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.

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.

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!!

Sugarplum Progress

It’s been a while, due to a week vacation followed by one heck of a flu, my sister visiting and a busy week doing costumes for the children’s ballet, I’m back and bloggin’, folks!

So here’s how things are going so far with the Sugarplum costume. The new skirt made out of layers of netting looks way better, scratching the whole cupcake paper tin idea. The lilac and hot pink sequins really do look like gum drops. At first I started to stitch them onto gathers pieces of netting, to look like twisted candy wrappers, but it had no effect whatsoever against the skirt’s layers. The whole gaudy tacky theme is under some rethinking.

So, it’s still a work in progress, and I’m desperately trying to stay on track and finish one outfit before moving onto the next. Even though the temptation to start the next fairy is there....so obviously there...dang it, stay on target!!!

Wingin' It

First, I should totally highlight the fact that this month I celebrate my girls’ third birthday. Exactly 3 years ago I received my gorgeous Erika, Blanca, Rosalind and Jaime as a graduation gift from a treasured friend Lin. Happy Birthday, girls! I love you all!

Anyway, to business:

Last week I hit rock bottom at one point with Sugarplum (seriously, is there some equivalent of writers’ block in design?), so I decided to take a break, and going back to tie up a few loose ends I left. I hadn’t yet made the key fairy feature for my girls Lilac and Tinkerbell; wings! 

With Tink, I wanted to add size range to the collection. I thought of her appendages seeming to be part of her vest, subtly indicated protruding from her shoulders. I started with some cardboard as a base for each wing shape, then layered the remains of the chiffon and linen fabric onto it, even tossing some of the leftover bling into the look.

Literally, the second I finished these, I wondered what the heck I was thinking! The size was way too big, threw off the balance of the upper part of the costume. I scratched that pair and started at once on a simpler version, instead with a smaller more flexible paper base and holding back on the bling. Now the wings are clearly there, but not overbearing the whole ensemble. And anyway, who said wings have to be functional?

For Lilac, I didn’t like where the mask idea was heading. It looked too much like those commedia d’ell arte looks. However, I still liked the idea of hiding the eyes, as if suggesting them being closed for sleep. I then remembered the image of the Greek Goddess Nemesis, with half of her mysteriously covered by this black cloth that hides her eyes. The effect is so simple yet subtle, it’s perfect for Lilac’s narcolepsy theme.

Her wings I’ve always envisioned being long, sleek and flowing down on the ground, more like a heavy cloak with frayed ‘moth eaten’ edges. This makes her walk have this amazing train behind her, like how she drags the sleeping curse everywhere with her.

Sugar Plum Fairy, so sticky n' sweet...

It feels weird, designing an outfit for what I think of as the Poster Girl for the Holiday season in the beginning of May. But I’ve got so many ideas for it, I can’t resist!

The Sugar Plum Fairy from the Nutcracker ballet has always been viewed as graceful, gorgeous, the epitome of the magical sugar world Clara finds herself in. So I was intrigued by Matthew Bourne’s vision, where Candyland is this toxically alluring realm, and the Sugar Princess is actually Clara’s rival. Here the Sugar Plum Fairy represents the dark side of sweets, it’s grosser aspects (it’s sticky texture, it’s artificial coloring in her hot pink gown.) It’s all so brilliantly reincarnated!

I’ve been listening to the soundtrack for the film Hansel and Gretel; Witch Hunters. The track ‘Don’t Eat the Candy’ is very chilling yet amusing with the sound effects of kids licking their fingertips. 

Nikki Minaj is another inspiration for this character, with her vibrant color choices and girly rock frocks. When putting together my moodboard, I researched ‘Nikki Minaj Prom Dresses’, and was amazed with the results that came up! Pink was always the foundation shade for this look, and not that magenta shade I love, but a tackier pink-think that Barbie birthday cake you had when you were six. However, the ‘Plum’ aspect of the character calls for purple, which would add to the artificial coloring palette I want to invoke, suggesting all the food coloring used in the candy industry.

For my first sketch, I’d always envisioned using a lollipop swirl strip, looping around the bodice as if the dress is oozing off of the doll. But in the transition to the full length skirt, I remembered this Monster High dress design for Snow bite, how the top layer of the dress having this acidic dripping effect. That dripping effect would really present that sticky element. For the skirt, I’ve got a couple of things in mind, along the lines of candy wrappers being stuck on. Also I’ll be using pink and purple rhinestones to suggest that glittery detail in iced sugar. 

I can’t wait to get started! It’s gaudy, tacky, yet whimsical and bright. 

Tinkerbell Hits the Stage...

Three fairies down, four to go!

It was really refreshing to work with a colour other than black. The 'petal' layered look I created, inspired by the dress designed on Project Runway, Season 7 in the episode 'the Fashion Farm'. It has lots of fluffy bounce to it, something I've loved so far in all this Fairy couture. I was amused when I first stitched on the olive green sequins onto the pointed sections of each layered, when I first looked at it, a voice in my head screamed 'NOT GLITTERY ENOUGH'. Sometimes, there just ain't enough rhinestones, ha?

This week, I went through three different ‘swagger vests’ for this Tinkerbell look, and was on the verge of totally tossing the idea aside. Almost.

The problem was that the design in my original sketch never came out the way I imagined it. So instead of fighting a loosing battle with the original pattern, I went and made a fresh start on a new vest, this time covering it in sequins. But after stitching a bunch of the plastic stones on, I felt the garment just looked tacky, like a cheap magician’s costume. However, it did give me the idea of making a bejewelled neckpiece that really strikes the eye and beautifully compliments the simplicity of the bodice.

By at this point, even though I was pleased with the overall look at that point, I longed for those broadened shoulders and impact the vest would ultimately make. So yesterday afternoon I gave it one last shot, making a third template. Only this time, I decided to create that furry flare draped effect by applying the same layered patterns I’d used on the skirt. The end result wasn’t as bold and Beyonce as I was hoping it would be, but it looks amazing against the sequined necklace!

This completed look is as close to my original sketch as I could wish for. This whole Fairy project has enlightened me to the process of multiple attempts to get the results you want. The process is still frustrating, and when you spend so much time on one piece it can drive you artistically insane. But I’m still proud of what I accomplished in the end, but I’m more than ready to be done with the Tinkerbell dress.