image source www.shop.chromatgarments.com

Since the nineteenth century, the reversed or upside-down pentagram has been a symbol of dark magic. Influential occult writer Eliphas Levi described it as depicting, “the goat of lust attacking the heavens with its horns.” But never before have I seen it incorporated as sexily and freshly in a garment as it is in The Pentagram Suit II. The swimsuit, part of Chromat’s SS13 collection, Riot Box, is the second version of Becca McCharen’s striking design. Last year’s black and white style was out of stock in a flash. Expect the sophisticated all-black run to be embraced by those looking to get away with wearing a fetish statement piece poolside.

The Pentagram Suit II is available online for $312 through Chromat’s website www.shop.chromatgarments.com and for $278 on Nasty Gal www.nastygal.com.

- Dahlia Jane

FAT Toronto ON, April 23 - At Toronto’s Arts and Fashion Week known as FAT, Dianna DiNoble’s Ballerina Biker themed Starkers Corsetry 2013 collection might have seemed to be quite at contrast. But the way DiNoble blended the delicate pink tulle and harsh black leather was not unlike watching two dancers in perfect harmony. The models danced, glided, or pivoted down the runway showcasing ten solid looks ranging from satin and silks, to tulle and leather. There were shrugs, gloves, leggings, corsets, underbusts and overbusts, kimono style dresses, and pants. There was ruffles, fringe, soft flowing fabrics, and silk pulled tightly to the body. The final ballgown incorporated all the colors of the previous looks. Its skirt was a fall of fabric ranging from black to pink, and light pinks and cream to white at the bottom. It was hugged by a black open front over skirt and black leather underbust corset with a black lace sleeveless top. The silk black opera gloves and simple makeup and ballerina bun style hair was perfectly styled for maxim effect.

photos : Ian Compton

- Tasha Farrington

Your personal life might be a bit… complicated. But sharp basics make having kick ass style… uncomplicated.

photographer : Sylvia Pereira
creative director : Pretty Deadly Stylz
fashion stylist : Pretty Deadly Stylz
makeup artist : 3BArtistry aka Mark Boyer
hair stylist : Tiffany Dere Gullickson @ The Proudest Pony Salon
models : Red Herring, Cassia Sparkle, & Conor @ ELITE

We grabbed some behind the scenes shots on the set of our It’s Not Complicated fashion editorial! The plan was to get ready and styled at our fashion editor Tasha Farrington’s home in Toronto and shoot outdoors, the weather decided against it. Luckily we had the space to shoot inside. Sylvia Pereira, the photographer, was awesome, pretty much up for anything, so needless to say we had the right team for this shoot.

Our models were from the local scene, Red Herring is a burlesque dancer and runs a school for burlesque, and Cassia Sparkle is the original mermaid model hailing from Toronto. Both ladies are friends of ours and we had been wanting to get them in a shoot together for some time. Conor, Tasha had met working on another project, and really wanted to bring him in on a shoot with Auxiliary. It  just so happened it was good timing and so we got him too. Mark from 3B Artistry was on set for makeup and Tiffany who works at The Proudest Pony Salon did the hair for everyone. They worked with Tasha to create the looks that would be a fluent collection, and yet give each model their own style as well.  Mark is a very accomplished SFX artist, and you may see some more work from him with us in the near future. Tiffany was a superstar with the hair, whipping up styles faster then we could snap a picture.

Tasha was really excited to do a shoot that kind of went back to the basics, but was still interesting and gave off a kind of edge factor. She nailed it with the mix of Akumu Ink, Pop Factory, and The Rogue and The Wolf accessories. And of course the Baudelaire by Mady Bone helping finish off the ladies style. All together with  everyone all styled up, there was a fun vibe, but also a slight tension kind of feeling, so we went with that and created the story line while shooting. Sometimes Tasha goes in and knows what she wants to call a story right from the planning stages, other times like this one, it’s kind of organic and creates itself.

AUXILIARY ONLINE CONTENT
[ additional images not seen in the April/May 2013 Issue ]

view the full editorial in the April/May 2013 Issue

We use clothing to help define ourselves. Punk style has infiltrated many other genres and created its own sub-genres. It’s walked runways and the street corners of your neighborhoods. It’s hung out in the pages of Vogue and in dive bars around the globe. Punk is about self-expression. So instead of hating the mainstream for adopting our underground looks, embrace it. Take it back, use what you like. Layer spikes and chains; mix in rhinestones and some rock style glamour and tattoos. Add sparkle and color to ripped and distressed. Play with patterned leggings and stud shirts, mini skirts and printed tees. This look is as much about the clothing as it is your attitude. Just remember, punk never dies.

styled & written by : Pretty Deadly Stylz
photographer : Ian Compton
makeup artist & hair stylist : Ashley Miriam Brewer of The Proudest Pony
model : Ashley Miriam Brewer

We captured a few behind the scenes shots at the photoshoot! Our fashion editor Tasha Farrington put together this feature with photographer Ian Compton and it was shot at his studio in Toronto. Ashley, the model, runs a salon so she came to the shoot right from work and arrived all done up and ready to go! Tasha got her dressed for the first look, adhered the nails she made for the shoot, plus added some accessories. For the second look, Ashley redid her hair and added some more color to the eyes, darkening them up a bit. The nails were attached with Nailene Tabs and stayed on through the whole shoot: changing, doing hair, everything. Right before shooting the second look Tasha cut up the tights while Ashley was wearing them so she could place the rips better. After shooting the second look they called it a wrap! With lots of planning before hand and the small team all rocking their parts amazingly the whole shoot only took four hours. That’s pretty sweet considering most of our shoots usually take all day!

