Corporate Goth: the shift dress

The first time I heard about Corp. Goth I though: "wow, useful black clothes for work without all the drama of victorian-themed or all other full length gowns..." I was wrong, I never managed to find anything similar to what I do.
The main reason I started my fashion label it was because I wanted to offer dramatic clothes for the everyday life (I didn't see anyone in the alternative scene offering that and I still don't). However, that means that it doesn't always have to be a gorgeous gown with overwhelming amount of detailing and embellishments to reach that dramatic look.
I have just found a picture of Carol Vorderman (as far as I know, she is not into alternative fashion). She looked like a very stereotypical femme fatale only because she was wearing a very simple but dramatic dress, with pointed shoulders!

She looks gorgeous, mysterious, sexy and most interesting, unique and different!
The dress is not designer and is not alternative, is from the Victoria Beckham collection.
I have to admit that I have surprised myself by liking it. The pieces are classy, wearable but not boring and very feminine. They really flatter the figure by accentuating the hourglass shape. This picture of ms Vorderman is a proof that you don't need to be skinny to look stunning. If you are still unsure, have a look at mrs Beckham wearing similar dresses and tell me. Who do you think wears them best?
This is the link, if you want to read the full article.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1218754/Carol-Vorderman-puts-curves-sleek-black-number.html

Glamourous draped front soft-jacket

Hi everyone! I-ve just finished a beautiful jacket so I was dying to post the pics on the blog.
As you can see, it is a very feminine and flattering jacket with the "somehow retro feel" trademark of TheBlackWardrobe... ;)
It has a beautiful waterfall of drapes at the front than can be cinched with a satin ribbon and the neckline is adorned with a discrete frill of satin (lined with jersey).
It will look perfect on a pencil skirt or any other fitted bottoms. It's on sale on the website for £60. (plus £8 shipping for Europe, for overseas, please ask). It is handmade by me (like everything else).
There are more pics on the website, have a look, give feedback or place an order!
theblackwardrobe.com

Gothic hair-styles looks for the office

At some point, we all grow up and tend to distance ourselves from the teenage looks, I think you know where I´m getting to...Yes! Sophisticated grown up look or straight raven-hair do?

I´ve already spoken about the raven hair do (http://the-black-wardrobe.blogspot.com/2008/07/gothic-make-up-tips-alternative-to.html)

Some people like it (easy, sleek and simple) other people just find it boring and teenage. I am between both options, sometimes can look very sexy, when it´s done properly, otherwise, It makes me look like Monalisa. However, other times, it looks a bit dull and boring.

There´s a new trend that it´s been hitting for over a couple of years now, which is the intermix between Goth and Rockabilly (it sounds bizarre but they ´re somehow related, just look at fashion´s history books and you will know why). You can find the local versions of this interesting mix such as in "bobs" (yes, the Victoria´s Beckham hair do but in a sleek raven-black version) or in longer lengths with fringe (very Betty Page)

But the last branch or "evolution" that it has come out from the Gothic subculture is the retro-burlesque one. Sometimes, intermixed/blended with Rockabilly, as well!

I´m one of these people who strongly believe that ms. Von Teese was the one who started it all, back to her gothic days with Marilyn -teenage idol- Manson.

It´s a very classy, old Glamour look. Very high maintenance! Which makes not suitable for everyone but it has that intriguing dark feel to it that makes it irresistible for those girls who are in the alternative circles. It works very well on all hair colours but specially, with black! I think it really gives a bit of fresh hair to the sometimes dull, straight-raven hair-do, don´t you think?

More corporate gothic pieces: cobweb dress

As I said, I'll be posting pics of my work so you all can see it and express your opinions as well! So far, no-one has commented anything yet.

This particular one is very very retro, more retro than gothic, I think. It's a fitted dress with a extremely flattering low neck with darts on the bust. It really emfasizes the bust and the cap sleeves are made of tulle-lace. Nice......isn´t? Gorgeous for a night out, an office cocktail party or even for work.

