Superheroes unite! Wearing costumes is not a crime.

Last June, I wrote about the LAPD’s crackdown of costumed superheroes who try to earn tips on Hollywood Blvd. It’s been a long standing tradition in Hollywood, but the cops chased all the superheroes off the street after a couple supervillains started demanding money from tourists.

And now the costumed superheroes are suing the city, and organized a protest yesterday at City Hall. Here are some great photos from the event.

I say, if they’re not inappropriately badgering tourists for money, then let them wear costumes! Rebecca Holland, who dresses as a Power Ranger, sums it up nicely:

“It’s no different than if one of us stole a purse. Would you arrest all of us?”

[via LA Weekly, NeonTommy & ABC News]

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Here’s a fun look at Star Wars fans singing and dancing in costume. CNN captured this footage from the Star Wars Celebration which wrapped up last weekend in Orlando. During the Fan Films award show, they took a dance break while a DJ played some tunes.

Funny stuff. Not only can lightsabers chop off your hand, but they make great air guitars.

[via WTHITV]

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Does anyone remember the 80’s TV show, “Here’s Boomer?”

Meet Gary Matthews, a hardcore Furry from Pennsylvania who considers himself more dog than man. He lives in a Boomer costume, he growls, barks and begs in character, and is currently trying to change his name to “Boomer the Dog.”

Matthews often walks through his neighborhood dressed in a dog costume made out of shredded newspaper. He barks at passing cars and trots along as if this were natural.

[via Terra.com]

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A group of environmental activists in California are protesting the use of plastic bags by dressing as Bag Monsters. To help pass California Bill, AB 1998, which would ban single-use plastic bags, they are organizing a big costume event on Aug. 12, 2010 called “Don’t Feed the Bag Monster.”

If you’re in the San Francisco area, you are invited to attend. They will provide you with a Bag Monster costume and a re-usable bag.

Every year Californians are estimated to use 19 billion plastic bags – many of which will end up in our rivers and oceans causing major harm and damage to our precious eco-systems. A ban on plastic bags is one of the biggest single cuts we can make to reduce marine debris pollution.

Single-use bags are easy to spoof since they’re such a bad idea – thus the birth of the Bag Monster costume! Bag Monster costumes are decked out with 500-700 single-use plastic bags, the amount the average American uses in 1 year! The bags are attached to a single jumpsuit using Velcro. Bag Monsters have been known to make appearances at events all over the country but this August 12th 2010 we’re organizing the LARGEST Bag Monster event in history at Ghirardelli Square!

To learn more, visit the Bag Monster Blog.

[via Bag Monster Blog]

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Last weekend in the UK, Neil and Sharon Vaughn got married dressed as Batman and Wonder Woman! Everyone in the wedding party wore a superhero costumes, how awesome is that?

Best man was Robin while The Joker was master of ceremonies with the Powerpuff girls as bridesmaids. Among the guests in Paignton, Devon, were Superman, the Incredibles, Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk and Captain America.

Neil said: “We’re not particularly traditional, and we wanted to have a fun day with our friends.”

Congratulations to the happy couple!

[via The Sun, Metro & Xinhuanet.com]

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Wow, commerically licensed Lady Gaga costumes! I think they look pretty fun. I have no doubt that these will be HUGE this Halloween.

Costume Craze is our main sponsor, and I asked them if they had any prices yet. I was told to expect the prices to be in the $50-$60 range.

Fans are going to go nuts over these. Visit Costume Craze to view the full line of Lady Gaga costumes.

[via Costume Craze]

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As you may have already heard, a man dressed as Darth Vader robbed a bank in Long Island last Thursday. So far, it looks like he may have gotten away with it!

This story has been widely reported in the media, and there have been many jokes about the Empire struggling in this economy, Vader being out of work, etc. Apparently, one customer thought it was a joke until Vader knocked him to the ground. Heh, it’s pretty crazy.

A bank robber dressed as “Star Wars” villain Darth Vader made off with an undetermined amount of cash after pointing a handgun at startled tellers inside a Chase bank branch on Long Island. Detectives say the man walked into the bank shortly before noon Thursday wearing a full head mask and a blue cape. The only part of the uniform that was out of place were his camouflage pants. And that handgun – no light saber.

