Your Fantasy Costume

Falconrose is a delightful collection of leather hand crafted masks, the site and the style of the masks themselves reminds us of ancient times and mediaeval tapestries…  The site is not only worth because of the wonderful masks they make, but also becuase of the throrough description of the creatures that makes it interesting enough even if just only for reading about the myths and legends that inspired them.

The Otherworld collection, featuring the Mythical creatures (unicorns, fauns and dragons) and Gods and Goddesses collection (some of which have references to greek, mediaeval and even

The Woods collection (feature feathered, furred and  the Green beings collection). Here we can find wolves, raven and corvids, some stunning owl masks  and all sort of dryad and green man masks, some of which are really amazing.

(up: Raven mask from “The Woods” collection)

The Court, it divides as well in two mini collections, The Unseelie court  featuring a darker side  of magical creatures not friendly for human eings like  goblins, the wood witch, or an absolutely gorgeous Medusa mask (see below), and other more faeric called The Seelie court featuring some beautiful butterfly inspired design as well.

(above: Medusa mask from the Court Unseelie collection)

Zizzy fay is a lovely collection of fairy inspired clothing. You can design unique outfits by combining different layers of silks and natural fibres in your favorite colours. For ethically made party dresses, wedding attire, casual wear and clubbing gear that emphasise the elemental, goddess or fairy  within. I’d highlight the sleeves that you can purchase in different colours and combine with dresses, silk corsets and tops. This is a very smart idea as you can use them as an extra and interexchange from one combination to another.  But the site also offers some wings  along with some other  accesories as well. It also features a nice collection of pixie wear for men too and a couture service for wedding garments made to measure.  Colour patters go from white and ivory raw  silk to green and brown earthy tones.

I also love the fairy skirts and tops (look above) specially in the green combinations,  they have a insect-like air that mimic perfectly the creatures of the forest.
And of course the hooded (see “priestress dress” design” in the picture below) designs and  some lovelycoats that could be perfectly used as “fairy” casual wear as well.

What kind of fairy are you..?

Isis is a Goddess of Ancient Egyptian mythology  and  often is  represented with this wings… thus the name of “isis wings” commonly used in bellydance. But even if you’re not a dancer, this element will make your costume astounding!! A fairy, a goddess… its movement and ethereality is amazing.

In one of my performance I shared the stage with my friends the Karinae Tribal troupe and as I use an opaque black isis wings they went on with organza black ones… of course they were amazing with them….! and I fell in love with these wings. In this picture you can see me performing with the Karinae wearing the isis wings.

Souldancewings isis wings gallery (based in Canada), i’m in love with the dragonfly model, they have different colours in organza, a bit pricy but looks wonderful. This is my favourite, I’d love to see them flowing on stage.

Audrena Isis Wings, she has an amazing range, shimmery and large, they’re a bit pricy (around 150 $)  but  check the pictures at her site, they’re absolutely fabulous.

Here’s another shop with affordable prices and wings in lame and organza called Bellydance with K Boutique

In ebay there are some affordable and in rather lovely colors in the store world of Bellydance. Click in the picture to visit the store. They’re about 50 $ each plus shipping.

Ebay also lists the most classic models of isis wings. Usually made of shimmering gold or silver metallic fabric. I’m really more fond of organza and opalescent less striking models though a basic if you want to go for a “egytptian goddess” look

I might be getting eventually a pair for my show in green organza, and white and black are on my wish list too (sigh). They’re just so lovely! Though I guess the best thing would be to get the great advantage of this wonderful item and try to get them move as they’re intended to… I admit I’m no good dancer… but there are dvds and youtube is plenty of tutorials.  Below I give you the link to  a DVD with tutorials.

I finish this article with one of the many videos you’ll find in youtube to show them in movement. this one in particularly is badly recorded but i thought the performance was rather ghostly and inspiring.

Example video:

If you’re good at sewing there’s a tutorial here with  instructions and pattern… I’m sorry but it’s only in spanish, still you can see and follow the diagrams.