Amour Fou

(Photography by Jamie Corbin)

Translation Crazy Love and the epitome of fantasy! I can't tell you how much I enjoyed Charlie Critchley Crozier's collection at Bristol Rockstyle (19/8/10) A wonderful fairytale with princes and princesses in hues of white. So of course I am dedicating a post to it! Word of warning this may be an image heavy post but they are beautiful so I hope you forgive me!

I had a rather informal chat with imaginative designer Charlie (the wonders of facebook) after the show and discovered her inspiration for the collection, her love of drawing and fantasy...

(Photography by Jon Craig)

Yes it is over!!!!!! I do feel very blue today (20/8/10) though and I really don't know what to do with myself right now. This is the worst post show depression I have ever had. I spent so long locked in a room in my fantasy bubble stitching away the creations that came into my mind that now its over and the bubble has burst I really miss it. I am however replacing that bubble with a new fantastical theme for my next show.

(Photography by Jon Craig)

Well where do I start?

(Photography by Jamie Corbin)

Amy (Miss Bristol) asked me if I would like to show a collection for her new show and as soon as she said it was for the Variety Club I instantly wanted a fairytale for adults. I have always been in my own fantasy land and I wanted to create something that can be turned into a fashion story on the stage. A mixture of fashion, acting, music and dance.

(Photography by Jamie Corbin)

I wanted something that had a splash of everything I love most, ballet, romance, romeo and Juliet, Jane Austen, Shakespeare, 60's world peace and free love (that was the idea behind the twins with a Shakespearean ruff thrown in) and every single fantasy movie I had ever seen.

(Photography by Jamie Corbin)

Whilst I stitched I imagined all my models wearing my designs inside a snow globe walking around in a dreamlike state and I told Amy what I was looking for and she helped piece my ideas together and make my dream a reality. I have a lot of Amy and Erin (the ballerina) in the designs I made for the night, they really are two wonderful magical sisters and should be an inspiration to anyone.

(Photography by Jamie Corbin)

I started by sketching all my designs on paper which took a while as I love drawing as much as creating and try and turn each design into artwork and then I looked at fabric and tried to get a feel for costs and style and the making process took about 3 months as I have orders and I have a part time job too.

(Photography by Jon Craig)

I am having my website built and its getting there slowly but surely so I will be advertising and selling one off designs through that. I have had a rush of orders come in and a few wedding dress orders. I have just got the centre spread for Eye Magazine so will be doing a shoot for that. I will hopefully be having a launch party at the end of the year and I am designing something totally new for that!!

(Photography by Jamie Corbin)

A launch party - I hope that is a guest list I can make my way on to... I really enjoy the story behind the designs as well as the designs themselves. I think Fantasy and Fashion walk hand in hand and this fairytale take on it is really pleasing! I will be paying close attention to Charlie and Amour Fou and what she does next!!

(Illustration by Charlie)

Best Wishes
Fashion Fantasist xx

Art of Darkness: Dark Angel

With the fiery Gypsy Queen, enigmatic Wolfen and dramatic Mistress of Ceremonies revealed to you, I would like now to present a beautiful, monochromatic [save for a sensual navy lip] echantress known as the Dark Angel.

A guide to any traveller thats finds them self lost between the many realms of reality, the Dark Angel inhabits a twilight world and guards the secret of destiny's path. Her beauty reflects the shadowed shades of her half-life existence, and celebrates all that is 'other'...

And what better time than to introduce our new Lipstick for Autumn Winter 2010; 'Disciple'.

This pigment-rich deep blue Lipstick is all set to be the hottest colour for the upcoming season and provides an alternative to the metallic berry Intense Lipgloss in 'Hermetic'.

'A Gladiator Brogue Hybrid'

Is how Mr Fashion Fantasist described these babies that I bought on Tuesday (24/8/10)...They are Teardrop Oxford Shoes from Urban Outfitters aaaaand I liked them so much I was very naughty on Wednesday (25/8/10) and bought the same in black!I don't really feel that bad about buying them, personally think they go with everything!

