featuring fashions by Iron Fist, Hell Bunny, Spin Doctor, Rose Mortem, RockLove Jewelry, and more

photographer : Joey Buczek
fashion stylist : Jennifer Link
makeup artist : Jodie McGuire
hair stylist : Tasha Wagner
models : Queenie Lafeenie and Marie Christina
Queenie Lafeenie’s hair style : Carly Kostiw
extras : Eric Gacek and Tasha Wagner
photography assistant : Michael Hanlon
paintings : Hugo Rodriguez
location : Hugo Rodriguez’s Carriage House Studio

view the full editorial in the December/January 2011/2012 Issue

With a few new endeavors on the horizon, the famous fashion design company and Sydney, Australia boutique known for their corsets and alternative couture, Gallery Serpentine, is still going strong after 15 years.

interview by : Vanity Kills & Jennifer Link
photographer : Zelko Nedic
fashion stylist : Gallery Serpentine
makeup artist : Emma Lee Court and Renee De Bono
makeup : Illamasqua
hair stylist : Ambo Ars
models : Miroslav Naskovic, Sophie J. Wilde, Susy Natal, James Heathers, Lauren Kyle, and Jeremy Ansley

It’s safe to say that upon handing yourself over to the whimsical couturiers behind Australia’s celebrated Gallery Serpentine, you’ll soon forget all about the outmoded notion of, “being dressed to the nines”. Instead, you shall be whisked right past 10 and into a world of instantly recognizable style that is off the charts. No surprise there, since this Sydney-based “Home of Australian Corsetry and Alternative Couture” prides itself on being an “Antidote to the Mundane”. After all, nothing lights up a room like a Gallery Serpentine pointed waist cincher fashioned from black aston brocade, a distinguished pinstripe kirtle skirt that drapes just right, or a high-collared undertaker inspired coat. But that’s just one small piece of a greater fantastically fashionable puzzle. If you heart’s desire lies in transforming your entire wedding entourage into a horde of airship pirates, the brand’s alternative bridal salon, can help you satiate your steamiest matrimonial appetites. And if you wish to be plucked from the banality of day-to-day life by the way of sartorially minded old-school carnival magic, where tunes and togs collide: Dark Fashion Theatre beckons with promises of delivering a tantalizing, multi-performer road show unlike that which you’ve ever seen, letting you fulfill those, “I’ve run away with a really well-dressed circus,” fantasies you’ve always harbored. At least for one night.

Writer Vanity Kills and editor Jennifer Link had the pleasure of interviewing Stephanie Calkin of Gallery Serpentine.

Jennifer Link : Gallery Serpentine has had multiple designers and guest designers throughout its 15 years, can you give us a mini history lesson, who were some of the highlights and who is still working with Gallery Serpentine today?
Stephanie Calkin : Annette Magus, my sister, was the sole designer when her first label, Magus, morphed into Gallery Serpentine in the early years after she came back from Camden in London where she had a great following. She developed the corsetry during this period when you couldn’t buy a corset in Australia. She continues to contribute her signature romantic neo-Victorian styles and also what I’d categorize as “practical goth” or “corporate goth” daywear. For me I was making “deadtech” creations utilizing circuitboard screen prints and wiring diagrams with used computer parts and often pictures of Einstein. It was great to have this recognized with a color spread in a local Sydney gay publication and getting the cover of another local paper and having the winner of the Miss Geek competition in the USA wearing one of my deadtech corsets.

Once GS started growing and we were employing some creatives who in the main came out of the theater costume background an acceleration of dramatic designs came through. Basically nearly everyone who has ever worked here has ended up contributing designs whether it is the production team or the retail team. We used to have very intense staff design meetings every few months and design sheets were rampant pieces of paperwork wherever you went upstairs in our old shop in a Victorian terrace.

Shannon Mullane is still with us after about eight years, she originally started as a work experience student and is now Production Manager and has designed some great new styles for us.

Other guest designers are USA steampunk legend, Evelyn Kriete and Sydney’s own Robert from Red Rabbit & Ensign who really helped us kickstart our GS Gentlemen ranges. Our new Dapper Bastard ranges are being spurred along by a Victorian style strong man and scientist, Abbadon/James Heathers.

read the full interview in the December/January 2011/2012 Issue

A is for Arsenic’s Black Chained Antler Necklace

image source aisforarsenic.com

Back in the summer when we interviewed Amelia Arsenic in our June/July 2011 Issue, she was already brewing up this collection. The long-awaited Taxidermia collection from A for Arsenic is finally out, described as, “a modern re-imagining of Victorian mourning jewellery and attire, a graphic world of dark Victoriana, memento mori, and macabre taxidermy.” The Black Chained Antler Necklace is a great statement necklace that can fit many different styles from Victorian and steampunk to latex and fetish to modern and hipster. And it’s from a collection that is beautifully executed with a look book featuring stunning styling and well designed features such as the gift box accompanying every necklace and the hand numbered and signed bee swing tag.

