Your Fantasy Costume Articles
Sugar Skull Makeup ideas and tutorials: El Día de Los Muertos
El Dia de Los Muertos ( read Day of the Dead in wikipedia) is a Mexican holiday that takes place 2nd of November a couple of days after Halloween in which the families visit the graves of their beloved ones and make offerings to the dead including sweets in the shape of a skull with multicoloured icing and ornaments and placing them in altars for the deceased. Often there is a procession to the graveyard often wearing this traditions sugar skull make up. It's become also iconic in tribal bellydancers these time of the year, and somehoe a rather popular easy option as Halloween characterization.
All you need is some examples, make up (mostly black, white, red and blue) and rhinestones. And a great deal of patience to be creative (and symmetric LOL)
Below a video by my friend Klaire Delys that teach you how to make an easy "Catrina" Easy sugarskull make up.
You can complete your attire adding a floral garland or headpiece, with roses and other colourful flowers, wether faux or natural.
Below you have a link to instructables where you can see how to paint yourself step by step
http://www.instructables.com/id/Sugar-Skull-Makeup-Tutorial-1/
Nebula X: floral headpieces for all seasons
Nebula X is a store based in Spain that specializes in floral garlands and fairy headpieces. Vibrant and colourful and practically available in any combination of hues, from the earlthly browns and oranges of brown to the sultry and luscious red of the roses. Some of the pieces are massive and eye striking with a marked "Art Noveau" flair into them. The store also features some pieces that could be considered more "gothic" featuring black veils, feathers, chains or beads. Some of the pieces could be even tagged as tribal, perfect for bellydancers and other performers looking for dramatic effects. The pieces are one of a kind and handmade
You can also network with the crafter in facebook https://www.facebook.com/nebulaxcrafts where you can see pictures of commissioned works, wips and happy customers. :)
Really lovely option to pick a fairy crown and go and dance barefoot in a field full of blooms
Halloween is a time for Witches Hats... from simple to complex...
Halloween is closer and closer :)
One of the most popular choices as Halloween costume :) is to dress like a witch (and not only for Oz and Wicked fans). No you don't have to paint your face green if you don't wish, but the pointy hat is rather iconic, and if worn well a rather funny element you can customize easily. Thus said, in almost every local store you could find you will find super cheap basic options then you can "make yours" adding feathers, charms, ragged ribbons and other ornaments of your choice.
Ebay offer some basic hats to start with like these Witches Hats
If you prefer something more subtle there are plenty of "mini-witch-hats" as hairpins or headbands with small hats attached, you can find plenty of models in ebay at really affordable prices, and during Halloween season almost in every local accessories store. Then add feathers, trims and some imagination and you can get a pretty decent custom work.
If you need something of a higher quality already ready to wear you can try some handmade (more expensive but lovelier options) If you prefer more elaborated and handmade items you can also find many shops and crafters offering hats
Below: Black and white Witches hat with skull by the shop Jillie Cat Creations
Above: witch hat with leather and feathers by The Blonde Swan
If you are in the mood of something pore pixie-like something more pagan and earthly, have a look to this lovely pointy hat, I love the spiral it reminds me a bit to Burton's fantasies but also the folds reminds me to a caterpillar and it is somehow very "organic" too. If you're more on the pixie side the crafter .. offer it in other colours.
Finally if you have some time and you want to try things on your own here are some tutorials and links you might find useful:
How to make mini witch-hat (diagram and drawings included) with felt and carton
-http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=363040.0
-Make a witch hat (any size) article by Delia Creates blog
http://www.deliacreates.com/make-witch-hat-in-any-size-tutorial/
Sock Dreams... any sock you could dream of! socks, socks, socks!
Above: some Halloween seasonal special socks by Sock Dreams
Socks, socks, socks...! :) No cold feet and no boring feet allowed!
I am a lover of odd socks, fantasy socks, colourful, mismatched, weird socks. And why not, sometimes they can be the "touch" of fantasy your daily wear needs, or even a nice complement for your fantasy costume. So now that Halloween season is approaching (again, and we love it right!) this shop SOCK DREAMS based in Portland (Oregon) offers a massive collection of socks features also some lovely seasonal models :) just right for that special night, and daring autumn/winter models. I'm the lucky owner of some socks as some of my friends in Oregon gifted me some very daring pairs a while back! :)
And they don't only feature standard socks but also colourful stripes (almost in every hue you can imagine and also rainbow-like) and lace socks perfect for steampunk and gothic attires.
Halloween is not the only reason you need to wear stiped socks by the way... but orange and black is super cute, right?
I also like the fact they always change their logo to fit the season... now that Halloween is close then...
You can also network with them to be updated with new additions to their catalogue in:
Direct contact to order(at)sockdreams.com
Freckles Fairy Chest teach you how to make fairy wings: DIY tutorial
We have covered "Freckles Fairy Chest" before in yourfantasycostume.com. Ashley Freckles runs a lovely store full of magical fairy and fantasy accessories, you know right? if not you can check that article back :). This tutorial is in the same fashion to the one we had previously shared in this other article, but seems easier to me. I always have problems in the wire structure part but I'm encouraged to try again! Don´t get rid of those old knee highs ! And now watch lovely Ashley teaching what to do with them! I will update this video when I can make a set in green or autumn colors. Thanks for Sharing!
Gekko Bohotique based in Camden London. Lovely pixie-fairy wear
Long wrap skirt with open layered panels.
Made of cotton crepe, lace and crochet.
Removable side
- See more at: http://www.gekkobohotique.com/paneled-steampunk-skirt#sthash.aWNCFtef.dpufLong wrap skirt with open layered panels.