Corporate Goth or as some people may call it "adult Goth"

I've already said on the blog that Goth keeps crawling back to the surface of fashion every single winter but it always ends up in the dark, difuminating its black shadows until it dissappears from mainstream eyes. This winter, is back again. More obvious than ever (due to the current economical depressive mood), I mean, less romantic and more sleek and front-forward. Strong but balanced with just the right statement-pieces and, most important of all, super wearable. Which is something that traditional Goth doesn´t offer but Corporate Goths still need to achieve.



By typing "gothic chic" on google, I came across this article on the Daily Telegraph´s website. It´s quite old (2005) but that is irrelevant as we all know trends come and go but needs will always be there. It´s interesting as a reference, if you are looking for idea to update your black wardrobe for work or any other daily situations..... Enjoy.

"Looking scary, looking good"

Very occasionally, a trend emerges that seeps through all areas of culture, from film and music to interiors and beauty. One such trend this season is the glamorous, new image of gothic style.
Marc Jacobs kicked off the new mood with a catwalk show packed with gothic references, from the Edward Scissorhands soundtrack to the long black skirts, velvet-trimmed dresses and dark Edwardian silhouettes.
Last week, Tim Burton, the king of the modern gothic movie, released his latest macabre romance, The Corpse Bride, while black interiors - including matt black walls and glossy black accessories - are the most interesting new home trend. Slick black nail polish is currently considered to be über-chic, and Marilyn Manson, the scary-faced goth rocker, was in the front row at the Paris fashion shows last month.

However, gothic is difficult to wear. All those bleak colours and heavy silhouettes can be unflattering, and head-to-toe sinister will make you look more like a deranged teen than a mysterious modern goth. It's a look that needs a light touch and a hint of elegance to make it work.

Black velvet
Sumptuous dark velvet is a grown-up way to approach the gothic look. (...)

Lace blouses
All those dark colours need to be broken up with softer layers and lighter colours. A delicate lace blouse contrasts well with black velvet or wool.

Jet jewellery
Simple Victorian pendants look great with Edwardian-style clothes, but jet - especially faceted jet - is probably the most dramatic jewellery to wear with a gothic look. Erickson Beamon's Sleepy Hollow collection includes chandelier earrings with jet and hermatite (from £150; 020 7259 0202) and jet lariat-style necklaces (from £350).

Lace-up boots
Marc Jacobs showed much of his collection with black socks and flat black patent shoes. However, lace-up boots with heels are more flattering.

source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/main.jhtml?xml=/fashion/2005/10/26/efgoth26.xml

More corporate gothic pieces: panelled lace top

Here comes the second of my new pieces....
Do you remember my strap-less top?
You can have a look at this slide-show
http://the-black-wardrobe.blogspot.com/2008/05/check-out-my-slide-show.html

Well, this one is super femenine and it reminds me of those retro lingerie bustiers...
It has lace panels and two chiffon straps that come out from the lowest point of the centre, they really accentuate the shoulders and also, emphasize the bust. Beautiful....
Unlike the cobweb top, this top is not completely finished yet...
Hope you like it!

I´m back...with more corporate gothic pieces!

Here, I´m again....sorry for the delay.

I´ve been working in new pieces to add to the Black Widow´s collection. So I will start posting pics of each garment in the next following days...

Here´s the first one.

I was very impressed by the amount of interest in the cobweb top so I added a new variation that I hope people will like too.

Gothic make-up tips: an alternative to raven-black hair

"Raven-black" hair has become an stereotype of the Goth look and now of the Emo look as well.... That's why it's not suitable for the office sometimes, specially with a very paled skin. It´s still considered a "teenage" feature and I know some Goths do want to stay away from Emos as much as they can....I still love the raven look, but that's my opinion.


If you have been told off by your boss or you just got tired of it, I've found some interesting other options, like chestnut or chocolate shades. They're not as boring as you might think (unless you´ve got dark-olive skin and brown eyes, just go to Spain and you,ll see what I mean...) as they still add drama to a fair skin but without making you look too "gothy" for the office. Because Chestnut is a very dark shade of brown, -which is a "warm" colour, unlike black- it brings a subtle golden/auburny shine to the face.