The Black Chained Antler Necklace is available online for £48 at www.aisforarsenic.com.

- Jennifer

Fluevog’s Vog Socks

image source fluevog.com

Need a last minute gift or a stocking stuffer? Pick up a pair of the new Vog Socks by Fluevog or pick up a couple! These socks are unisex and the classic look of them would make them work for most any gift recipient, friend, significant other, brother, sister, father, mother, even grandparents! They have a bit of the “ugly christmas sweater” thing going, that paired with the fact that they are Fluevog socks (socks from an ultra-hip but still a bit under the radar brand) make them a very cool gift from someone who is clearly in the know.

Vog Socks are available for $15 at www.fluevog.com.

- Jennifer

Cyberoptix Tie Lab’s Insomnia Necktie

image source cyberoptix.com

My personal favorite ties that my husband wears are the ones from Cyberoptix Tie Lab. Cyberoptix infuses the elegance of men’s neck wear with a creative modern twist, don’t ever wear a boring necktie again! Check out the silkscreen Insomnia Necktie with a EEG Test brainwave illustration design that can be customized in your choice of fabric and width. If you’re looking to give this as a gift, spring for the extra ten bucks and get a Cyberoptix Tie Lab premium wooden gift box. No need to wrap the gift Cyberoptix does it for you, how easy is that?!

The Insomnia Necktie by Cyberoptix Tie Lab is available online at www.cyberoptix.com.

-Meagan

Sinister Vanity’s Silver Filigree Bat Cameo Choker

image source sinistervanity.etsy.com

It’s hard to think that Thanksgiving is less than a week away and then it’s officially “holiday shopping time”. Beat the long lines and general shopping pandemonium by purchasing items from independent designers like Sinister Vanity on www.etsy.com. The Silver Filigree Bat Cameo Choker is enchantingly beautiful piece of jewelry with a gothic Victorian flare that would make a wonderful gift for a friend or a loved one. With a price tag of $25 for a handmade designer gift, it will spread some holiday cheer but will not break your bank.

The Silver Filigree Bat Cameo Choker by Sinister Vanity is available on at www.sinistervanity.etsy.com.

- Meagan

Rose Mortem’s Juliet Gown

image source rosemortem.com

The Juliet Gown by Rose Mortem combines stretch mesh and lace into an elegant and dramatic design. As Rose Mortem says, “tragic innocence was never so well-dressed,” and I couldn’t agree more. The gown is offered in black or white which would make an elegant for an  alternative bride. Rose Mortem is offering a 10% off your entire order during the month of November, check out www.rosemortem.com for more information.

The Juliet Gown by Rose Mortem is available online at www.rosemortem.com.

- Meagan

Too Fast’s Gracie Dress in Gonebad Print

image source toofastonline.com

Too Fast designs a lot of their own fashions and the Gracie Dress in the Gonebad print caught my eye as I like the bright colors and unique fabric. The Gracie Dress gives the look of a top and skirt combo, but is all one piece! Super easy to wear and to style with a pair of ballet flats or some high to the sky stilettos, whatever your look this dress will definitely have people asking you, “Where did you get that dress?!”.

The Gracie Dress in Gonebad Print by Too Fast is available online at www.toofastonline.com.

- Meagan

The Alexander McQueen spring 2012 collection was shown at Paris fashion week.  The collection was highly cohesive and showed that Sarah Burton, now head designer at McQueen, offers a more polished version of McQueen’s vision.  The theme of the designs was the sea, with many soft textures and colors, there were hints of darkness with oil spill black laced into the designs and collection.  The key to continuing to follow the trend of bold silhouettes and exaggerated shoulders into spring 2012 will be adding some softness with ruffles and color.  Peach will be a good way to add some girlyness for spring and will let you avoid baby pink.  Other great colors to add softness, cream and many shades of lavender.  Wear black all spring and summer long by opting for transparency with lace and appliqué, and with lots of soft texture.

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Marc Jacob’s 2012 spring collection shown at New York fashion week is cohesive and polished.  Plastic skirts are paired with button ups and cropped jackets to make an odd mix-match that seems to come together so well.  Things to take from this collection: layering, try mixing styles and pieces you wouldn’t think would pair together (such as a latex or pvc piece with cotton, satin, linen, or a sweater), and a beautiful grey muted color palette with iridescents and shine.

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