and a variety of other materials made their debut. It was amazing to see women wearing “normal” prosthetic mustaches becoming common-place in the presence of some haute mustachio’d couture.
Our experience at the bash made at least one thing clear: Woman + MO = Pure Genius. It’s an absolutely hillarious, simple, and ridiculous fashion statement that is so versatile it can be paired with just about anything. It’s the perfect way to let everyone you meet know that you aren’t too serious … though you might still be looked at as too cool.
If you’re not feeling up to the challenge of designing and manufacturing your own MO, there are a number of places to purchase them in a variety of styles. NifNaks has a brilliant line of traditional prosthetic “Moustachios” made from wool. In a pinch, simple fake mustaches can be scored at any novelty store.
If you don’t like the idea of sticking things on your face due to sensitive skin or a variety of other reasons, there are a few alternative methods to accomplish a similarly MO-tastic effect. Two of the better alternatives we noticed at the party were MO-on-a-stick and MO-rings both of which can be used to temporarily simulate the presence of a MO.
We look forward to seeing this lesser-known fashion accessory more frequently in and around our community’s celebrations. Finally, if you’re proud of your MO and have a picture you’d like to share, please email it to us!
Trash-O-Lution The Junk To Funk 2009 Follow Up
The much anticipated 2009 Junk To Funk fashion extravaganza proved that Trashion still has a myriad of new realms to explore. Elysium Events and SCRAP once again set the stage for groundbreaking styles.
New categories, challenges to returning designers, a new venue and heightened public awareness produced an evolved event with ensembles that redefined the creative constraints of conscious clothing reconstructionistas. Those who attended this fourth annual fashion design contest described the atmosphere as “electrifying”.
The most popular upcycled materials at this year’s show were coffee filters (remember, this is Portland) and bike parts (remember, this is Portland). The winner of the show was “Chastity Blinds” by Jen Lamastra, a spanish armor/alice in wonderland-esque piece made out of mini blinds, sewn with bike tire tubes all topped by a bike tire tube wig all of which is pictured to the left.
A pair of animal hoof shoes constructed from the industrial waste of a meat-packing facility also garnered significant interest. Another crowd favorite was the elegant and very burnerly Trash-Fence Gown pictured at the bottom of this post.
Jaysun Spieth & Jos Smith (The Photographers), Darcie Radke (Truth in Light Photography), and Aisha Harley (Aisha Harley Photography) did an amazing job photographing the abundant magic overflowing every square inch of the Crystal Ballroom that night. Many thanks to all of them for the spectacular slideshow which beautifully showcases this thrilling night.
While there were significant financial incentives, the real rewards were a sensational show and a mass expansion of consciousness in terms of the creative fun we can have with recycling not the thousands of dollars in prizes. The new format, twenty nine fashion designer entrants, and near capacity attendance are just a few of the factors indicating that the 5th annual Junk To Funk show will be worth planning your 2010 November around.
