Friday, 26 July 2013

Titania Phase 1


I’m in the mood for something regal, majestic...say the Queen of the Fairies herself? In Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, Titania is impulsive, passionate in her mood swings, and slightly volatile. The name Titania itself invokes a sense of danger from the uncertain; not at all like the glitzy ditzy dames we picture when imagining Fae monarchs as kids.
A little background; this is not the first time I’ve designed a look for this character, but I’m maintaining some of my initial concepts. The first Titania I created was half woman, half deer. Mainly, I’ve tried to stir clear of presenting Fairies as wispy beings of light. I believe they’re more grounded (literally, with non-functional wings), and very in tune with their surroundings. Take the fairies from the film Pan’s Labyrinth, in disguise as insects and  all around us though we fail to notice them.
And speaking of insects, that was my first vision I had for this Titania. Butterflies are regarded as the most visually beautiful of all insects, coming in vibrant colors that allure and fascinate. I’m especially drawn to blue butterflies, loving that deep indigo wing decorated in tints of black, so that design is the core of this costume.


My mood board for this project consists of a color palette of corals, browns and oranges. Some inspiration came from things such as the cover art for the novel Splintered, or different insect wing shapes. I’m thinking of creating some sort of tiara for Titania from antennae, and for the wings, I was inspired by Storm’s cape from the anime version of X-Men, something that coils and folds around the shoulders, more demure for someone of Titania’a rank. I want her to seem delicate and seductive, but with an air of intangibility, like she could suddenly become fierce and unpredictable in the blink of an eye-or in this case, the flutter of a wing.


Saturday, 20 July 2013

Tinkerbelle and Lilac Fairy Photo Shoots


What better way to spend a hot afternoon in the summer than doing a fairy photo shoot? Ok, so maybe there are some things you can think of, but I still had a great time doing my first on site (aka my back garden) shoot for my Fairies collection. Prepping Rosalind and Jaime for the shoot had an interesting twist-I put them in those dresses at first just to test the size, and wasn’t intending them to be the models for those look. This actually made the characters more striking and unique-for example, a red headed Tinkerbelle is fresh and new.



But on site, the original concept of this all being a purely outdoors photo collection was put on ice. Tinkerbelle is an attention addict and just doesn’t fit in the great outdoors. She’s a diva, she needs bling, pizazz, the spotlight, a fully prepped set! 

Lilac, on the other hand, had the exact opposite results. Jaime looked amazing out there in the garden! An iron plant frame made a perfect set-the scale looks just like a tower. Setting Jaime there, how her dress cascaded down, the profile was stunning. I especially love having a serious of photos for this collection where the model is off centre. True, the wings weren’t essential in the end-I even tried draping them around the bars, suggesting bed curtains, but it did zip. I then placed it in the small pathway between some rose bushes that leads to a fountain. The image alluded to the image of the fairy walking through the grounds of the Palace while it's under the curse, admiring her handiwork. 

It’s is so chic, couturesque...if there was  Vogue for Fairies, this would be on the cover! It’s everything I’ve wanted in this project, a modern interpretation of classic characters with edge.







Monday, 1 July 2013

Ever After High Launch Review


I’m taking a small detour to reveal this epic news for the doll community. 

Now, some of you MAY have noticed I’m kinda a fan of the Monster High doll line. The individuality of each character, how clearly its expressed in their looks, even their colored skin tones. But mostly on the fact that finally there’s a toy line out there directly for those of us who are not afraid of break the mould!

So you can imagine, months after I created my Twisted Fairy Tales, the thrill of hearing that Mattel is launching a sister line to the Monster High Dolls based on fairy tales!! Doll World, welcome to Ever After High, the place of learning for the children of the Fairytale characters we know and love. And to top it off, one of the head lining characters is actually not your expected Princess heroine, but actually the daughter of the Evil Queen (I know, finally, a dark Fairytale themed doll!!). 

Who out there can’t relate to the conflict Raven goes through, resisting her destiny of becoming a fairytale villain. A bit like Frankie Stein of Monster High, there’s a clear parallel in this protagonist to that sense of being an outcast, but I’m personally drawn to her headstrong attitude and gothic fashion sense, contrary to Frankie’s shy and optimistic exterior.
As we speak, I’m already making room of my shelves to welcome these gorgeous ladies to my family! Yes, I much as I’ve worked with my Ellowyne Wilde dolls, I think I may take the path of the doll collector at last. Raven naturally is my first chance, but since the Madeline Hatter and Briar Rose dolls were revealed, I feel the fairytale lover in me won’t be able to resist the rest of the gang. I’ve been checking daily for the UK release date, and intent to be leading the stamped to grab one of these amazing dolls when they come out.
If only dolls like this had been already fifteen years ago....oh, Ever After High, where have you been all my life? I was lost, but now I am found!!