If I´m not wrong, Cameron Diaz was one of the first ones who started it, she went from blonde to chocolate, which gave a lot of sophistication to her look and then Lindsay Lohan changed her gorgeous ginger hair to slut-blonde first and then to chocolate. Obviously, because she´s a natural red-head, the chestnut colour really worked on her, it made her look sophisticated, grown-up and -if it wasn´t because of the bloody fake tan-dramatic but without being too "gothy".

gothic fashion tips: how to tame down a gorgeous black lace dress

I´m sure there´s no Goth or Goth-enthusiastic out there without a black lace dress inside their wardrobes. Waiting for "the chance" to be worn for......

Lace, as any other opulent fabric, is quite tricky to wear during day-light (specially if you are paled-skin and dark-raven hair....that easily screams out "goth") but I´ve found these pics that prove my point that everything can be tamed down and consequently, been adapted for any corporate Goth.

The key is, again, keep it simple. The fabric is already opulent and rich so it doesn´t need any help to claim any more attention than what it already does. That means: plain accesories (nothing outrageous, matt textures...) and not too edgy make up. Either dark lips and nude eyes (look at the Peaches Geldof pic, I wonder when this woman became been interested in the dark look) or (my favourite) soft smokey black eyes and nude lips. Take this Pearl Lowe´s pic as an example, she has combined a soft grey smokey eyes with soft pink lips. She has managed to smooth her look down with a doll-face make-up that doesn´t add anymore to her already "vamp-ish" outfit.

We are awaiting an indeed dark winter...

As usual, Black is coming back this winter (nothing new) however, this black has the darkest feel I've seen so far. Trapped in the middle of a crisis, fashion designers have created black collections which are surrounded by a dark and dejected mood. That's VERY good news for us, Corporate Goths! At last, a fashion that understands Goth. Dark and simple collections that don't try to over-do. Simple and austere pieces that complement paled and worried faces....

We don't know if we'll be able to pay our bills. Will there be any petrol left, the next time we go to the local petrol's station?

Every couple of seasons, I´ve noticed that some designers have tried to bring Goth to mainstream as a desperate try to claim some attention to themselves or, perhaps, as a desperate try to be "super-alternative". It hasn´t been necesary this time....The world is in a "ennui" mood. This time, Goth has crawled from the darkness on its own, from the dark depth of our worries to the catwalk. Will its fashion be adopted by this dark-mooded mainstream?

We hope not, as we hope this crisis will not last as long as some pessimistics are trying to convince us....

The Black Widow

There´s one of my looks which I´m really proud of: the last one (which I hadn´t had the chance to post any pics of it yet). Here´s some photos. As you can see, I literally re-shaped the figure to make the model look like a black widow and the clothes ARE NOT heavy! Intriguing, isn´t it?

Corporate Goths......types

I came across this cartoon on this blog: http://www.aerynna.com/

I think is Very cute! but, I wonder if it would also reflect what british Corp. Goths dress like for work...

The blog is american, I have to say (that distinction IS crucial as the scene and social contexts are completely different on this side of the Atlantic).

More fashion tips for your daily black wardrobe: BE CLEVER

When you are in your spare time (in a night out, at home, with your friends in the city...), dress as you want. No-one should have the right to insult you or tell you off. (Although some twats still think they do have that right...)

Another thing is when you are at work.....or in any other daily-life situation where your attire could get you into trouble or, in the worst cases, into pure discrimination. (Which is illegal BUT it happens).

Here is where you have to play the clever game. We already know that ignorants associate gothic fashion with ripped fishnets, badly dyed hair, vampire makeup and any other grungeness in general. However, although you are dressed in your beautiful and modern fantastic outfit you´re still a "Goth" or a "evil-worshiper" for them. And for them, head to toe Gothic IS still more frightening than fabulous.

