Equally admirable to the scintillating hats, masks, gloves, spats, shoes, boots, coats, myriad curios, baubles, bustles, corsets, and ingenious ensembles for sale were the engaging merchants peddling their wares in costume and in character.  Many of them seemed exceptionally pleased just to be basking in the radiance of  adoring consumers’ praise of their creations and it was a sincere pleasure to converse with thems what create these wonders.

While there was a small historical (read: steampunk) contingent shopping the bazaar, I would say the majority of it’s merchants and denizens were decidedly burners, and stylish ones at that.  It’s doubtable that another group could run the Edwardian fashion-plate into the punk’d end-zone and score such a radical mutation of the paradigm.

One work in particular that quite fascinated us was this gown (see photo at right) made of woven copper wire that had been patina’d to various corroded shades of green.  In our opinion, fashion art such as this is worthy of the museum and the fact that it along with a number of other pieces incorporating this woven wire in various visually striking ways indicates the near transcendental level of artistry that could be purchased for a competitive price at this bazaar.

There was a fantastic vibe which permeated the bazaar.  Smiles could be seen and laughter heard throughout the large open rooms.  The charming and animated hatter though, was perhaps our favorite interaction at the bazaar.  In addition to having on a delightful outfit, she educated us in the proper use of her many springed head sizing device as well as said device’s phrenological applications!  The device (pictured below on my companion’s head) allows a plot of one’s brow line to be punched into an index card via pins located atop the device.

Want to see more of what the bazaar had to offer?  Visit this gallery at our Facebook page.  In the next article, we’ll be talking about the outfits we made for this year’s ball.

In this exciting episode, “Kernul” Killbuck leads his forces to yet another victory in his campaign against your sense of reality. This time he’s once again marauding along the costuming front by enticing all of us with his beautiful custom couture creations (a few of which are pictured here).  With a battle plan of brilliant design, excellent execution, and a willingness to customize to your exact specifications it looks like his victory is assured.

We’ve been amazed with Killbuck’s artistry on innovative Burning Man art projects for a number of years now.  His ability to simulate patina, texture, blaster marks, or just about any other finish on lightweight, mold-able materials is beyond compare outside of Hollywood special effects. Perhaps this is because he grew up in a theater family building sets and designing wardrobes with his father.

Most impressive though is how startlingly original the things his strange mind comes up with are.  He’s a creative genius operating with all the ease of someone who was born to generate in-your-face freakiness.

Offered for sale on his new site are stunningly adorned hats, masks, coats, epaulettes, goggles, spats, and utility belts.  Examples of each are pictured in excellent detail and there’s also a gallery showcasing a number of his other works at the very bottom.  Click here to get there and see for yourself what happens when an already deviant man inhales a bit too much playa dust and starts using his powers for DOOM!

El Top Hat Gigante’ was THE crowd-pleasingest item of 2009.  By sewing a full sheet of thick black construction paper to an already popular gold-grommet accented felt hat, a new scale of cranial accessorizing was unleashed on the party populous.  From parades to stages to fire art installations, this prop eclipsed all that came near with it’s sheer ridiculousity.

Adding a touch of couture class was the tubular crinoline adorned bow-tie (which can be seen in the same picture).  A basic black strap-on bow-tie augmented by two 10″ lengths of black tubular crin w/iridescent green accent threads spiraling around.  It added squiggliness, color, and interactivity to any outfit.

While more utilitarian in application, the black leg warmers with brass snaps used as arm warmers are a tremendously fashionable way to increase the warmth of whatever funky ensemble fails to cover the hands, forearms, and elbows adequately.  Since the arrival of an exceptionally cold winter season, these have been in heavy rotation complementing all manner of get-ups.  The great antique color of the snaps and longitudinal ribbing create a splendid if subtle effect and they can even handle a bit of open flame which is a huge plus!

A handmade birthday gift from a friend is always wonderful.  One that has been made so over the top that you are the only one who can rock it is transcendentally awesome.  Such is the case with this macrame’ “necklace” that rapidly became a 2009 Burning Man Schwag-Rig.  Somehow, everything fits on it … in a tangled bank sort of way.  And it does have everything.  The key to home, a Pi-Stone, popcorn, even a glass bauble with a magic mushroom in it among other assorted bits of gifted love.

Finally, we have the accessory that can turn any pair of boots into epic couture footwear while simultaneously bridging the gap created by too short pant legs (see pic at bottom of post).  They’re a little bit steampunk, a lot of post-apocalyptic militaria, and all sorts of vintage hotness.  These East German Gaiters from the 1950s have had their leather bits antiqued/distressed and a few metal accents have been added to create a potent effect.  We were lucky to find the brass medallions on a vintage coin type belt.  All they need now is a healthy dusting of Playa!

We’re already salivating over all the goodies we have in the works for 2010.  It will be interesting to see where they stand by the end of the year!  What pieces are you getting excited about?

Participate! This is Vol. 1 and if you’d like to see a Vol. 2, please email us with pictures and words honoring your favorite accessories from this last year so we can put them into a blog post!  Our Email address is to the right under the follow along links

“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

But it seems some of the world’s other top designers are taking their inspiration from playa-riffic sources as well!  Scope these snapshots from the recent fashion weeks in London, Paris, and New York.

Christophe Decarnin of the Balmain label designed the fashions shown on the left and right of these words.  They are dubbed “military” by the default fashion world but seem to be more a very sexy take on Steampunk mixed with a little post-apocalyptic desert organica.  It’s easy to imagine a Black Rock Citizen rocking either of these on Playa.  Some playa dust might get these models smiling too!

Of course we’re not  implying that these fashion designers are “stealing” designs from off the playa.  That wouldn’t be nearly so thrilling as the truth of it: that there are beautiful similarities emerging between what is considered avant-garde at the heights of default world fashion and what has always constituted beauty in our own dusty couture community.

There is a paradigm shift occurring and the particulars of who did what or took  inspiration from whom are losing significance, giving way to the beauty of synergistic and spontaneous combustions of human creativity without judgment or the need for credit.  That’s what this site is all about!  Sharing ONLY the intention to inspire and provide helpful tools that will assist you in manifesting the fashion experience you choose to create for yourself and others with no judgment or concept of authority.

The fact that we arrived at the idea for this blog just days before this story broke is a great example of the metaphysical mechanics at play.  A nod in our direction from the global fashion industry verifies that we are not alone in feeling this shift.  Stay with us and share in the creation of a fashionably new paradigm by clicking on the Subscribe links to the right.