Best Wishes
Fashion Fantasist xx

Young British Designers

I am super excited!! Sorry for my lack of posting this week but I have lots to share with you so I hope it will make up for it...

But back to the excitement!! If you remember I did a guest post for the very lovely people at Young British Designers and in return received a Charlotte Taylor scarf (which I adore btw!) Welllllll here is the video for their website launch.... Which will be in the week commencing the 6th September!! Excited!!

A whole host of British designers will be involved in this website: Felicity Brown, Kinder Aggugini, Fannie Schiavoni, Simeon Farrar, Julian J Smith, Elliott J Frieze, Sophie Gittins shoes, Eudon Choi, Alice Palmer (a finalist of Fashion Fringe 2010), Swagga & Soul, J. W. Anderson (jewellery) etc etc etc!!! I really can't wait to see how the website turns out and have loved following the girls from YBD on Twitter!

It will definitely be a website to visit often and I look forward to exploring all the British designers - some that I haven't heard about which is even more exciting!

Anyway sorry for the over use of the words 'exciting' and 'excited' I just really can't wait!!

Do check out their Blog in the meantime and also follow them on Twitter and watch THIS SPACE for the website!

Speak very soon
Fashion Fantasist xx

Art of Darkness: Wolfen

The third character of the AW10 Art of Darkness to be released to you is the brooding, sensuous Wolfen.

His dark beauty is as breathtaking as it is unsettling. There is a hunger in his eyes that can never be satisfied, a lust the smoulders day and night, an intesity that demands complete submission.

Deny him at your peril.

Art of Darkness: Gypsy Queen

The latest character from the AW10 collection Art of Darkness is the gorgeous Queen of the Gypsies.




No one can resist the Queen of the Gypsyies. This alluring temptress, famed for her seductive veiled dancing, knows how to use her art to get what she wants...

Jewels, exotic perfumes, the head of a scorned love on a silver platter - there's danger to this incredible beauty.

Get The Look


Gilded skin and metallic highlights enhance the tough character of the Gypsy Queen whilst a soft red lip adds allure and the blood red sparkling nails are a reminder of her dangerous elements.

The new Nail Varnish in 'Scarab' will satisfy those who long for a deep blood red nail with a beautiful gleam. This image is just one coat...


For matching lips, try the new Intense Lipgloss in 'Hermetic'. It's an impossibly glossy deep red with a subtle sparkle...


And for those following the Nail Varnish Competiton - the tip of the Gypsy Queen is the new Nail Varnish in 'Shrapnel' - one of the winners!

COMPETITION: Win A 3 Day SOMUA Course...

Have you always wanted to attend a professionally developed make-up course led by one of the leading industry experts worth £575?

Do you fancy staying in a central London hotel with the sights, sounds and inspiration of the Big City all around you?

Here is your chance to win one of the most exciting prizes we have ever offered...


To Enter

Simply download the face chart and produce a design under the theme of "UNPREDICTABLE" by clicking below or from the Illamasqua SOMUA facebook page.

You can use make-up, paint, materials... the more creative and daring the better. Tell us all about your influences and why your design is considered "Unpredictable" and you could be in with the chance of winning this amazing prize.

Please submit your Face Chart design entry by Competition closing date: Monday September 13th 2010.


Please send entries to:

Illamasqua School of Make-up Art Competition
Illamasqua
6-8 Amwell St
London
EC1R 1UQ

Or you can scan in your entry and send it to school@illamasqua.com


The Prize:
* Complimentary place on the Building Creativity 3-Day Course at the Illamasqua School of Make-up Art, London W1

* Paid Travel, within the UK only

* Daily London transport travelcard to attend course

* 2 x Night hotels accommodation [Zone 1] during 3 day course

* 20% Discount on Illamasqua product range

* Select the date you want to attend in October, November or December [and be in London for Christmas shopping!]

