Fashion photoshoot Spring/Summer 2012: behind the scenes

While I wait for the photographer to finish editing the pics of the shoot. Here are a couple of tasters. I took them with my mobile phone, so they are not great but I still find them interesting. It is always exciting to see the action live, the model on the flesh, the fabric flowing naturally, and all the hard-work that is been put behind that blank canvas you see on pics. I seriously love that chaise-longue....

New item on the website: retro pin-up black&white tailored dress.

This is another dress that was finished just before the photoshoot. It is exquisitely tailored (it is based on a blazer pattern I drafted last month which I am planning to use very very soon ;)
It features a collar and lapel neckline -standard blazer collar- and short puff sleeves, all trimmed with white satin bias. It is very 40s/50s inspired. It is so classy and the fabric is timeless and smart (cotton sateen with a bit of stretch), I think it would be perfect for both day and evening and that gorgeous lapel is screaming for a breath-taking brooch, I'm thinking of a jet-black spider....

More info on my website: http://www.theblackwardrobe.com/Shop/product.php/77/retro_pin_up_black_white_tailored_dress

New items on the website: Black long sleeved lace gown

I can't remember if I mentioned here about the photoshoot I had recently (I definetely did on my facebook page, if you don't follow me, please, do ;)
This is one of the pics of that photoshoot (more pics coming soon) and I designed this gorgeous gown just before the shoot so I wanted it to be included. I think it will be a gorgeous piece for any smart occasions, including weddings. It is sooo darkly elegant, it is sure to be a staple piece in Morticia's black wardrobe. What do you think?

The stunning model is Whiskey Raven and the photographer is the talented Glo Mason from InaGlo Photography. (Links to their facebook pages are on their names).

Click here to see more pics and info on my website: http://www.theblackwardrobe.com/Shop/product.php/76/black_long_sleeved_lace_gown

Fashion inspiration: Viktor & Rolf, Autumn/Winter 2012-13

As I am in full swing developing my Spring/Summer collection and sewing like mad I got distracted looking at the dark beauties we may expect wearing next Winter. I must say, I'm excited. Lots of Dark Dark pieces! (and I'm not talking about plain black, I'm talking about opulent velvet and decadent gothic symbols as well as distressed textures and luxurious brocades and dramatic laces). I'm drooling just thinking of it. If you add Vintage to the mix, then you have grabbed all my attention, and that's what Viktor and Rolf's next Winter collection has done: a very dark glamorous collection depicting languid femme fatales dressed in misterious black outfits, trimmed with luxurious fur and vintage-style ruffles and tassels.

Love the description given on the Fashion Telegraph's website:
"Soft, feminine, and romantic - with a little bit of mystery. Luke Leitch on Viktor & Rolf's chic moonlight-bathe, film-noirish collection."

"The models had Rita Hayworth waves, almost consumptive pallors and the dark berry lips that have all been recurring themes in the film noir-tinted styling so popular this season."

Link to the article: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/Article/TMG9120979/754/Paris-Fashion-Week-Viktor-and-Rolf-autumnwinter-2012.html

Big pics taken from here: http://cltreanor.blogspot.com/2012/03/viktor-rolf-fall-2012.html

New items on the website (jewellery) -Part 4

More items have been included in my website. The latest one,

Antiqued brass bumble bee necklace with topaz jewel. 

http://www.theblackwardrobe.com/Shop/product.php/74/bumble_bee_topaz_necklace

New items on the website (jewellery) -Part 3

Another item added to the website, a bug bracelet. A beetle bracelet! What do you think? I decided to use metallic green czech glass beads, I think is a colour that would work very well with the bronze brass.

http://www.theblackwardrobe.com/Shop/product.php/71/green_metallic_beetle_bracelet

New items on the website (jewellery) -Part 2

Following my previous post, here are more pictures of another item I've added recently in my website. I know some poeple are obsessed with ancient Egypt or bugs in general, so I reckon this will soon become a favorite. What do you think?

Antiqued scarab beetle necklace

Here is the link: http://www.theblackwardrobe.com/Shop/product.php/72/antiqued_scarab_beetle_necklace

New items on the website (jewellery)

I'm glad to say that I really enjoyed myself at the Alternative and Burlesque fair in Manchester. Definetely attending the next one in May and if you are in the NorthWest, hoping to see you there.
Since last Saturday I have been busy editing the pictures of the new styles I created for the show and posting them on the website. I hope you like them. This is one of them:

Vintage art-deco inspired 1tassel necklace

I love all of these long flapper style necklaces (and I already have some styles on my website) but I wanted to create a style that was slightly simpler and therefore more wearable for everyday. I can see this necklace worn over a romantic black maxi dress or even a plain pencil dress at work. What do you think? Do you wear big bold black jewellery during the day or leave it for when it's dark?

This is the link to my website, for more info: http://www.theblackwardrobe.com/Shop/product.php/73/vintage_art_deco_inspired_1tassel_necklace

Manchester Burlesque and Alternative fair

Since Christmas I have been incredibly busy with a quite packed schedule. I am planning a photoshoot for my summer items and also organizing myself and making sure I have enough stock for this year's trading events. The most immediate one is the Manchester Burlesque and Alternative fair, which I haven't done before but I am really looking forward to.

It is in Sound Control, 1 New Wakefield Street (off Oxford Rd), Manchester M1 5WH
Trading will be from 12 noon - 6pm (£5 PAY ON DOOR)
Offering up to 50 STALLS, THREE THEMED SHOPPING FLOORS, 2 PERFORMANCE STAGES, a full programme of entertainment & installations + a lounge bar chill-out area and private outdoor terrace.


These are the styles that you will find at this event:
• Burlesque • Vintage • Rockabilly • Fetish • Gothic • Alternative • Steampunk • Neo-Victorian
 
...and these are the event highlights:
• Sweeties and Meet/Greet from the Heresy Harlots Hospitality Team
• FREE re-usable shopping goody bags from Iron Fist Clothing
• Performances throughout from Ministry of Burlesque Movers & Shakers
• Twisted Cabaret & Poledancing performances
• Club DJs providing music throughout
• Walkabout Magic & Freakshow Performances

If you are in North or North-west England, don't hesitate in coming to have a look. These sort of events are usually rare up north with the exclusion of the Whitby Gothic Weekend.
I;ll be showcasing both my clothing and jewellery!

Gothic make-up tips: smokey eyes (Part 2)

I received a comment recently from Amanda (the author of a very good makeup tutorial credited on my previous smokey eyes post) to update the link. However, I had a look at it and it actually adds more to the previous post so I am not going to change it but show you the updated link she's sent me. It is a completely new post with a new video. You decide which tutorial you prefer to follow. I find both of them very helpful.

http://neeshu.com/women-girls-zone/how-to-make-smokey-eyes-dark-eye-shadow.html

Happy 100th anniversary, Charles Addams!

The american cartoonist known for his particularly dark humour and macabre characters would have been 100 years old today, being born the 7th of January, 1912.
Google commemorates his bday with a funny logo of his iconic "family".

I love the original newspaper cartoons and I loved the films (the ones with Angelica Houston and Christina Ricci, note!). Who was your favourite character? I loved Morticia (as a fashion icon) but my favourite was Wednesday. 

Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad!