I like clowns, most of the time. I admit that a part of me, deep down, is scared of clowns. Sure, they’re lots of fun at the circus and at parties, but at night, when they hide in the shadows with an evil grin…. Ok, I better stop. I’m scaring myself. But to quote Lon Chaney, “There is nothing funny about a clown in the moonlight….”
Remember how Evel Knievel used to jump over greyhound busses in his star-spangled jumpsuits?
Apparently, there’s a new trend in jumping stuff…and all you need is a devil costume and some babies.
Does anyone remember The Greatest American Hero? It was on TV in the early 1980’s. Man, I LOVED, LOVED that show as a kid. I wanted my own suit in the worst way. Thankfully, now that the show is on DVD, I get to watch it all over again. There’s also rumors flying that a GAH movie will be made!
I want to talk a bit about the show, the spinoff pilot that never got picked up, and then take a look at some great fan-made costumes.
Harry over at AintitCoolNews just broke an exclusive story regarding the upcoming Watchmen movie. In the movie, there’s a group of old superheroes called Minutemen (shown above).
Who are the Minutemen? Well in WATCHMEN - it was the first team of superheroes that formed in 1939 and pulled a BEATLES in 1949. In the pic you’ll see the classic SILK SPECTRE and NITE OWL… you’ll see CAPTAIN METROPOLIS, MOTHMAN, SILHOUETTE, COMEDIAN, DOLLAR BILL and with the noose… HOODED JUSTICE.
I love this photo… just look at those costumes, the hairstyles and makeup. Isn’t that classic? It’s that attention to detail that I think bodes very well for this project.
Yes, those costumes are sensational. They look so authentic for the year 1940. The Watchmen movie will come out next year, I can’t wait!
Do you want an original costume that can’t be purchased, but you don’t know how to sew? Or perhaps you need a crazy prop for your costume and you just can’t find anything like it in stores. I went to CONduit in Salt Lake City on Saturday, and there I attended a panel that was all about turning ordinary, random things into costume items, to create items that no one else has!
There are two basic tricks to making a costume item out of something else:
The first is to break down the idea of your finished product into components. You won’t be able to find the exact thing you need, but you will be able to find various things that you can put together to make what you need. Your costume is a puzzle, and you’re looking for the pieces.
I had a great time last weekend at CONduit, the annual sci fi/fantasy convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. The event, which ran from May 23-25, is a great way for fans of the genre to come together to discuss and share ideas about all things sci fi/fantasy.
CONduit features professional authors, artists, actors, game designers, singers…and of course, COSTUMES!
Most people don’t think of Memorial Day as a great costuming event. What are you doing to do, go to a graveyard dressed in black? But if you’re a Civil War re-enactor, you feel a little differently about this holiday!
At Greenwich Village in Michigan, there is an event this weekend called Civil War Remembrance. It’s an awesome opportunity to learn more about this tumultuous time in America’s history. There are events and exhibitions regarding all facets of life at the time, as well as concerts and re-enactment shows! But what caught my eye, of course, was the costuming.
I watch Dancing with the Stars for the stirring Sambas and jumping Jives. But a lot of the time I find myself concentrating more on what the dancers are wearing instead of their sweet dance skills.
I can’t help but wonder where pro dancer Cheryl Burke’s flamboyant metallic dress came from (salvaged parts from a UFO, maybe?) or where Kristi Yamaguchi picked up her sultry Tango costume dress?
So I went searching for the secret behind the costumes on Dancing with the Stars. Here’s what I found out (with the help of some online articles posted by ABC News).
Last Sunday, New York City hosted the Veggie Pride Parade. People came dressed as their favorite vegetables and protested the eating of meat.
The parade began in the meatpacking district and finished at Washington Square Park, where vegan jerky sticks were handed out and a costume contest was held.
A costume blog is always fun, and sometimes it’s just plain funny.
Meet Stuart Kennedy, a professional male stripper otherwise known as Sgt. Eros. He frequently performs in costume dressed as a police officer and sometimes a soldier.
Recently, Sgt. Eros danced his way into the courthouse, accused of illegally carrying weapons while on the job. He was arrested for carrying two batons and a spray without lawful authority.
However, Sheriff Kenneth Stewart said: “There is no evidence at all which even hints at the suggestion that he had any intention of causing harm or injury to other persons.”
The Crown Office then announced an appeal against the ruling that Mr Kennedy’s stripogram work did amount to a reasonable excuse.
Advocate depute Brian McConnachie had argued that if Sheriff Stewart’s ruling went unchallenged it could create a legal loophole for carrying weapons.
Well, say one thing about his weapon, at least he doesn’t keep it concealed. Ha!
So now that you’re all aware of how awesome steampunk is, you’re thinking, “But it’s so awesome! How can I possibly design my own steampunk costume that will be as awesome as everyone else’s?” Never fear, dear readers; I am here to tell you all about the world of steampunk and how understanding it will help you design your very own, very awesome steampunk costume!
The basic premise of the world of steampunk boils down to one simple principle: It is a world in which Newtonian physics are king. Imagine if no one ever bothered to learn about atoms, if Einstein had never come along with his theory of relativity, if the threat of world-wide destruction via atomic bombs had never been made possible.
That is the world of steampunk. It is very science-oriented, but with gears and cogs; pure mechanics. Nothing is digital, nothing is atomic, there is no quantum theory. Perhaps it’s so popular because it can be considered the layman’s science.
What makes steampunk different from most science fiction is the synthesis of science with fantasy—using science to create a fantasy world. Steampunk basically says, “Anything that can be done with magic can be done with science, and we’re the ones to do it!”
It’s never too early to think about Halloween costumes. What are you gonna wear, man?