Made of cotton crepe, lace and crochet.
Removable side
- See more at: http://www.gekkobohotique.com/paneled-steampunk-skirt#sthash.aWNCFtef.dpuf
Above: Lovely pixie skirt made of cotton crepe and crochet with removable pockets. Perfect for pixies and Steampunk Green Fairies.
Gekko Bohotike is a lovely store based in London, United Kingdom (oh god, how I do miss London! :) that specializes in lovely pixie-fairy boho urban wear. :) Yes there are a lot of articles of this kind of clothing in yourfantasycostume I know, but that's because this is my favorite style for a daily wear, :) to be fairies and pixies in disguise! just mingling with normal people but still showing hints of our pixie-nature. :)
I love the collection of clothing and accessories, specially the layered pixie skirts, tops and dresses with points and asymmetrical edges. There is something very earthly and unpolished in this kind of clothing that makes you root to nature even if you step on a dull city floor.
Below: cute leave armwarmers
For steampunk-lovers they have all sorts of utility belts :). And also for fairy ones some useful pocket belts
You can also contact Gekko in their physical address
207 Chalk Farm Rd
Camden, London
NW1 8AB
info@gekkobohotique.com
And you can also network with them in facebook here
II EUROSTEAMCON in Barcelona: Largest Steampunk European convention
Above: Illustration of the II EuroSteamcon made by Nekro and portraying Felix Goggles
After the great success this event had last year, here they can again, next 27th of September, all full of gears and steam the second yearly Steampunk convention and Fair "EUROSTEAMCON". The former train station Estacio del Nord will be taken by Steampunk lovers all over the city. Music, fashion, stands, market, photoshoots, contests and lots of fun guaranteed!
Ticket: 2 Eur (affordable huh?). Get dressed in your better Steampunk garments and join th e adventure. More info at http://eurosteamconbcn.com
We hope to edit this article with some picture gallery of the attendants :)
and below you can watch the trailer
Under the Ivy... delicate treasures for fairy queens! Wings, garlands and accessories
Under the Ivy is a store that specializes in faerie inspired products, from wings to accessories, all handmade and exuding an out of this world delicacy. You can find the store in etsy . The crafter Helen , based in United Kingdom is a textile and surface designer with a love for faerie folk and all things magical with a gift for creating things ethereal, iridescent and delicate. I particularly love the necklaces and jewellery featuring pale wings. They are so elegant and unique! I loved for example this one , wings are not real but made of "plactic, magic and glitter" as she states in the description, so even better knowing no animal parts were used in the making of process. The earrings, rings, hair ornaments and other accessories featuring delicate transparent insect wings are otherwordly and amazing... that´s all I can say while I crave for them... so better judge by the pictures :)
And look at this ring
... isn't it just magical?
Victorian Choice: Civil War, Period Clothing, Lolita and more!
Above: Marie Antoinette styled rococo gown made by Victorian Choice. A perfect follow up and addition to our previous rococo garments article.
Victorian Choice, based in Redmond, USA, specializes in designing and making historically inspired dresses and gowns. Whether you're looking for a Victorian dress, a Civil War gown, a Renaissance, Lolita or even other costume for your themed ball, wedding or event, you've come to the right store. The dresses are beautiful dresses and will transport you to another time and place. Good thing they are also affordable and have a rather large catalogue to choose from. Some blouses and dresses would fit perfectly also for Steampunk or Gothic lovers as they include gorgeous bustle skirts and period pieces. They make all sizes from XS to XXXL They design their own dresses. The reason that the pictures here appear watermarked is so you know that these are made by Victorian Choice and no other, so we respect the watermark, as they have claimed some other non licit sellers to use their pictures to sell their gowns. They even have some white models that would be lovely for an alternative bride.
Above Renaissance Velvet Regal Queen Period Dress Collared Ball Gown Reenactment. I love the standing ruff of this one :)
Above: striped gothic gown, somehow it reminded me to Tim Burton´s Sleepy Hollow :)
Above: Victorian French bustle dress. Perfect also for Steampunk lovers.
You can also network in
Victorian Choice Official website
Victorian Choice Official facebook page
Below: Civil Wall Southern Belle styled gown
Talismana Designs: urban tribal style, wearable and "fantastic"!
Based in USA Talismana Designs is a eclectic collection of handmade clothing and accessories that ranges from fantasy-elvish pixie wear to steampunk and dystopian fantasies. :) They have a store in etsy, and the best description I can make is that you visit the site and surf among the listings. They have lovely steampunk bloomers (some even daring for burlesque lovers) and bustle skirts, pixie-elvish wear and even tribal and fairy jewellery :) It has a fusion "vibe" ongoing in the entire collection.
Above: steampunk victorian bustle skirt belt (it ties to the waist) and matching bloomers). This one in brown but also available in other colours like green (for absynthe or green fairies)
I absolutely fell in love with this adjustable leaf pocket belt. It looks so pixie-elvish and so useful too :). Or maybe it is because I've been a bit obsessed with greens and earthly tones lately and I keep on losing my keys too, :) bookmarked! They have also other utility belts in other colours and moods, in blacks or more steampunk-ish brown :) They also have fairy skirts and earrings with organic shapes, some inspired in fossils or plants. Very organic and faery-like.
Bellow some examples of their accessories.
I loved these earrings, it's a mix of an unfurling fern and ammonite fossil.
Above super-amazing necklace with raven skull replicas. I like the fact that they use replicas and not real bones. Perfect for costumes of sorcerers, very tribal and pagan looking :)
They also welcome to network in their facebook page at
www.facebook.com/talismanadesigns
