Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes … We’re Evolving!
Welcome back! While it may not be obvious to all you wonderful readers, some significant changes have taken place “behind the scenes” here at Dusty Couture thanks to the benevolence of a fellow MO-Bro 
We’re EXTREMELY excited about the dawning of this new era for our dusty little fashion blog and want to thank YOU sincerely for having been such an integral part of our success so far! Without “you” there would be no “us”. Without this sacred duality, there’s no universe of possibilities to dream up.
We urge all of you reading this to fully step into and embrace your role as a participant on our blog. Leave a comment below; Subscribe to the new RSS feed by clicking the image to the right of these words; Email us and recommend some improvements you’d like to see or topics you’d like us to research; Tweet or Facebook us a link to a fashion designer you think deserves the spotlight. We are here to serve your fashion-info needs.
In addition to streamlining our site in order to 
provide the features that will best improve your experience, our current goals are to reach 300 Fans on our Facebook page and 100 Followers on Twitter. This is an easily reachable goal since we’re already at 287 Facebook Fans and 94 Twitter Followers 
Ok, back to some of the updates/improvements we’ve just made. Besides the new RSS feed (we sincerely apologize for not having this in place sooner) which automatically sends each new post to your email account, we’ve added a “Share” button-box to the very bottom of each post (please tell us what social media site buttons you want added). Also, we’re going back to tag all images so people with disabilities can appreciate our content. If you are or know someone who was turned off by our lack of blogging tech-savy, please tell them to try us again now that we’ve got a real IT!
A tremendous thank you to all the people on our staff (find their pictures below) who have contributed their writing, uploaded technological enhancements, or otherwise helped in any way. They do it for the same reason you’re here, to spread inspiration and further afflict your passions 
Dusty In Wonderland: Alice Couture Vol. 4
We’ve transcended the film, two dimensions can no longer satisfy our nonsensical sense-experience, we must have … TEA! And it’s a bottomless cup we’re filling with a looking glass full of flesh, thrills, & FUN!
By now you’ve gotten dressed up and seen the movie, maybe you’ve even seen it twice. So now what? Well, if you happen to be fortunate enough to find yourself in Reno this weekend, and you haven’t decided on an entertainment option for the evening, we can tell you exactly what you’d be most wise not to miss … Bohemian Burlesque’s presentation of Down The Rabbit Hole!
Even before the show starts, strange wonderland creatures are roaming the halls offering up fine eat-me treats while you choose a seat amidst the stylish interior of a club that seems to have been designed for such whimsically wondrous displays of sexuality. The stage lights come on and before you know it you’re deep down the most sensuously sinister rabbit hole one could ever hope to slip into …
In addition to striking displays of physical prowess and stimulation beyond what even a veteran burlesque show attendee might expect, the outfits are extravagantly fantastic. These pics are just a sampling of what you will be treated to. For you see, it’s not just the looks, it’s the solid acts that go along with them.
The ever re-appearing Cheshire Kat seems like she’s been training to play this role her entire life. The Mad MC has, in addition to the most elaborate outfit, a wit sharper than a hat pin. There’s a scrumptious platter full of surprises in a program that ranges from aerials to traditional feather fans to modern dance and beyond. Believe us when we say that it’s a program packed with delights that will progressively challenge you and all will make you ever so glad to have attended this most titillating tea party.
And even if you’re not going to be in Reno. Don’t worry, be happy knowing that we’re bringin’ freaky back for the lot of ya! Driiiink … Meeeeee … *Photos by Anna Wright and Peach
Top Five Fashion Accessories of 2009 Vol. 5
It’s not over yet! One of the burner underground’s newest sensations Jordan Miller of Red Dirt Fashion puts her radically unique style on display for our collective inspiration in this Top Five. Prepare to SQUEEEEE
Guest author and fellow Faux Fur Freedom Front Fighter Jordan Miller is the sole-proprietor of Red Dirt Fashions, one of the most radically re-inventive fashion labels we’ve had the pleasure to discover. Now, heeeeerrrre’s Jordan!
Bandannas… Sure, we only have the threat of finding ourselves in a dust storm about a week out of the year, but for that week, bandannas are an absolute must. Not only do they make you look much more fabulous, but they have functionality as well. And for those of us who maintain style notoriety the remaining 358 days a year, a bandanna can be an asset to any ensemble. Even though we do not wake up everyday with the fear of finding ourselves face first with an infamous playa white out, the rest of the year, a bandanna can double as a handkerchief, a napkin, or even a bib for those messy eaters—just remember to wash it regularly (with a fourth a cup of vinegar in the washer to keep colors their brightest)!
Arm Warmers… Anyone who does not wear faux fur for moral implications has felt the consequences from the cold desert night more than others. And even though there are bulky alternatives, for us fashionistas, enduring Mother Nature’s bite is the bitter but more fabulous alternative. My solution for this problem has always been to layer multiple arm warmers underneath my sweaters. This way, one still looks cute and petite in their sexy playa wear, and can endure the pain of below freezing temperatures in style.
Suspenders…. Have you ever found yourself waist deep in a pair of pants that were a size or two too big and could not find a belt anywhere? Burning Man 2009, the morning after we arrived, whilst sizing up my luggage, I realized that I left my only belt at home. A devastating blow for anyone who thinks the pants-below-your-ass look was overdone by the 90’s. However, fate was on my side because I still had my suspenders. Fabulous fashion functionality came to my rescue because, once again, I found the perfect blend of style and utility.
