The Witchiest Witch That Ever Was

I just came across this article about a recent art exhibition in San Francisco called "Toil & Trouble" at Space Gallery on Polk Street. The exhibition was put on in tribute to and in collaboration with a recent film titled, Story About a Witch. Among the various artistic portrayals of aspects of the film, the costume for the witch caught my eye. This amazing costume was a collaboration between two wonderful artists, a special effects expert named, Jared Guenther and a costume/clothing designer named Laura Grant. As stunning and realistic as this costume is it was the tip of the iceberg. The exhibition also featured the photography of Sungjib Kim, who took beautiful still shots from the set of the film.


Another one of Lara Grant's costume designs for the movie.

Crazy and magical.


More photos of the Exhibition, Toil & Trouble can be found HERE at James Sime's photostream on Flickr.

Freaky Fashion Friday: More vintage costumes

I know I have already shared a number of old vintage costumes but I came across the most amazing Halloween book the other night. Dressed for Thrills: 100 Years of Halloween Costumes & Masquerade by Phyllis Galembo is a great visual catalog of a variety of vintage costumes, some dating all the way back to the 1800's. Here are a few excerpts from the book:


I want this mask. It reminds me of a B-52's skeleton.
What a great Big Bad Wolf costume. The mask is painted buckram.

This beatnik costume is right up there in weirdness with the Hippie mask I found a couple weeks ago.

I love how simple this bat mask is.

This is more of a masquerade gown. My favorite part are the hearts hanging from ribbon.

Who would want to be this?

Freaky Fashion Friday

For those living in the Bay Area, the San Francisco Opera House is opening its door and having a gigantic costume shop sale this weekend (October 24th &25th). Prices range from $1-$750. You are sure to find that one of a kind item here. All sales benefit the SF Opera House. Press Release HERE

I love the royal purple gown. Must have looked amazing onstage.
Check out the back of the blue dress. The detail is amazing.
Grecian Goddess or Empress

On a similiar note, the New York Opera has allowed artist E.V. Day to scrounge through their collection and transform some of their most amazing gowns into sculptural displays in the Lincoln Center lobby. The way the dresses are displayed give off such an eerie feeling that it reminds the viewer of how theater is a sort of means of raising the dead. I have to say this is one of the best art shows I have heard about in a long time. Read the NYTimes article HERE and check out the full slideshow HERE.