Holiday Style

Holiday Style by brimalotke

Winter Boots

Winter Boots by brimalotke

Accessories When You're Chilly

Accessories When You're Chilly by brimalotke

Already added a nice winter coat and thicker socks but you're still cold?? Try these simple accessories that will keep you warm on those chilly winter days. Read all about them on Fashion A,

Suede for Fall

Suede for Fall by brimalotke

Burlesque Fashion Illustration

 For my fashion illustration class we're working on our final project. For the project we're supposed to design 10 looks, front and back (so 20 figures), and have inspiration and other related boards to go with our presentation. For my final project I decided to do something insanely fun and different from my previous work. I chose to do a burlesque theme for my designs and so far I'm really loving it! I only have a few done so far and I'll need to scan them into the computer and do some work, such as adding solid colors for skin and hair and then adding fabrics and shading to the clothing.

I'll be sure to add more when it's closer to the due date and my project is further along. Inspiration wise so far I'm rolling with the classic burlesque shows such as the martini glass and sailor inspired ensembles. I'm hoping to add some that ooze Hollywood glamour as well. So stay tuned!! 

Color Therapy

Color Therapy by brimalotke

Color Therapy & the meaning behind some of this fall's top colors.

Check out my article on Fashion A!

Fall to Winter

Fall to Winter by brimalotke

Mainly the 2 keys to taking your wardrobe from fall to winter are layering up and choosing heavier fabrics for your accessories like scarves or socks.
If you're interested in reading more then head over to my full article on Fashion A Magazine!

Costume: Bodice & Skirt

To finish the bodice I cut bias strips of a paisley type fabric and with cording made piping to go around the edges of the bodice. I then sewed the piping on and hand basted the unfinished side to the bodice. 

 

Skirt wise I had done the math to find the number of pleats necessary and such for her waist measurement. After marking the corduroy I pinned it all and then sewed the pleats. I then sewed on a grograin ribbon waistband and it was ready for the fitting with the actress.

In the fitting we found out the designer wanted a higher and more cinched in waist, which resulted in me taking in the back of the bodice quite a bit and also moving where the snaps would go on the skirt for closures. I also marked the hem line for the skirt. 
After the fitting I was able to take in the bodice, finish all of the work on the bodice, mark and cut the skirt hem, use the blind hemmer on the skirt, and then put hook and bar taping in the back of the bodice. One of the last steps was cross stitching the skirt and bodice together so that it would be a dress. 
I will be attending the play this weekend and I am looking forward to seeing the costume in action. I had made the petticoat last year in my internship, I made the hip pad for her, and I made the dress from "scratch." I draped, patterned, cut fabric, and sewed all of the pieces together. I even used the grinder in the scene shop to grind down the boning for the bodice. This costume was essentially all done by me (minus the design of course but this was for work int he shop).
Overall I love it and I am just looking forward to seeing the show and seeing her in full character! Hopefully I'll get some good pictures to share and to use in my portfolio!

Costumes: Bodice Details

For the costume shop I draped a bodice for a character in "As You Like It." So here's a little bit more on the process. I have previously written about my beginning with the bodice in "Costume Bodice Progress." I realize that was forever ago, so this one might be a little long and I'll try to break it up. 
Pictured left is after I had taken my patterns and cut them out of coutille. I laid those pieces onto my corduroy so that I could trace and cut the pieces out. After cutting out all of my pieces I was able to sew the pieces of taping to where I had marked it out on the coutille. After the boning taping was in place I then had to flat line them, as in sew all of the pieces together about 1/4" away from the sew line.
Next I would sew the center front to the side front pieces and the the back pieces to the side back pieces, leaving the side seams and center back untouched. Lastly I sewed the straps on and made sure all of my seams were pressed. I would hand baste the side seams together for the fitting so that if there needed to be changes it could be done easily and efficiently. I also put the boning in and hand stitched the bottoms shut, enclosing the boning. You can see the inside of the bodice to the right before the boning was placed in the bodice.

Staying Inside? Stay Busy

Staying Inside? Stay Busy by brimalotke

Hey, thinking of spending some lazy time inside? Instead of feeling like a total bum you should try some new things! Or not new, but just fun :)
You can check out my article on Fashion A about some awesome ideas to do when you opt to stay in and stay cozy and warm.

Life in a Paragraph

I've been so busy lately with school and my 2 internships (Costume and Fashion A Magazine) on top of my jobs to really focus on my blog. The next couple of weeks will be insane but after that I will have plenty of time to write for myself on my blog and post a LOT of costume related pictures with tutorials and explanations and such. So get ready for awesomeness coming around the beginning of December!

Burgundy & Mustard Combo

Burgundy & Mustard Combo by brimalotke 

Article coming soon!

Leather & Grey

Leather & Grey by brimalotke 

I was originally going to write a piece for Fashion A Magazine on the wonderful look of leather and grey but I figured I'd try to write more on my blog for now. 

Check out my full article for Fashion A.

As of now I am loving the weather and how it's starting to be perfect jacket weather. One great staple piece to own is a leather jacket, however mixing it up and taking on a nontraditional leather jacket is a great idea. What I love about the ones pictured above is the variety within using very similar materials.Even within the textiles there are different shades of grey and you can almost feel them from the pictures. One typical thing of wool and leather jacket combinations is that the sleeves will be leather and the body will be wool. I did include an all grey, no leather version for those who may want a more loosely fitted and non leather option. You can chose a simplistic one or one with a lot of detailing and stitching featured. It's all up to you, but I would definitely look into something like these if you're considering a new jacket choice for the fall and winter seasons.