Your Fantasy Costume

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 coo

Another example,  they’re super cute!

so go and grab one from LUNA RANA top HATS. I saw them, they’re great, xmas at the corner, c´mon!!

Still unsure…?

There’s another lovely shop called Silver leaf Costumes that features some delightful top hats too. I’d this one in Steampunk style.  They also have some lovely mini hats and are lovely too. So complete your research with this SILVER LEAF COSTUMES top HATS. I think among this two stores you can find one that fits your style, mood and head!!

Above: Steampunk hat from Silver leaf

And my favourite from them . I think I’m still more on my leprechaun side . I certainly wouldn’t mind to have one of these (listed also in lovely red)

They all looked like Mad-Hatters in a lovely way and I couldn’t get out the poster of upcoming Tim Burt0ns Alice in Wonderland movie. Sure this girl is going to increase the sales of her hats by the time the movie is out.

Above: Picture from Tim Burton’s  upcoming movie Alice in Wonderland

If you want to go on investigating that line. He  looks weird huh? I sort of love the make up so…

This is a make up tutorial to mimic the Mad Hatter´s from Tim Burton’s next upcoming Alice in Wonderland movie. By the way for the tutorial they’re using “glamour doll eyes” eyeshadow that I certainly recommend as they have some striking color mineral eye shadows.

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.

Masks  (traditionally made of leather or papier-mache) have always been a central feature of the venetian carnival; traditionally people were allowed to wear them between the festival of Santo Stefano ( December 26) at the start of the carnival season and midnight of Mardi Grass (Tuesday). They have always been around Venice. As masks were also allowed  during Ascension and from October 5 to Christmas, people could spend a large proportion of the year in disguise. Maskmakers (mascherari) enjoyed a special position in society.

Portale di venezia This is another website that offers information and historic background about the Carnival of Venice and the masquerades.

Venetian Masks Shop offer a wide range of superior Venetian Carnival Masks to wear and suit your individual requirements at sensible prices. Their  Venetian maskmakers (Italian: mascareri) are all based in Venice and provide us with the highest quality handmade Venetian masks. Many of which follow a long history of excellence and skilled craftsmanship that has been passed on from generation to generation. This websites features one of the most extensive collection of models I’ve found on the net and you can complete your search with some accessories like three horned hats, capes and hooded cloaks.The website also includes a section telling about the history of the maks.

For people based in UK I recommend  masks of venice where  you can find also the typical cloaks, gold and silver sticks and some models inspired in movies like the phantom of the opera

If you happen to be in Italy and want to opt for renting an accurate replica of a masquerade garment, from wig and mask to shoes, you can have a look to this site called Marega. To look for more garments in this XVIII style please have a look to our previous article about Marie Antoinette and rococo

Another recommended website is maskitalia.

In Ebay  you can find a wealth of affordable models too,  but also  some one of a kind items as well Have a look to Venetian masks on ebay

In particular in ebay  I’d recommend and highlight  the store Venice Buy, it has masks that are very expensive, but they’re certainly unique, some even with oil paintings with Venice scenes. This shop really has a collection of very unusual venetian masks like the ones below.

As there are so many resources about them, we’ll update this article very soon in an organic way.  So bookmark it to know when it expands.

I 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.

to get this wonderful result or whichever your imagination renders

This is another simple tutorial I found in save on crafts and also this other one in Forever wed focused in circlets for brides and flowergirls, this other in the princess portal

If you’re just too lazy (LOL) or you’re in a hurry  this is an ebay store  called Kcfairy with cute and quite affordable ones, not to say I find them rather cheap for the detail they have

Above: example of crown in Kcfairy ebay store

You can also check these others made by Art of wings (we covered it in a previous article), they’re simpler but not because of that less cute.

Above: example of Art of Wings Faery Crown

One of my favourite places for this is our previously covered  “Hairlooms” article. You can see an example of this wonderful crafted headpieces below. The site worth a visit if only to gather some ideas as they’re simply gorgeous.

Above: example of Hairlooms headpiece

This is a picture of one I did myself for a photo shoot of my song “the long way”. I used some fake branches and only brown, yellows and reds to provide an “autumn” look. I used wire to tie all the pieces to the tiara and after that I used ribbon and fabric straps to wrap  and smooth the possible wire endings that could scratch my head and make it more comfortable or you can use the stem wrap floral tape too. I use fake faux flowers but you can try drying leaves and flowers  and try to do the same, but they’re more delicate if travelling. So yep, that one below is me with my attempt of an “autumn crown”.  I added too some matching golden and red beads with the wire aside from the leaves and flowers and sometimes I even add feathers (check this previous article to buy all sorts of feathers).  Right now i’m working making a matching “leaf-mask”  but that will come in an upcoming article.

Another recommended site is Avalon Fantasy like the one below:

Above: me with my own handcrafted autumn crown

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. Most of it is custom made to order within 6 to 8 weeks or you can surf in what is already available in catalog, or meet the artist self in the upcoming scheduled events of the company. Either way, it is really worth a look. It has circlets, crowns (that actually look out of a fairytale book), earrings and all sorts of unique items that will delight you.