The plan is to look as simple as you can. Tame down the textures (minimize the use of luxurious textures such lace, velvet and satin to details or key pieces). There are more tips on this post: http://the-black-wardrobe.blogspot.com/search/label/gothic%20fashion%20tips OR if you really want to wear that dramatic piece (a lace blouse, those studded pointed shoes), coordinate it with a casual-neutral piece like skinny jeans or a very plain black skirt. If you don´t mind wearing a completely neutral look, keep the drama just in the accesories (pvc shoes, a stunning brooch, long leather gloves)

COLOURS:

remember there´s more than just black. Experiment with grey, navy blue or the classy black&white combination. The trick is to semi-hide yourself, if they´re that clever, they will know you are a Goth or Goth lover. But usually, people are not that clever...and at some point, they start asking questions....leave them in the doubt. Other colours that would really be interesting too are plum, cream (it enfasizes the pallor of your skin because of its pastel shade), and burgundy. However, never wear purple! never, never, never. Besides being a very easy stereotype, it´s been proved in psychological studies of colour that purple´s an unsocial colour. If you want to be the distant, "no-one wants to be near person" that is the colour to go for. But we don´t want to be that, do we? We need to pay bills....

What NOT TO WEAR to work (all together): pointed shiny shoes (aggresive-sharp lines, and strong sexual connotation), a satin piece (very evening and again, sexual connotation), dramatic make-up (again, sexual connotation-"femme fatalle"). There´s a stunning mix of luxurious textures, sharp lines, combined with a super-shaped feminine siluette (due to a super fit mini)....All that combination of things screams "goth"! Again, choose one thing as the main stand-out piece of your look.

What to wear to work: here are two examples of key pieces combined with flat ones in order to minimize the drama of your attire. In the first pic, what it seems to be a heavy-weight brocade skirt is been tamed down with a plain matt shirt and the look it is been finished with a thin piece of jewelry that will not distract the attention to the skirt. In the second pic, a decadent ruffle shirt is been combined with plain black pants, in this case, skinny that gives more volumen to the upper part of the body. In both pictures, the make-up is been kept to the minimal which is a good trick if you skin is extremely pale.

Gothic make-up tips for everyday....

"How to go as dark as you dare"
This is the title of a make-up tips list published on the ManchesterEveningNews website.
It´s not written by someone who is into Goth (you can tell by comments like: "Don't get spooked into thinking goth equals grunge. Today's trend is uber-glossy, high fashion, and ultra polished".)
Because, the article, in my opinion, portraits Goths as black tacky clowns by associating their looks with Grunge?...Grunge!
Goth is about a sophisticated drama, it IS very theatrical (that´s what the story is about) but you can tame it down without making it look boring.
I´ve picked up two illustrative examples, very different between each other. However, I think they represent the two ways that Goth make-up could be taken to: plain black OR dramatic phantasmagorical colours played with smokes and shades.

Interested in more? Let´s read the tips, then:
SKIN
"Don't be tempted to emulate the ghostly pale skin effect seen on the catwalk; you'll end up looking like too much like Morticia Adams," Jemma warns."Opt instead for a sheer, luminous and `brightened' skin effect. First, prep and moisturise the skin, followed by a fabulous skin illuminator which `haloes' your face with light, without whitening it."

I agree with that, I keep seeing Goths who seem to have thrown flour to their faces despite being naturally paled....
Not offence but it looks stupid, I´m sorry....

EYES
"The extreme catwalk gothic gloss look involves both soft dark, strong eyes and lip colour - but in real life, especially during the day, dramatising both can look disastrously over the top," says Jemma."The key is to `veil' the entire eye from the lid right up to the brow with a wash of subtle colour. Try feminine shades of plum or mauve. Go as dark as you dare."

I COMPLETELY agree with that because I´ve tried it during daylight. The only person who can get away with that look is Robert Smith, I´m afraid. We will have to keep it for the night....

LIPS
"For statement lips be daring with a lip liner in plum," Jemma advises. "Finish by slicking on a glossy, dark and sumptuous berry shade. Contrast with a `wash' of neutral eye colour."

I MUST add, if you are not tempted by the "wash of neutral eye colour", you can try with smokey eyes in a soft shade of black of grey. It would still look dramatic but not too over-loaded.