* The course, worth over £575

Terms and Conditions

UK Only entry
Minimum entry age of 16 years
Be sure to put your contact details on
We cannot return face charts

School of Make-up Art: Course Breakdowns: Mastering Professional Make-up

The ultimate make-up education programme, this professionally designed intensive course will provide you with a solid platform from which to build your confidence and your skills. You'll learn and practice a range of core technical and creative techniques until you're precision perfect, then look at ways in which to develop more abstract styles and looks. This comprehensive introduction to professional make-up will teach your alter ego everything it needs to know about self expression and the Art of making up.

Course Content:

DAY 1: Lure

Learn how to create the perfect professional canvas

DAY 2: PIERCE

Understanding eye shape and bone structure: how to enhance, maximise and dramatize.

DAY 3: TECHNICAL ART

Working with lines, arches, and angles to perfec your technical skills.
DAY 4: CREATIVE ART

Abstract and expressive, you'll experiment with a world of colours and textures.
DAY 5: INDIVIDUALITY WORKSHOP

A final freestyle session that lets you really explore your personal make-up style.


Price:

£1,000.00 [This course includes a complimentary Illamasqua Make-up Education Kit]

Course Dates:

4-8th October 2010

8-12th November 2010

7-11th December 2010


For more information, please email school@illamasqua.com or call us on 0844 984 1700

S.O.P.H.I.E

Today marks the third anniversary of Sophie's death.

Sophie Lancaster was a Goth. She was also an intelligent 20 year old woman with a bright future. She was beaten up and killed simply for looking different in August 2007.

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation was created to enforce a simple message; Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance Everywhere.

The driving force behind the charity, Sophie's mother Sylvia Lancaster, comments "I want Sophie's story to be an inspiration to us all to live in tolerance and to celebrate everyone's right to be who they want to be. The Sophie Lancaster Foundation and Illamasqua are intrinsically linked - both promote and fight for the freedom to self-express.”

To show your support, please donate generously via our website or by buying the S.O.P.H.I.E wristbands and the cult ‘Sophie’ pencil.

Last November, for what would have been Sophie’s 23^rd birthday, the following video was made. Please view ‘Dark Angel’ here.

Art of Darkness: The Mistress of Ceremonies

With the launch date of September 16th edging ever closer, I want to start introducing you to some of our characters from the epic Art of Darkness collection.

Without giving too much away, we wanted to create an entire world with this collection, with characters from various realms of fantasy that showcase a variety of artistic use of make-up, from the subtle to the extreme, from the monochromatic to the vividly vibrant...


The Mistress of Ceremonies

With her authoritative aura, all eyes are drawn to the Mistress of Ceremonies. It is she who ensures the forces are balanced and the gods appeased. Her body is a patchwork of mythical symbols and semi-precious stones - a walking celebration of the earth and the heavens...

Bristol Rockstyle

Gosh! What an evening!!!! It was absolutely tipping it down before I left and on twitter I was getting in a tizz about whether to wear the nude outfit or not... I risked it! Luckily leopard print is back in so my big leopard print umbrella didn't look out of place!! :) Here is the outfit as promised...I am sorry I have had to do the cheesy thing of cutting out the background but our flat really isn't the greatest back drop in the state it is in!So anyway arrived in one piece and fairly dry...

The evening was hosted by the exuberant Julian Bennett from the British version of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and of course his 'sausage' (dog) Lulu - who by the way is adorable and such a professional - didn't pee on the catwalk - always a good start! The venue it's self was gorgeous - loads of cornicing. There was seated, standing and VIP sections - I think I was quite lucky as I managed to get a seat right at the front of the catwalk!!

Once Julian had warmed up the crowed the first act to perform was a dance group called funk fatelle. A group of six girls who did an interesting mix of body popping and Hip Hop. Was really enjoyable and a great way to start the evening... I had no idea what else was going to be in store!!

