A Little To-Do List...

This is more of a physical notating of what I aim to at least start over Christmas, but it's always good to let others know of your plans as it helps speed you along if you drop behind!

Another Expo is creeping up on me already, though I'd say it's a good thing considering it's not for me! Goal number one is to start a Blood Dupre costume from 'Alice In The Country Of Hearts' for a friend for May. As far as I'm aware it's just the coat and waistcoat I need to take care of, and considering I'm just finishing a waistcoat in tailoring it's a perfect excuse to practise!

Goal number two...make myself a corset! This is probably down to the fact that the corset I'm currently making will go to the costume store at Uni so I'm sure I deserve my own one! The tough part will be choosing the material - green leather or silver fleur-de-lis?

Number three? At least consider making a sack-back dress. Once again for myself. I have plans~~~...

Anything beyond is probably a bonus. I know my Dad and sister's boyfriend both want waistcoats made for them too - more work, more practise...horray!

New Year...and Expo?

First things first, here's to starting second year! (Cheers!).

Second year is BRILLIANT. Wonderful. Awesome. You get the picture. Shooting straight in with corset making (18th Century, one) and tailoring (waistcoat, one). I can at least say that my path towards a job is steadily starting to narrow, which is actually a good thing!
Walking towards more good things, I've had my second lot of work experience! Alterations for Atma Dance...sure, there was alot of unpicking and an impossible lean towards bias binding, but it was a long worth-while process! (Plus I got a new contact out of it...huzzah!).

...and Expo! Things went smoothly, considering I ditched my Alexiel cosplay at the last minute to go as Susan Sto-Helit from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. Whilst I have only watched the TV specials that Sky had to offer I have finally obtained the majority of the series (thanks, Dad, for not selling them!). As an almost tribute to not only a wonderful series but also my Father, I chose Susan. Thankfully, all I needed to do was stick on a corset, get a wig and borrow my sister's clothes!As much as I tried to avoid the Sky version of Susan in The Hogfather, it kinda helped I guess!

Bun- yes. Edwardian- possibly. Smug- ?! What the hell?! Do your skirt up!

Oh well, At least I tried! The highlights stood out more than May's Expo...but still, only a handful caught my eye.Yup, that's a Dalek!

World Of Warcrafters, if I'm not mistaken...
Warhammerers! I think I was most impressed by these guys.

A Summary. Enjoy.

Well...what an eventful Summer it's been...yet I feel as though I've accomplished so little! My plan to do lots of sewing has shrunk to two projects (somewhat overtaken by my other plan to get a job, resulting in me working 4/5 days or nights a week where - frankly - all I want to do after working on a bar for at least 5 hours is sit with a glass of wine or something slightly stronger!). My goal to buy various books to aid my course was taken over by saving up to go to Prague in July (£500 should cover it), and on top of it I got no week of a crazy road trip with the boyfriend...I'm rubbish at sticking to plans!
As for the two sewing projects, at least my completed one was successful! I'm one dress up in my wardrobe now, and while I recieved more than enough help whilst making it, it was nice to have a reminder on how to do things properly (yes, I probably HAVE forgotten a considerable amount over summer, whoops!).

Success!

Next up is a more miniature project for London Expo, another dress but this time a bit more of a simple make. As much as I'd love to make an underbust corset from scratch, I'll just make do with covering the one I already own and pulling together some straps and whatnot. Hey, I already own the PVC gloves and stockings, and with a pair of boots I'm almost be halfway!
...don't talk to me about the wings though, I'll cry over those later!

Angel Sanctary's Alexiel...eep!

Summer is almost up, back to Uni in two weeks! Happy times!

Summer Plans!

Ok, so I have now entered the wonderful stage of SUMMER...meaning finding a job and trying extremely hard not to spend all of the money I earn from it. Horray.
One of the best things about this Summer though is that I'm currently helping out cutting out fabrics for costumes for the Hillingdon Dance Theatre Company (the name of which I've probably just gotten wrong) for my friend Lucy and her Mum. Tons of fun, lots of work to get done for a show in a week's time! Hopefully I can get some photos taken of the work I've done, and I'll get a reference by the end of it! Sorted!

In other news, here's Ben Kenobi. (Here for no reason other than this image of him looks a bit like my dad).

I've been on a Star Wars rave recently...especially after watching the newer trilogy I have decided to at some point attempt to replicate one of the costumes. To push myself, maybe try an Amadala/Padme costume. Who knows. Maybe Summer will be a push to make cosplay outfits. I had planned to make the three good fairies/Maleficent costumes from Sleeping Beauty for October, and while money and time issues put me off I'm considering attempting it once more...that or just making the one costume for myself!

Expo Overview

Ok, so Expo was pretty damn awesome. Sure, it's gotten pretty repetative after six years of going, but it's worth it to meet and greet - especially if it's people yo haven't seen for a while.
There may not have been that many costumes that I found absolutly amazing, but the ones I did find were pretty awesome, and I'm sure can be used to stir up an idea or two! The Steampunkness was pretty much the highlight costume-wise for me.

Preperations!