GOTH SHOPPING LIST
"If super-dramatic smokey eyes are on your beauty agenda, try Jemma Kidd Define: Stay-Put Eyeliner (£9), Darphin Eye Pencil in Black (£12), or Avon In A Blink 2-in-1 pencil at £6 (avonshop.co.uk), with eyeliner at one end and powder eyeshadow at the other.Hit the dark goth-style shadows with Tigi Cyberoptics Eyeshadow in Black or Amethyst, £8.95 (tigihaircare.com), The Body Shop Smudger in Burnished Metal (£9), or Bare Escentuals Mystical Eye Quickies at £22 (qvcuk.com). Apply lashings of thick, black mascara using Givenchy Captiv'Eyes Intense Volume Mascara for £17.Alternatively, let your lips do all the talking with B Borscht Lip Cream in deep purple, £8.50 (lush.co.uk), or Jemma Kidd Hi Shine Lip gloss in Currant for £9.50.If you want to go goth from tip-to-toe, paint on some black nail polish to complete your coffin couture look. Try GOSH nail polish in Nero, £5.99, or Barry M Black Nail Paint, £2.95, both at Superdrug".

Hope you liked the article, here´s the link:
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/lifestyle/
health_and_beauty/health_and_beauty_reviews/s/
1024923_how_to_go_as_dark_as_you_dare

5th look, all pics are blurred sorry....

Here comes the 5th look!
Long sleeved victorian shirt with lace panels on the front. Collar in satin.
If you look closer, you will see satin seams between the lace panels. It is meant to create the effect of a cobweb.
The pencil, high-waisted skirt has sating "legs" that stand out from the surface.
I do apologize for the quality of the pictures, again....
I´m sorry....

Fashion tips for your daily black wardrobe

I´ve been searching everywhere for a interesting and practical list of gothic fashion tips without falling into the obvious topics: "wear velvet...wear silver crosses". I don´t dismiss the traditional look at all but this blog, my work- it´s aimed at the practical Goth: how to dress Goth without making people scream in your workplace and other daily-life places in general......
The following list is been written by Christine Stoddard, writer and artist from The States, whose work has appeared in numerous publications both print and online.

TIP #1
"Wear black the right way: In small quantities, black is stunning. In large quantities, black is morbidly unattractive. You can achieve the slimming effect black brings without shrouding yourself in all-black outfits. Pair black with navy, forest green, dark brown, deep violet, charcoal gray, burgundy and similar drab colors or use them as complete alternatives to black. Also remember that black and scarlet or black and purple are two popular Goth color combinations".

I partially disagree with this statement, you can still wear black from head to toes without looking over-dramatical. You have to options: keep it black but plain, or if you go for accesories, use one dramatical statement piece (a pair of shoes, a nice piece of jewellery, a contrast belt, a dramatic bag....etc)







TIP #2
"Wear silver jewelry: Silver charm necklaces and bracelets are popular Goth accessories. Look for charms like lockets, birdcages, crosses, skulls, suns, moons, stars, owls, unicorns, and fairies. Avoid bright gold-colored jewelry. Faded gold jewelry looks best if paired with silver pieces. Try putting some lightweight faded gold and silver chains together with a scoop neck or V-neck blouse. Silver chandelier earrings with beads are also classically Goth. Just remember, that the dressier the jewelry, the subtler the clothes should be, at least for day".





TIP #3
"Wear textured hosiery: Hosiery can make an outfit. For a sophisticated Goth look, go for fine fishnets in black, charcoal, chocolate, burgundy, and forest green. Avoid fishnets with giant holes, as they reveal too much flesh in an unflattering way. (If you’re aiming to show off a little skin, better unbutton your blouse for some cleavage instead or simply go barelegged.) Pair textured hosiery with plain skirts and dresses---no competing textures or patterns, like reflective silk or floral. Opaque tights in black and interesting shades of wine and plum are good for more intricate dresses and skirts".

I would also like to add that if you are going for the plain-black look, a pair of lace tights will not only add the gothic bit to it but it would make it look very very elegant without looking too-dressy. Another colour that would really suits the gothic skin-types is cream. It´s a very romantic colour that works very well with black, adding a softness to the somehow harsh black and it emphasizes the pallor of white skins.




