Headpieces

Above: Ancient leaves neck torc

Topsy Turvy design: Costume accesories  for film, stage, and play

Last Faeriecon (a fantasy fairy convention taking place each year in the east coast, in which by the way I've been performer myself the latest two years)  some of my friends from band Woodland and Faun where showing off their fancy top hats...  Hmm  I should have followed the clues into "Luna Rana" stand but it was way too hectic for me to visit the booths then, and now I'm trying to catch up with all the cool stuff that I missed :). I saw this lovely top hats close, so I can tell you they're the best quality! and they really look cool

The venetian masks always cause a double impact. The first time I saw the movie "Into the labyrinth" I was fascinated by the Masquerade Ball scene where Jareth (see previous article about Labyrinth's goblin king)  and Sarah dances. It all had a magical,  elegant yet slightly decadent  look. There's something in the venetian masks that fascinates us and also can awake a slight sense of horror too. The Carnival of Venice  o Carnevale di Venezia ( read wikipedia article for in detail historic information) will take place next February in Venice (Italy) but throughout the year the masks and its symbolism have become part of every masquerade ball and fantasy party and meetings.

How to make your own floral garlandI love making floral headpieces myself, they're useful for your dryad, fairy or nymph dress, and a common element for your masquerade ball or performing garment, not to say also a key element for a wedding or flowergirl dress, thus   surfing the net to polish my technique I found some tutorials you might find worth. Making them is inexpensive and you can unleash your imagination choosing a palette of colors and designing  them to fit the seasons or the color of your garments. Also you  can make smaller versions for a ponytail and add some ribbon steamers and other ornaments to make it stand out.

Parrish Relics specializes in symbolic and spiritual jewelry created with the elements of resilient clay, stained glass, semi-precious stones, scented resins, and glass vessels, finished with the handpainted patinas of antiqued silver or gold finish for a romantic, aged presence. Jen Parrish Online store has been working since 1996, sending original designs around the world and has been featured in some tv and film works.

Above: Dragon mask

Mythical masks is a website that features a large collection of handmade  leather masks inspired in fantasy perfect for masquerade balls, ren faires and fantasy festivals. Masks come in different categories and collections from birds (raven, owls, peacock and more), animals, dragons (western or oriental) to elementals,  mermaid and ocean inspired, green men and fairy inspired masks. 

Above: "Lady of the lake" model

Alassie Angelines is a spanish designer that specializes in historical garments. She created her own company called "El Costurero Real" delivering accurate replicas of medieval garments of a very high quality, using materials, dyes, and jewelry but adding also her own interpretation of the characters she recreate.   She's won several prizes and is making her  own way working for several cinema projects. Her blog offers also tutorials and articles of overall interest for any lover of fantasy or historical garments... so if you are going to attend a ren fair, you´d better have a look at it (so far it's only in spanish) but illustrated enough to be easily read with an online translator.

There is just SO MUCH about this period and style that this is the first of quite a few articles around this topic... Still we had to start some point and here we are. Recently, Sophia Coppola's aproachment to this character (performed in the movie by Kirsten Dunst) in  Marie Antoinette drew new attention to it and The Rococo period (late 18th century) rendered really the most flamboyant, colorful and beautiful dresses in fashion history. A tight bodice right with a front stomacher to enhance women's sihouettes and ahem!... generous sexy generous breasts, along with a wide skirt with the proper side panniers and petticoat.

Hats, artificial flowers, ribbons... More and more ornaments almost sinfully. If you want a custom made  "Marie Antoinette" corset  you can order it in Bibian Blue's shop. Based in Barcelona, we previously covered this designer in an article, aside of the collection that you can find on her website, she can also make a custom order for you. I have a rococo black corset for my performances that I certainly love (pics coming soong ;-)

An affordable option is this one, the seller offers it in different colours at around 300$