For most of us, our dream wardrobe is influenced by our favorite movies. Fantasy, sci-fi, horror, period, dark, spooky, whimsical, and enchanting: films have inspired subculture for as long as films have been made. Enter Darkspectre Custom Couture, a designer with the skills and magic to make these dreams a reality. Self-taught determination, tremendous attention to detail, and a vivid imagination allows designer Nez Wilburn of Darkspectre to re-create and re-invent one-of-a-kind historical and movie inspired gowns and ensembles, as well as many stunning unique pieces.
interview by : Tasha Farrington & Jennifer Link
photographer : Laura Dark
fashion stylist : Laura Dark
makeup artist : Mascaraid
hair stylist : Laura Dark
models : Shantia Veney
AUXILIARY ONLINE CONTENT
[ additional images not seen in the April/May 2013 Issue ]
FAT Toronto ON, April 23 - Ashley Davies and Matt Smart are bringing latex from the bedroom to the runway like no one else in Canada. The newest House of Etiquette collection by this duo titled Filthy Gorgeous was showcased at at Toronto’s Arts and Fashion Week known as FAT was a strong showing. Ten models walked the runway in peplum tops, tight leggings, peek-a-boo bras, and body hugging dresses. This collections color palette consisted of transparent and opaque versions of royal blues, deep purples, yellow, and sunrise patterns all mixed with a stable of black. Everyone was polished to perfection, each look hugging the model like it was truly made only for them.
FAT Toronto ON, April 25 - It’s been ten years and Laura Stewart’s Futurstate was just as relevant and fashion forward as ever. At Toronto’s Arts and Fashion Week known as FAT, her show started with the lights turned out and security agents flashing lights through the crowd. The music changed and a collection of apocalyptic street style emerges to take over the runway. It was all the classic elements we have loved over the years, revamped here and there to perfection. The collection was all in our favorite shade of black, with touches of neon orange, silver, and reflective piping. The looks were kept clean and simple, with staple pieces like black tees with shoulder details, or neon prints. There were dark pants with pockets for everything adorning the men. While straps, shrugs sheers, and skirts with long slits looked empowering on the women. The makeup was created and done by Larissa Palaszczuk of Blonde Moxie Makeup. The neon beauty looks were well balanced and help create the overall impression of stepping into a world of rebels, fighters, and anarchists.
FAT Toronto ON, April 25 - At Toronto’s Arts and Fashion Week known as FAT, Wendy Ng chose the Norse gods as inspiration for Dystropolis’ collection this year entitled Valhalla. A collection of what a modern god might wear when summoned to earth. Each look stood on its own, evoking the god it represents. Yet the personality and character each god represents came together in a stand of strength when viewed as a whole.
Accessories from COVEN by Sonia Kang adorned the models, and pieces were used to accentuate the looks not overpower them. Memorable pieces were the spinal back harnesses, ear cuffs with leather fringe, and the bird skull choker on the final look.
Thirteen looks were showcased and the palette was classic Ng, with blacks, grays, and creams. This year there was a mix of materials from sheers to leather, a layering of constriction and tailoring showcasing her skill with all fabrics used. Metal details, like heavy claps or studs were used throughout the collection, but sparingly. The focus this year was definitely on design and fit. Overall the feeling was of watching a designer step out of what was, into what will be. And with Dystropolis we are in good hands.
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.
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 ]
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 ]
left photograph by Tasha Farrington, right image source www.lushusa.com
I walked into Lush for the first time, and to be sure it was a little overwhelming. The first thing you notice will be the smells that attack your nasal passages. The second will probably be the feast of epic colors and shapes and the shear amount of products for your eyes. Once you adjust to that, you can explore. And you can be sure the friendly staff will say hello. In fact I haven’t had better service for quite some time while shopping. Now they have a lot of cool stuff at Lush, but I want to rave about the Bath Bombs. Okay, so the big seller is Big Blue. I didn’t grab it, but the lady was telling me how it turns your bath into a blue sea soak and I kind of like the idea of something other then my hair turning my bath different colors. The three Bath Bombs I grabbed were Golden Slumbers, Twilight, and Sex Bomb. The first two are very relaxing. Golden Slumbers is a lavender based bomb that is supposed to help put you at ease and sleep. I found it very relaxing and definitely was a comforting treat after a long day of work. Twilight is also a lavender infused bomb mixed with ylang ylang. When it hits the warm water it swirls pink and purple leaving you in a luxurious spa like environment in your own bathroom. I haven’t tried the Sex Bomb yet, but it smells so good I look forward to the night I do. There are Bath Bombs to detoxify, condition your skin, wake up your senses, and basically keep you in bath heaven for months. If you are like me and do enjoy a good bath, I highly recommend the Bath Bombs, and hey there is definitely a scent for everyone.
Bath Bombs in all there variety are available for $3.95 to $6.95 at Lush stores worldwide and online at www.lushusa.com.
I’ve gone a little batty for bats, well bat pegs at least. And who wouldn’t want to clip these babies onto stuff around the house? Who knew how helpful those crazy little flyers could be! Have em hold up your linens in the open air, or you could let the bats fly off your wall in a display of photos and wire. Creep out your friends with the bats lurking in dark cupboards or holding down your chip and cereal bags. You could one would assume even use them like ordinary clothes pegs. SuckUK is selling these individually, a quick Google search finds a few sets of them so you can create a swarm of bats even faster. Bats are not only great for keeping insects at bay, but will now help you around the house keeping things fresh and linens dry!
These Spooky Bat Pegs by SuckUK are available for £2.00 per peg online at www.suck.uk.com.