So...my doublet was magically chosen for the Ballroom of Illusions! 'How', I do not know - I'd prefer to guess that the colour and size fitted the new actor better than any of the other choices...
Either way, I gave myself two days to do any alterations and rather happily gave in my work today...it's just prop making to go until the big show!!
With London Expo looming in a couple of days, I've set myself the target of finding some amazing cosplays to inspire myself!! (Insert determination sparks here). Watch this space!!

Chancer's Project (apologies for crappy quality images!)

I got roped into a little design project recently - to design the clothing and general look of the 'riot-police' for Sophie. The first rule was 'smart, but not suits'. After putting together three initial ideas (see below), the next step was a thought of 'we like the idea of riot police and the armor', and so the image above was created! I tried to create three very different images and styles for each design, which made it more interesting when it came to combining the ideas. Designing is fun...I must do me some more! A very Military design. The little doodle in the corner desribes my reasoning for it! Looking at a more anonymous design, also a more natural intimidation though the hood. Again, using the anonymous look, leaning more towards a 'gang' look, introducing the use of 'cyber punk' armour. (Favourite part? The spiked wheel boots! I was looking at a way for them to use claws to get about, rather than flat feet.)

Bonjour! Part 2

So I guess a bit more of an introduction is necessary. Questions, questions, questions!

WTF is with the Blog title?

It comes from the song 'Dogfight' by MOVE. My lyrics in English are 'If there's just a moment to shine, I don't care'. Freedom. Taking every chance you can. Success. Inspirational for me at least!

Costume, huh? Uh, why?

The funny thing is, I always saw mysef as a graphics or photography person. I did 'Digital' Art from year 10 onwards as I sure as hell couldn't paint or draw well. The only link to costume that I can just about muster at this time is cosplay - since I was 13 I'd piece together costumes for various characters from video games and Janapese anime, only making the smallest items of clothing myself, the rest sources from charity shops and my sister!
It was during Sixth Form that I first encountered using textiles in work. Whatever her name was, I must be grateful for the textile artist that visited, showing how she created textile installations. After enjoying the small workshop she offered I thought to myself 'do I really want to be stuck playing on photoshop for the rest of my life?' To open up more oppurtunities for myself I chose to do a Foundation course in Bournemouth - the best move I could ever make.
In that year I moved completly to the opposite scale of Art and Design. I took a textile pathway halfway through the year, and descovered the costume degree. Not wanting to be restricted by the Fashion course, I joined the legion of Costume...and I'm loving it!
...the only sad part is that I had to choose between making and designing. Better marks and more to learn in making? Yes please.

Is that it?

...not really. I originally was inspired to design and make clothing in an alternative image (unfortunatly much like my own personal taste of clothing). I was spurred on by the costumes used by styles like Steampunk, Burlesque, the amazing works of Antiseptic Fashion and (most prominently) various music videos:

IAMX - President
Christina Aguilera - Fighter
My Chemical Romance - Welcome To The Black Parade
Marilyn Manson - The Nobodies
Marilyn Manson - mOBSCENE
P!nk - Funhouse

To me all of these examples aren't really a case of bizarre fashion - arguably they can be seen as performance, or costume if you will! I wanted to create something like these examples - something special. While I've pretty much branded myself a maker, hopefully I can still allow myself to experiment more!

Aaaand that's it. Apologies for the essay. Any more questions?

Finished!

So after a long, long night of constant working (besides the odd deserved break) I finished my doublet! Time to copy and paste from my DA...

My final project for my first year was based around Poe's 'Mask Of The Red Death'. We split into several groups - gender, year (ranging from 1450-1650) and colour, and had to create a 'modern' representation of the design to be possibly worn for the final costume show - The Ballroom Of Illusions. I was given male, 1550's, blue. The overall look was supposed to be 'rocker'/general hardened male type, but I wanted to add a bit more sophistication - the design was originally based for the character of Prince Prospero, so this fitted perfectly.
I can pick out a million things that are probably wrong with this doublet, but hey it's my first attempt at making a proper costume piece from scratch!

*ahem* This was also a fine opportunity to commission the amazing Chan to create the narrative shown on the back of my doublet...amazing, no?

Bonjour?

I'd like to tell myself that making this blog right-at-this-moment is incredibly important, however that would be a lie; this is, of course, a way to waste time before my costume deadline in, oh, 7 and a half hours? I will spend this tiny little break to greet whoever happens to come across this tiny blog of costume nonsense, and will introduce myself:

My name is Rebecca, though on a blog that only I will be writing in I felt that 'Moi' would suffice. Childish? Maybe. I digress. I am currently working towards the final stages of my first year of 'Costume And Set Design For Performance' or something along those lines (ie. procastinating finishing my work before hand-in).
I will be using this blog to record the work I have completed, as well as making a note of anything that I find inspiring...oh, and I shall also be using this as an excuse to pretty much talk to myself - it feels alot easier writing all of this rubbish if you trick yourself into believing that someone will actually read it...

...but who knows! Maybe I'll be lucky, I'm sure someone will stumble across this and ask 'what in the blazes is she on about?!'
Or something along those lines.

I shall now excuse myself - hook and eyes don't sew themselves, you know.