Handmade


Edwardian Ball SF 2011 Part 2: The Bazaar

We may have been a bit short on Echoes, but that didn’t stop us from shopping our hearts out at the Edwardian Ball’s grand bazaar. The ‘neath of the Regency Ballroom was nearly overflowing with dark delights …
Vest and Tie By the 5 & Diamond Collective
We attended the bazaar the afternoon prior to our first ball which allowed it to be a fine preview of the evening ahead.  Over 6000 square feet of hand-manifested brilliance insured that there was something worth coveting in whichever direction you might look.

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.Loom woven copper wire gown.

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.

Head Sizing at the Charming Hatters' stall

Killbuck’s Kostoom Art, Beyond The Buck

Iron top hats, futuristic dinosaur masks, militant Santa jackets, and an artistry tempered by the fires of over a decade in BRC.  Come with us as we sample the twisted fruits of an original Playa-costume frontiersman.
Killbuck Kostoom Gas Mask Steampunk
You’ve seen his work before on the playa.   His conceptual drawings and inspirational personae have given form to several of Mr. Jellyfish’s art projects including Mantis.  He is a co-creator of Camp Apokiliptika, a regular at the Booby Bar, and now his unique artwork can be yours to wear.

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.

KostoomArts.Com

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!

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 SQUEEEEEBeautiful young woman (the guest author) in a blushing type pose wearing a very colorful bandana and pink hat.

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)!

Two young ladies all decked out for a phat party.  One is wearing a custom DIY hoodie and arm warmers.

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.

Montage of pics showing pink fingerless gloves, green-yellow-purple striped suspenders, and Henry the fake plastic turtle on a leash.

Top Five Fashion Accessories of 2009 Vol. 3

Are you ready for our THIRD installment of the top five fashion accessories of 2009?  We’re back with those extra special accoutrements that made one individual’s wardrobe come alive this past year.

A woman wearing brown lacey leggings and very furry brown boot's legs point skyward, leg in foreground is bent at the knee.

Please welcome Miko, our guest author for this post on her favorite fashion accessories of 2009.  We personally witnessed Miko’s year-long initiation into the “costume cult” and are all impressed by her unique, playful style which emphasizes sexiness, comfort, and mobility among other things.

1. Brown Lacey Leggings-These footless leggings were a holiday gift, but quickly made it onto the all-star accessory list. Great for all your brown outfits, excellent when you get tired of wearing fishnets, and superb with the perfect booty shorts and item number two on my list, the Shag boots.

2. Sanuk Shag Boots-Termed “not-boots” due to their uber comfortable, sandal footbed, this footwear excels both indoors and out. The only disadvantage is when shoe removal becomes a necessity in wintertime and you find you prefer these beastly boots to your house slippers.

A mostly nude female with one foot up on a stool has her back turned to show off tan fur trim boots, colorfully striped skater socks, and an upcycled white and black bustle.

3. Demonia Platform Boots-Funky enough for every costume, comfortable enough to trek from the deep playa to center camp and beyond! These boots were a major footwear staple for me in 2009. I commonly paired these with leggings, stockings, or most commonly as seen here in this photo, with skater socks.

4. Bustle-Whether you’re circus bound or ready for tea, what better accessory than the bustle. My homemade version incorporated two unworn items: a petticoat and a white skirt. I pleated the white skirt to highlight the button accents, and then attached both to a belt for easy removal, if needed. New for 2010 will be additional ruffling with a multi-layered, black, satin and lace skirt.

5. Feather Earrings-Great for those of us who just can’t have striped or colored hair extensions all the time. Feathers can be matched to individual hair length and coloring, or made extremely long and bold to really stand out and demand attention. If they get wet, feathers can be straightened on a low heat setting with a basic hair straightener or steamed. Make friends with the manager of the fly fishing department at your local sportsman’s emporium to find the most extravagant feather supplies.

Awesome post Miko!  We look forward to seeing what you adorn your beautiful self with in 2010 …

Upper torso and head shot of a smiling half Asian young lady wearing irridescent purpley-blue sunglasses, earrings that are a small bundle of long white feathers with black stripes and another earring that is brown feathers with black stripes.  She also wears two necklaces, one a blueish-white moonstone wrapped in fine black cord and a symbol consisting of four thick copper wire circles.

Top Five Fashion Accessories of 2009 Vol. 1

We all have our favorite bits of couture.  Unique costume pieces that we can count on if we want to guarantee a compliment or two.  Here’s one fashionista’s top five favorite fashion accessories of 2009.Handsome man looks at you with his black arm warmered arms up, reaching for his giant brass grometted black top hat.  He wears a black and green fishnet shirt under a green and black striped velvet vest.  Purple & lime green feather-falls and a tubular crinoline adorned black bow-tie complete the look.

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 anMan with crazy macrame' necklace of many hanging souveniers stares at you crazily with one eye covered by a headdress made up of many copper and blakc strips.  A high-collared brown vest open down the middle complements his tan skin and constrasts with the pixelated blue sky behind his shamanic visage. 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 :)

Olive drab gaiters cover the tops of a pair of black combat boots, the multiple=