AUXILIARY ONLINE CONTENT
[ additional images not seen in the April/May 2013 Issue ]

view the full feature in the April/May 2013 Issue

Brooklyn NY, February 28 - New York-based Vengeance Designs unveiled their latest collection, Color Me Kinky, on February 28th at the FreeCandy space in Brooklyn. Vengeance Designs is known for their quality and dedication in combining clashing elements to form latex masterpieces for the fetish and cosplay crowd. This latest collection featured a variety of colorful latex outfits, some innocent and sweet, others revealing women reveling in their power over the male ego with a flash of skin. Designer Kayla Lael described the collection as, “A fusion of classic pin-up style with a pop-art twist!”

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We featured the Lo Res Pump in our April/May 2011 Issue and still love them just as much as we did then! This season they are out in new lust-worthy colors: blue lavender and aqua. Embrace pastels because they can pair perfectly with black (or black and white, gray, other pastels, jewel tones) while being a bold statement and fashion forward. The Lo Res Pump is part of United Nude’s digital design revolution, cut from rubber with computer aided design to have many smooth facets like a gem stone. These shoes have a removable strap and leather foot bed for comfort and ease of wearing. Multifaceted, they can be futuristic, cyber, retro, witchy, Victorian, lolita, or just plain sophisticated and fashionable. Pair with latex (like we did in our April/May 2011 Issue) or just about any material.

The Lo Res Pump by United Nude is available online for $200 at www.unitednude.com.

- Jennifer Link

image source www.monsteraesthetics.com on left, photo by Kim Akrigg on right

Hey men, it’s getting warmer. Do you need some help with what to wear as it gets warmer? Well let me tell you. It’s all about printed shirts. I myself like tees and tanks, with cool art. Trevor Nicholls is the artist behind every art piece, shirt, skateboard, and shoe under the Monster Aesthetic brand. He’s a young one, in his early 20s hes making a name for himself as the guy who has you covered if you want something wicked and awesome. Trevor’s work can be found in various shop in Canada and the US, as well as on his site. Monster Aesthetics’s will also be touring with Warped Tour, so if you are going, you may be able to meet up in person to buy his wares. One of my personal favorite pieces is the Grey Goat Tank. All of the pieces are unisex, mind you I am thinking of the guys out there. It’s comfy, soft cotton with a dark black original goat head design printed with durability in mind. It pairs well with everything, so go take a look, and remember  what Trevor teaches us; believe in the monster.

The Grey Goat Tank by Monster Aesthetics is available online for $25 at www.monsteraesthetics.com.

- Tasha Farrington

An overbust corset can be as versatile as your imagination and creativity will allow. The Rouge Reverence Corset by Heavy Red has just the right features to allow for a wide range of styling options; a solid color with texture for visual interest and a material, taffeta, that can be played up or played down, making it a must-have for this year and many more after.

written by : Jennifer Link
photographer : Jennifer Link
fashion stylist : Jennifer Link
makeup artist : Andrea Losecco
model : Sarah Viscera

AUXILIARY ONLINE CONTENT
[ additional images not seen in the February/March 2013 Issue ]

The Rouge Reverence Corset by Heavy Red, high-low dress by H&M, and Cross of St Peter Black Leggings by Black Milk paired with Hellish Distressed Crop Gloves by Heavy Red, Noir Long Cross Necklace by Heavy Red, and model’s own cross charm necklace.

The Rouge Reverence Corset by Heavy Red, ruffle bottom tunic by Heavy Red, and Cross of St Peter Black Skirt by Black Milk paired with Innocence Lost Scalloped Stockings by Heavy Red and cross necklace by Heavy Red.

view the full feature in the February/March 2013 Issue

image source www.drmartens.com

There is something about a man in a great shoe. When you think Dr. Martens you may think punk, grunge, and all around epicness. But do you think of Doc’s for dressing a little more polished? Men take note, the Doctor has been working on so many unique and stylish shoes to give you options besides a basic black. One of my favorite shoes I’ve seen for men is from the Core Collection: the 3989 men’s dress shoe. I could see this paired with straight dark jeans and printed tee, leather jacket, or a suit and tie. It’s such a classic shoe with its black and white Brogue style, that you could definitely mix and match it with a variety of looks. But whatever you pair these with, you’ll be adding a touch of the grown up.

The 3989 from the Core Collection by Dr. Martens is available online for $125 at www.drmartens.com.

- Tasha Farrington

photographer : Shawn Jantzen
makeup artist : Kortni Kennedy aka MissLady Kay
hair stylist : Reilly Pauly at Shear Steel Salon
model : Kortni Kennedy aka MissLady Kay

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