Have a Little Faith

Items from Faith 21's new line

Apparently 60% of women 18 or over are wearing size 12-plus, yet most fashion stores only stock items up to a size 12/14 max. With "plus size" fashion being an under served yet highly in-demand market, Forever 21 is stepping up to the plate and launching their new line called Faith 21 for women size 12 and over. As a side note I can't understand why being a size 12 is considered "plus size". I'm 5"9 and a size 8/10 and I'm a 'large' in Forever 21!! And let's hope the quality of this new line is a little better. I'd like to be able to put their clothes in the washing machine without fear of them disintegrating.

Anyway, this new line will feature items similar to other Forever 21 clothing lines, including flirty dresses, trendy tops, skirts, jeans and basics such as T-shirts, camisoles, tanks and leggings (see above pics for a sample). The target customer is age 15 to 29. Prices will range from $3.80 to $29.80. Look out for the launch later this month. The line will be available in some of the chain’s new or mall locations, but it will not be stocked at the Michigan Avenue flagship store, at least not immediately.

NY Fairytale Pictures

Coincidentally there were two fairytale photoshoots going on yesterday in NYC, one in Manhattan's Central Park and one in Brooklyn's Botanic Gardens. I was at the Brooklyn gathering dressed as Alice in Wonderland. Our group was a steampunk version of the fairytale characters.

My costume was actually made by my mother when I was in college, before I took up sewing. It's been lovingly worn by several ladies of my family too. It's slightly tattered seams worked just fine for steampunk. I also felt that if Alice was a real little girl (she's based on a real little girl the author knew) she would have raided her grandmother's jewelry drawer the way I always did. I punked up my look with black tights and shoes, kept my purple hair, added heavy goth makeup and black vintage gloves ($8 find a the thrift store).

Logistical details -- the organizer of our group had gotten permission for us to be there yet we were harassed by security the entire time. Every time we moved on to a new spot, they'd approach us again. What's the point of getting permission? Apparently some of the group tried organizing a shoot at the Cloisters and were met with much distain and harassment as well. I guess the costumes just scare the hell out of some people. The passers by, however, loved us. We were approached by many people asking if we were performing and lots who had never heard of Steampunk before; I don't blame them because I didn't know there was word for it until last year. It's security and it's NY - at least they're trying to d their jobs. After 2 hrs drive, no food, sore feet and the hottest day yet, I was not in the mood for security crap. Then it took us 30 minutes to go one block trying to get home. Grrr.

Brooklyn Group's Gallery:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1047498@N25/

Sleeping Beauty, Alice, Lion Tamer from Dumbo
Miss Muffett, Red Riding Hood, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts


Rapunzel and her Prince were so entertaining all day. She was totally Xena-like and had really super short spiky hair so the long detached braid was just hysterical.


Red with her hood up.


Hatter and Alice checking on Sleeping Beauty.


The Central Park group's gallery:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/knightmare6/sets/72157617315743660/

WWD covers Marvel - whodothunkit

When Women's Wear Daily starts covering Marvel comics in their articles, well, it really makes you take a step back and think. Ok, so they didn't review the Dark Reign saga or anything but they have featured Marvel's latest "female products" -- yes, that phrasing made all female fans cringe because it sounds like we'd be offered the latest Emma Frost tampon. Nonetheless, there really are new products being marketed towards girls of all ages by Marvel:

http://www.wwd.com/markets-news/marvel-debuts-female-apparel-and-cosmetics-2082130#/wwd

The article mentions that the shirts are licensed out to Mighty Fine which does create a lot of fun shirt but I personally find their quality low. They do get the cut correct for the female form but their cotton jersey material is thin and practically see-through and shrink terribly.

Dress up your kids' rooms at Walgreens?

I stumbled upon this while searching for something unrelated, of course, which is how my web surfing usually goes. Here are the first couple paragraphs of the article and the rest is at the source link provided.

Marvel Superheroes to Invade Walgreens

April 21, 2009

-By Becky Ebenkamp

Marvel Entertainment will partner with Walgreens for a direct-to-retail merchandise program at 6,000-plus drugstores, as part of a new strategy to expand its product lines and reach new customers.

