This gallery contains 16 photos.
Stepping outside of Maya’s space-shuttle car, the first thing that fell upon my eyes was… … and I knew instantly – rainbow, cowboy, truck stickers – yes ladies and gents, I had finally made it to the gay rodeo! On … Continue reading
This gallery contains 37 photos.
This year the Denver PrideFest once again exceeded expectations with a crowd of thousands lining the streets of Colfax and invading Civic Center Park. As stated on their website, this Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender event in June is “…recognized … Continue reading
The 2011 Paper Fashion Show in Denver, the night Crystal and I have been eagerly awaiting a month for, final happened last Thursday, March 24th. With a mixture of emotions and thoughts coursing through us, we somehow survived and emerged wanting more, and more, and more!
“More paper fashion, please.”
To put it lightly, what an amazing experience it was! As a first time design team (Declined 4 Edits), Crystal and I showed up at City Hall not knowing what to expect. Twenty design teams were already upstairs on the second floor putting on makeup, getting their models to the photoshoot line, and making a lot of last-minute edits. Hot glue guns, scissors, tape, and paper scraps littered the floors and tables, making the “get ready” area tight, busy, cluttered, and on creative overload.
“Look at the technic she used!” “Wow, the pattern in that dress is amazing!” “How did you get your paper to look like metal?” “Shit, we should have went bigger and crazier Crystal.” So many thoughts overloaded my mind of what we could have done. Thankfully for Maya and Crystal, they got me back on track. Makeup and hair were the first two things on our list.
Maya Salam's makeup the night before the fashion show.
Maya Salam's makeup during the 2011 Paper Fashion Show.
Compared to the night before, our makeup changed the day of the show. Instead of working the red baby doll lips, we opted for gold glitter lips on Maya, to off set the large, black looking vinyl glossy eye makeup that gave a dripping effect down her face.
Hair wise, since we didn’t have time to finish our awesome beaded hoodie, her “warrior” look had to be comprised with a high pony tail that unfortunately hid her beautiful blue streaked hair.
Next on the list was putting Maya in the paper outfit, which fit like a glove. After Velcroing her into the bustier and skirt, there was only one thing standing in our way. The outfit was made to fix her exactly, but with one exception… last-minute, the night before, we decided to place the gold paper accordion folded belt under the bustier and skirt. Unfortunately for us, I didn’t make enough room for it to fit, and the belt bunched up above the skirt, looking, well, in my words from the night “Absolutely horrible! Take it off!” Yes, I had a designer stress moment. Once again, Maya brought me back down.
With only two options, letting her walk down the runway showing off her midriff or adding the gold belt on the outside of her outfit, we opted for the second. With her bustier and skirt on, belt in place, spats over her shins, and gold saddles on, we were ready for the photoshoot, runway, and a drink. Haha!
The pictures below are of Maya right before she hit the runway, backstage. I got a little crazy with the black eye, and the drips turned massive. But Maya rocked it on the runway!
Maya modeling Declined 4 Edits paper bustier.
Crystal making some last-minute edits to our hexagon designed paper dress.
Maya modeling declined4edits outfit at the 2011 ADCD Paper Fashion Show.
Edits made after the show:
Cut and painted the short paper sleeves.
For seven years running the Art Directors Club in Denver has been hosting a creative fashion-centric event that combines creativity, fashion, and paper. Fashion designers and creatives from around the city embark on a month long project to make an outfit out of paper (supplied by xpedx®) for Denver’s Paper Fashion Show.
With each paper outfit being auctioned off at the end of the night, the money raised at this charity event will benefit the Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA), a local community organization that provides after-school art programs for at-risk youths.
After starring at my sister’s flyer for the 2010 Paper Fashion Show for a year, last December it hit me that this was exactly the type of fashion crafts project I had been looking for.
Teaming up with my fashion muse, Crystal Fattor, we join the creative minds of Denver to produce a one of a kind paper outfit that ties in our creative minds and fashion love.
What: Paper Fashion Show
When: March 24, 2011 – 6:00 pm social hour 7:30 pm showtime
Where: City Hall 1144 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Tickets: $35 for General Admission and $65 for VIP seating by the stage.
Photos from last year (press kit):
2010's winner
Compared to may earlier predictions, one would think that the Costume Designer Guild Awards last week disappointed me, but in actuality the award show presented some amazing costume designers with well deserved awards. Competition was stiff, and the following designers in film were awarded these prestigious wins.
Excellence in Contemporary Film: “Black Swan” – Amy Westcott
Excellence in Period Film: “The King’s Speech” – Jenny Beavan
Excellence in Fantasy Film: “Alice in Wonderland” – Colleen Atwood
Tonight at the Oscars, some films from above and some films not mentioned will compete for the distinguished award of being named best in Costume Design by the Academy Awards. Nominees for this award include the following:
Colleen Atwood for “Alice in Wonderland,” A Walt Disney Pictures Production
Antonella Cannarozzi for “I Am Love,” A First Sun and Mikado Production
Jenny Beavan for “The King’s Speech,” A See-Saw Films and Bedlam Production
Sandy Powell for “The Tempest,” A Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films Production
Mary Zophres for “True Grit,” A Paramount Pictures Production
With the Oscars being swayed every year by winners from earlier award shows in January and February, I feel that “Alice in Wonderland” and “The King’s Speech” have the best chance at winning tonight. Although, I must admit, before I glanced at the Oscar nominations I had never heard of “The Tempest.” I still haven’t watched the movie (although it is now sitting in my Netflix’s queue), but after watching the trailer a couple of times, I must say that I am thoroughly impressed by the character design.
Even with my intense passion for period films, especially ones that take place in England (I absolutely loved “The King’s Speech”), for best in Costume Design my vote’s going to “Alice in Wonderland.”
Award season is here, and with it comes many exciting, depressing, and controversial moments. While most people can’t wait for the Academy Awards to praise their favorite movies of last year, I’m ecstatic over another film award show; the Costume Designers Guild (CDG) Awards.
This year, the 13th annual award show will announce their 2010 costume designer winners next week (February 22). While some of the nominations may sound boring, one must remember that the key to a brilliant costume designer is encompassing the characters personality and traits within their appearance. Nominee’s Jacqueline West (“The Social Network”) and Ellen Mirojnick (“Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”) may seem dull compared to Amy Westcott’s (“Black Swan”) and Michael Kaplan (“Burlesque”), but just remember, it’s not how flashy the costume is, it’s about the designer’s ability to transform an on-paper character to a real life person.
With all that said, I tend to lean towards the flashy out-of-this-world costumes. The outfits I dream of making and wearing. This year I hope the award for Excellence in Contemporary Film goes to Amy Westcott for “Black Swan,” Excellence in Period Film goes to Mary Zophres for “True Grit,” and Excellence in Fantasy Film goes to Michael Wilkinson and Christine Bieselin Clark for “TRON: Legacy.” Who doesn’t like a ballerina swan, authentic cowboys, and a hoodie that lights up?
Costumes of “Black Swan”
Costumes of “True Grit”
Costumes of “TRON: Legacy”