The first fashions to hit the catwalk were from Guess - They also suited and booted Julian's first outfit of the evening. It was a really nice performance. The models came on to the catwalk from the end closest to the audience and there were three groups of models (two couples of boy and girl and a threesome of one boy and two girls) They all acted like they were at a club and were having a great time. It was a mix of casual and evening wear and I really liked the performance.I really liked the fuchsia dress. It had a photographic building print that really caught my eye.The next collection to appear on the catwalk was The Clifton Vintage Boutique. The clothing was supported by Sarah Walklett who sang 'Aint No Other Man' and boy did she have a pair of lungs on here! She was amazing!Fielding and Nicholson offered a great collection of Tailoring for men. Loved the features of the double button and bright linings.

A very stylish suit and evening wear collection came next with Louis and Josh singing with acoustic guitar - They had been at the press evening. The collection was Amanda Wakely and my favorite pieces were two dresses worn by twins. One was silver and the other purple and they had a very Grecian feel to them. Floaty pleating and sailor knotted rope at their waist.Really elegant and the models were a good choice!

Gilly Woo's collection took to the stage with a very talented ballet dancer! - Who was only 13! She was mesmerising. The collection was corsets and frills. My favorites were a periwinkle blue see through dress and a sky blue corset with white and yellow detailing and bows, it reminded me of pottery. But Gosh those Waists!!!! Those corsets were proper corsets that pulled them in or they just had the tiniest waists I have ever seen!Unfortunately this is the only in focus photograph I got of Gilly Woo's collection... I must try and sweet talk a photographer and try and get some better pictures to show you!!

The Rapper Genetic then took to the stage. A really different style music to the previous act. The clothing shown was from our very own Motel! Their new cadge backs were a feature.During the interval the very talented Amy Evans sang with a back of why the show and everyone was there. The whole event was a charity show to raise money for The Variety Club who does amazing work for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children.Amy won a singing competition and had an amazing voice, it was really pure and worked well with the slide show (even though there were a few tiny technical difficulties)Still a wonderful performance.

The second half opened with a bang! A trio of street walkers called Team South Blessed did an amazing performance of stunts and flips - and all staying on the catwalk, at some points I was sure they would fall off it!The next collection was by Henry Hunt... Coming from a private school myself it was all very familiar... The hunting jackets with hoodies, school style skirts. It was a sweet collection and very very sloanie!Vixy Designs were really interesting. They were heavily worked into with machine embroidery, random objects and graffiti. I got an element of recycled fashion mixed with street wear and also wales as inspirations. They walked down the catwalk to a trio called Base 6.The next thing to grace the catwalk was ahem barely there... A company called Lick and their range of underwear for men... The room defiantly perked up and I have to say I was unsure where to look... But for your curiosity here is a picture....enjoy! hehe!!In case you are interested spiders and spider webs were a feature along with the union jack with bright pink and blue...

The next collection is one of my favorites (no bias here even though I have met the designer)The collection had a wonderful mix of fairytale and fantasy which I really enjoy in fashion. I think it is important to have a fantasy element and even a storyline - it doesn't always have to be wearable it is about imagination. Anyway this gorgeous collection in white hues, bronzes and floaty fabrics. It was obviously a fashion fairytale with princes and princesses, the ballet dancer was back and I loved the flower bikinis with gauze capes. I will be doing a separate blog post on Charlie Critchley Crozier the creator of Amour Fou so watch this space...Colonel Mustard was another menswear collection, but with Men actually IN clothes! A great mix of casual and smart. Julian was wearing Colonel Mustard as part of his second half outfit.

Puckoo Couture made for a brilliant finale! Bright leotards, women on stilts and a rather dark sexual edge... The women on stilts were fantastic and looked like tropical birds.It was a really successful evening and I hope lots of money was raised! Well done to Miss Bristol and Tyrone Jones for creating such an enjoyable event. I really enjoyed the mix of fashion, dance and music it was really great!Also thank you for the lovely goody bag - the cake was delicious!Best Wishes
Fashion Fantasist xx