Characters from Spider-Man Classic, Iron Man Classic, Hulk Classic, Marvel Comics Retro, Marvel Heroes, the Iron Man movie and the Hulk movie properties will grace toys, automotive accessories, pet products, photo department accessories, food gift sets, novelty candy, night lights, snow globes, holiday decorations, table and chair sets, wall decals, tumblers, posters, inflatables, flashlights and other products. Merchandise will hit shelves in spring 2010.

(Read the full story at the original site here.)

Fairytale Photoshoot in Brooklyn this Saturday

Allow me to direct your attention to the SteamFashion community at LiveJournal.com. One of the members is organizing a fairytale photoshoot at the Brooklyn Botanical gardens for this Saturday at 11 am.

I had my mum bring me the old Alice costume she made for me back in college before I was doing any sewing of my own. Lo and behold, it still fits really well.



As I said, no much in my steamy wardrobe yet. I added black gloves, black tights, a choker and put pigtails in my purpley hair. I'm off to find boots at the thrift store. It's really more of a goth take on it but for now, that's the best I can do. I hope to make my own version some day maybe with dark blue pin stripe fabric or something nifty. ;)

Harry Potter costume exhibit - Chicago

Oh how I wish travel wasn't so expensive! The Museum of Science & Industry is planning a glorious exhibition on Harry Potter props and costumes from April 30 - Sept 27. More than 200 pieces from the film franchise will be on display including Harry's original wand and eyeglasses. One of the exhibits will be a real version of Hagrid's hut which you can personally tour. Has anything this cool been done since having the real "Archie" ship (Watchmen) at Comic-Con?

http://www.harrypotterexhibition.com/

w.i.p. Athena Voltaire

I still need some pieces to finish this character like the belt and the guns. Eventually I will get around to making a jacket which matches more accurately but in the meanwhile, here's what I've come up with for Athena Voltaire:

The jacket was an evilbay find and one of my guilty purchases of real leather; the boots also real leather and the pants were thrift store finds.

(2010 update with store bought outfit):

Kitty Pryde/Shadow Cat

Following up on the previous post, Princess Caico now has a completed Marvel X-Men costume. She has been been entered in their Pet Avengers contest (awaiting mod approval over at flickr).

Marvel Pet Contest

I wonder if Marvel saw Rage Kitty and got jealous! Looks like I'll have to work on another supersuit for Caico and enter her:

http://scifiwire.com/2009/04/win-a-role-in-a-marvel-co.php

The Sleeves Have It

Beyonce arrives at the premiere of Cadillac Records held at The Egyptian Theater on November 24, 2008 in Hollywood, California.

Veronica Webb attends the opening night celebration of the New York City Ballet at David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln CenterNew York, November 25, 2008

Paula Patton arrives at 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center, Los Angeles on February 8, 2009

Puffed up sleeves seem to be all the rage these days. If you thought you'd left pink, frilly, puff-sleeved birthday dresses behind you think again. Now you can wear them in black for the after party. Take your cue from Beyonce, Veronica and Paula. They prove that any trend can be modernized. The sleeves definitely have it. See below for some inspiration.

My Picks!

Left to right: Chetta B Lace & Taffeta Dress, $525, www.saksfifthavenue.com; Juicy Couture Short Puff Sleeve Waisted Shell, $298, www.revolveclothing.com; ELLA MOSS Agnes Puff Sleeve Dress in Heather Grey, www.revolveclothing.com

Left to right: Lamé shift dress by Rue Du Mail, $2000, www.brownsfashion.com; Noreen dress coat by Beyond the Valley, $168, www.farfetch.com; Silk Puff Sleeve Dress, $42, www.forever21.com/twelve

Big isn't always better. So if you're apprehensive about donning voluminous sleeves, opt for dresses with subtler "puffs". This look is great for those who want to take a little risk with their style choices but not look too fashion conscious. My favorite has to be green dress from Forever 21's "Twelve by Twelve" line. For $42, you simply can't go wrong!

Rage of the Red Lanterns

The only issue of Final Crisis I bothered to read was "Rage of the Red Lanterns" and for one reason only -- RAGE KITTY! I mean, I'm sorry about Bzzzt and all, but come on... bloodfilled feline of pure hate! It's genius really.

So on this gloriously bright and sunny afternoon while I'm battling a lovely first spring sinus cold, I sat down and created a simplified version of Rage Kitty for my beautiful girl:

I like this picture the best because Caico just looks so damn pissed off and her always reflective blue eyes look blood-filled.

Since I was wearing my Rage shirt too I had to get in the picture.