La Mode du Vampire
by Perian Sully, First published for the March/April 2010 issue of Finery Since the publication of Dracula by Bram Stoker in 1898, the classic or romantic vampire has been a very popular cultural phenomenon. A vampire is a sympathetic figure, their personal struggle between some spark of latent human goodness – usually instigated by his falling in love with a mortal […]
Quick Bright Things
by Linda Wenzelburger, First published for the September/October 2009 issue of Finery Perhaps the first thing people think of when it comes to faerie costuming is wings. Wings can be simple or incredibly elaborate. There are so many possibilities! They can be bird wings or butterfly. Dragonfly or bone. Branches or leaves. Hard or soft. Paper or fabric. And on, […]
Shadows in the Sun
by Sally Norton and Frannie Germeshausen, First published for the September/October 2009 issue of Finery Dark Shadows, which aired every weekday afternoon from 1966 to 1971, was one of the all-time great cult TV shows. It starred a vampire, featured time travel, and included witches, ghosts and even a werewolf. The GBACG will celebrate the show this year with a picnic on Saturday, October 17. 2009. So, what should one wear […]
Faeries Bright and Dark
by Bridget Bradley-Scaife and Jennifer Jespersen, First published for the July/August 2009 issue of Finery When observing faeries on the whole, there are two distinctions that have become most well-known: those of the Seelie Court and those of the Unseelie Court. This division is based in Scottish mythology, and it is used to determine the good faeries from the bad. […]
Steampunk Costuming
by Sahrye Cohen. Originally published in the March / April, 2009 issue of Finery. Cogs, clocks, shiny brass and ingenious inventions – your imagination is the limit in steampunk costuming! Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used. Often this setting is Victorian or Edwardian Europe and America, […]
Fabulous! The Art of Being an Historical Fashion Icon
by Lindsey Eastman. Originally published for the March / April 2009 issue of Finery. How do you stand out in a sea of French Hood and giant turn back sleeves? Or differentiate yourself from every other woman in a sacque-back gown and lace? How do you make a bustle gown the toast of the room? These are the questions that […]
So You Want to Be a Superhero?
by Bruce Mai, First published for the September/October 2004 issue of Finery Ever thought of making a superhero costume of your own? Creating an original idea frees you from the trouble of having to recreate a comic-book character. You can design whatever you want, with whatever powers you want. Try starting with a hero who either has a specific mission […]
Gibson Girls on the Loose
by Anonymous, First published for the March/April 2004 issue of Finery Will you be a graceful Edwardian lady in a lavishly trimmed white gown or a sporty Gibson Girl in a trim shirtwaist and tailored skirt at our garden party on April 25th? Edwardian dress gives you many choices and styles to choose from. In the summer of 1899, fashion […]