[via Associated Press]

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On the eve of this week’s Comic Con, it’s the calm before the storm, and admittedly a slow costume news day. It looks like an all around slow news day for Portland, OR, as well.

KGW.com ran a story about a beloved hot dog mascot which was stolen, then found in damaged condition.

Meet Frankie, the walking hot dog. Employees at Frankie’s Franks take turns wearing him, and they all were sad when the costume disappeared. Or were they? It sounds like this could be an inside job!

At least the story ends well, with Frankie being found. With some duct tape and glue, he should be as good as new.

A beloved hot dog restaurant mascot’s costume has returned home after employees said it was stolen over the weekend. Thanks to some tips, police found him at a bus stop near SE 88th & Foster Rd. on Monday, and they returned Frankie back to the restaurant, according to employees.

But Frankie wasn’t returned in the same shape he was in two days ago. Employees said he’s been ripped and torn, he’s split apart, and he’s missing an eye.

“We’re happy that he’s back, but it’s gonna take a little work to get him back out there,” said employee Krystal Manley. “But he will definitely be back out there.”

Manley said the mascot will require new paint, some stiching, and a new eye–which could take a week or two.

[via KGW.com]

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I found an interesting article about the Fish Leather Tribe from northern China. Back in the day, this tribe not only ate fish, but they made their clothes, shoes, shelter and even boats from durable fish leather.

Honestly, I had no idea you could make leather from fish skins. You learn something new every day!

Making fish leather clothing involved a complicated process. The fish skin was removed, the scales were scraped off with a wooden knife, the oily skin was hammered with a wooden mallet and dried. Afterward the fish leather was as soft as cotton and water-proof, ideal for people who lived around water.

After some snooping around the Internet, I learned that fish leather is not just a thing of the past. Check out Sea Leather Wear, they sell lots of clothing and accessories made out of non-endangered fish leather, including boots, jackets and dresses. Amazing!

Note: Awesome hair style NOT included:

Here’s a video I found on Youtube of a woman modeling a fish-leather bikini. Time to go fishing!

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This is so interesting… a woman in the UK has made a wardrobe of clothing by GROWING “cloth” in a vat of bacteria, yeast and green tea! As the bacteria/tea ferments, fibers sprout and fuse together.

So very cool! From Ecouterre:

From this microbial soup, fibers begin to sprout and propagate, eventually resulting in thin, wet sheets of bacterial cellulose that can be molded to a dress form. As the sheets dry out, overlapping edges “felt” together to become fused seams. When all moisture has evaporated, the fibers develop a tight-knit, papyrus-like surface that can be bleached or stained with fruit and vegetable dyes such as turmeric, indigo, and beetroot.

The clothing is currently on display at the Science Museum in London, as part of the exhibit, Trash Fashion: Designing Out Waste.

[Bio-Couture via Ecouterre and BoingBoing]

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I’m sorry… car crashes are no laughing matter, but this is too funny.

KGW.com is reporting a zombie car crash that happened last night in Portland, OR.

All the people in the car were wearing zombie costumes when it crashed on the freeway. The victims suffered “non-life-threatening injuries,” but they confused onlookers with all of their gory makeup!

A car full of people dressed as zombies crashed on Interstate 84 near downtown Portland on Friday, causing initial confusion by people who witnessed the crash.

Police said that in their investigation they learned that the people inside the car were dressed as zombie costumes and they were headed to a party at the time of the crash. Sgt. Greg Stewart said people who witnessed the crash initially thought the victims’ injuries were much more serious, because of the zombie costumes.

“We’re glad that everyone is alive, despite being ‘undead’,” Sgt. Stewart said, referring to the costumes.

I’m glad everyone is okay!

LOL, can you imagine the confusion? Oh, man….

[via KGW.com]

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The people of Iran have even less to smile about these days. Mullets have officially been banned by the Iranian government!

They released a catalog of acceptable hair styles, which bans mullets, ponytails, and spiky hair. Good news for Iranian Elvis impersonators, though… apparently an “Elvis” hairstyle is okay.

I find this news to be quite sad. Mullets are a great source of entertainment. Too bad, Iran, you are missing out.

[Telegraph.co.uk via BoingBoing]

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