TIP #4
"Wear dark velvet: Everything-even lounge pants-looks elegant in velvet. But as tempting as it may be to drape yourself all over in this comfortable fabric, try to add variety to an outfit by mixing in other materials. Wear a velvet hoodie over a cotton tee or a velvet skirt with a fitted wool sweater. Also search for jeans with velvet details, like velvet embellished embroidery or velvet covered pockets. If real velvet is too expensive for your budget, search for polyester or rayon textured like velvet. They give the same effect for far less money and most people cannot even distinguish between the two".

My tip is, avoid velvet unless the piece is plain. Because it´s a very luxurious and shiny fabric, you would end up looking too dressy with it and the Gothic look is VERY easy to overdue. If you still want to wear velvet in your outfit, use a key piece for it (a burgundy or black blazer, a skirt or a top).



TIP #5
"Wear lace: Lace is the most feminine of fabrics, which is why it’s so hard to wear well without seeming like you’re in a period piece. The key is to mix lace with more gender-neutral or even masculine fabrics to offset its inherent flounce. That’s why black leather and lace are such a classic combination. Another idea is throwing a casual fitted cardigan over a lace-trimmed camisole (or two or three layered camisoles). Black or burgundy lace trim is also a classy trim for jeans and denim jackets. Lace chokers are graceful touches to any outfit, but to avoid looking too dressed up during the day, throw on some jeans or a casual top. Also shop for lace headbands for girly panache".







TIP #6
"Wear pearls: Pearl necklaces, long or short, are classy additions to any outfit. Pearl bracelets look very Victorian, but for a modern touch, stack them up with short-sleeved or sleeveless tops. Also search for buttons and jackets with pearl buttons. Be careful when shopping for peal earrings---they can easily look too matronly. Tiny pearl studs are usually the freshest, most modern size. Small pearl drop earrings are also lovely. Look for pieces in black pearls, too, which are gorgeously Goth when paired with black lace".

Don´t look for pearl buttons! Just thinking of it, eeeeeegk!, it would make the piece look SO old fashion, but in the bad way! I would prefer to see pearls only on jewellery.



TIP #7
"Wear tall boots: boots don’t have to be high-heeled, but they should cover the majority of the calf. Look for leather or suede or convincing vinyl and details like laces and subtle buckles. Black, gray, brown, red, and purple are the ideal colors, especially in darker shades. Find sleek cuts and steer clear of anything that screams ‘high school punk rock concert,’ like mega-platforms".

My tip is, wear any shoes you want. Pointed, rounded, modern, old fashion (eg, Mary Janes) as long as you feel comfortable with them. But remember! Don´t over-do, if you´re going for astonishing shoes, keep the rest of the outfit plain or with minimal expression.








Hope you liked this list ot tips, here´s the link to the website where I sourced it from:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2180536_add-gothic-flair-wardrobe.html

If you want to know more about the writer, here´s another link:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/christinestoddard

What the hell is Corporate Goth?

This is something new I´ve recently discovered: corporate Goth. What the hell is that? Well, I´ve already discussed on my blog the "problems" or "inconveniences" of dressing Goth during the day (people staring at you, shouting at you, having your dress full of dogshit because is too long, pvc fabric is too hot for doing jogging...etc). So, some people (from the other side of the Atlantic) started to wonder, what to wear for work? And there´s a website set-up as a forum-guide for all those Goth-workers who are in fashion troubles or just having the very first morning trauma of "I can´t see it what´s in the wardrobe, all is black!" followed after the one of "I don´t like anything from that black stain inside my wardrobe". I still don´t find any shop that offers corporate gothic clothes yet.
However, I don´t think it would be very very appealing to everyone. Just to hear the name of it........agggh...it sounds like........"communist uniform". It reminds me of "uniformality", "alienation", "boredom". I think, because of its practicity, it would lack of originality and everyone wearing that would end up looking the same. Ironic, isn´t (I know, I know! people already think that about Goths anyway). It is still worth it to have a go at the website:
www.waningmoon.com/corpgoth/