Hobo gloves… For someone who has poor circulation, I have always found that a major concern of mine while out and about is my core temperature. So, as mom always insists, gloves are a must for the winter climate. However, whilst embarking on adventures of the social manner, gloves do not fare well. Encompassed in a thick layer of fabric, while although warm, can become troublesome for fingers when someone has activities to partake upon. So, my solution has always been to cut the fingers off for a stylish and functional hobo glove. Although they are not quite as warm as their uncut cousin, they are way more reasonable since they do not entail constant removal anytime one is doing something that requires nimble fingers
Henry, my fake plastic turtle on wheels… He might not seem like an actually fashion accessory, but I can count the number of mornings that my outfit was completed with his cheerful smile as I drug him along behind me. He is perfect for those saucy mornings after a night full of partying when synapses are not firing rapidly, for he is a great conversation starter. And you can talk about a fake plastic turtle on wheels for a good amount of time with very little work from your cerebral cortex—a must have item for hangovers!
Jordan will soon be relocating to attend the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. Click the Follow Along links to the right to be kept up to date on her latest fashion revelations.
Dusty In Wonderland: Alice Couture Vol. 3
The costumed premier of Alice here in Reno was EPIC. We rolled in like a pack of wild Bandersnatches and proceeded to take over the theater as the paparazzi flashed away. Click here for a full gallery of pics.
Alice is one of the holy grails of imagination in much that same way that many consider Burning Man to be the creativity world championships. But, daunting though it may seem, we had to represent the couture of our conviction at the debut this last weekend!
The concept of Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass is deep. So deep that some Zen instructors use it as a teaching text for their students. How this tremendous contribution to the devolution of humandroid consciousness manifests visually and how that visual manifestation relates to our own dusty riffs on fashion is just a part of these blog posts celebrating the release of Mr. Burton’s Alice.
After indulging in just the right amount of Wonderland “Eat Me”s and “Drink Me”s we were finally absurd enough to carpool down to the theater that we had pre-purchased our tickets for and begin our journey down the rabbit hole. Security eyed us and the other patrons gawked while we proceeded to spout profundities and guffaw in a most frabjous manner.
The main characters of the film(s) were well represented by a beautiful Alice, several mad hattas, the most hilarious white rabbit we’ve yet had the privilege to see, and a march haya or two. A few of the more obscure characters were in attendance as well: Time (whom the Mad Hatter and
March Hare were involved in a dispute with) took the form of a
steampunky clock-adorned rabbit-eared vixen and, while slow to arrive, the Mock Turtle was definitely in attendance. The Lion of Looking Glass fame was also present and it is strongly suspected that his nemesis the Unicorn was lurking there as well, however, since only virgins can see unicorns it is difficult for us to confirm whether or not this is true (the Lion is not a virigin).
Everyone in our group seemed to thoroughly enjoy the film. We had some especially high expectations after reading both the books and being a part of the virtual machine that’s been hyping this film, but we experienced satisfaction through the nods to Carroll’s original even if we were not digging the stereotypical fantasy plot.
If you feel like you may have missed out on a good time, please, DON’T! It’s not too late to read the books, dress up with some friends, and attend the film. One member of our entourage mentioned that this has the potential to become something akin to the Rocky Horror Picture show. Don’t believe us? Try it for yourself and make sure to send us the pictures. We can’t be the only curiously costumed cats … I mean, we are all mad here aren’t we?
Dusty In Wonderland: Alice Couture Vol. 2
Still haven’t decided which character to dress up as? Don’t have time to read the books? Fret not! Our staff has some choice characters for you to portray that will surely wow the attendees of this week’s premier!
First, we highly recommend that you read the books. They are fast reads (as you might expect from a childrens’ book) and could likely be finished in 4 hours each. However, if you simply can’t be bothered with all that homework and you only have time to put together an outfit, here are some great lesser-known characters costume ideas complete with acting notes.
Man in white paper suit reading a newspaper. He’s on the looking glass train with Alice and as such subscribes to the process of doing things in reverse (ie ride the train before purchasing a ticket).
The White Knight is a great costume for an elderly or kind person. Whilst assisting Alice in an exceptionally chivalrous fashion he constantly talks of mildly useless things he’s invented (think Chindogu) and is very clumsy (consider some tumbling).
From the Wonderland book we have: Mouse, Duck, Dodo, Lory, Eaglet, Crab w/daughter, and several birds. All these animals fell into Alice’s pool of tears and are trying to dry off by playing race-like games that satirize civilized life or telling sad tales. Really you could come as just about any animal and claim to be with this group.
Flowers: Tiger-Lily, Rose, Daisies, Larkspur, Violet. A great group costume, these pretty ones address a subject en-mass judging the poor soul while intermittently chiding one another.
The various insects of the looking glass universe make for great ideas as well, especially since you can invent your own. The three mentioned are Rocking Horse Fly, Snap Dragon Fly, and Bread & Butter Fly. Come up with your own pun-ny bug to fit your costumery’s constraints. Perhaps make a few and mount them on springy things so they flutter about you or rest on your shoulder.
The Duchess and her Cook are also fun characters. The Cook is ill-tempered, throws things, and reeks of black pepper which causes everyone to sneeze. The Duchess is well-dressed, likes to cozy up with an arm around someone and does more than just agree with everything anyone says by extrapolating on the point in a very make it up as you go along way that ends up with some lame moral.
Finally, if you want to be one of the popular characters but still want it to seem original you can combine costumes by being Gonzo as the Mad Hatter or Brooke Shields as Alice. See pictures below.
These ideas should get you at least headed in the right direction. We want to hear about your experiences at the premier. Email us with your words and pictures 
