Put Some Life Into Frankenstein Day
Looking for a way to add a little frightful fun to the second-to-last night in August? Suit up in a Frankenstein costume and help celebrate a monster of a day – Frankenstein Day. Frankenstein Day, designated as the 30th of August, is meant to pay tribute to the birth date of author Mary Wollenstone Shelley who wrote this infamous story. “Frankenstein.” Born August 30, 1818, Shelley wrote the book that practically spawned the entire genre of horror entertainment when she was just 18 years old.
As you may already know, the fictional Dr. Victor Frankenstein was fascinated with science and through his research uncovered the secret to imbuing inanimate objects with the living. After considering the feasibility of bringing a corpse back to life, Dr. Frankenstein assembled a hodgepodge of human body parts and pieced together a larger-than-life creation in the form of a man. However, shortly after making the man, he loses the beauty of his dream and is filled with disgust and horror at his creation – Frankenstein’s monster. Of course, the monster is lonely and sad, not understanding life as a true human and much tragedy follows.
When you think if a Frankenstein costume, the image that comes to mind is the hulking silhouette created in the 1931 Universal Studios movie where Boris Karloff plays the monster. Even though the flick is set in black-and-white, the look for a monster of Frankenstein costume features a tattered and too-small dark suit with broad shoulders and a face cast with a sickly greenish hue. Also signature to the face of Frankenstein’s monster were a thick forehead, sunken eyes, silver bolts sticking out both sides of his neck and sloppy scars from railroad-track style surgical stitching.
While Frankenstein costumes make sense for celebrating Frankenstein Day, the other obvious venue for these theatrical threads is on Halloween. There are quite a few variations of the best Halloween costumes for frightful fun with the horror genre. You can even create your own realistic Frankenstein costume with a hand-me-down suit, green face paint, special effects kits for designing the face scars. Don’t forget the signature walk of this big guy who lumbers through the hallways with heavy steps, locked knees and outstretched arms. He’s alive!
You Won’t Be-weave This Hair
“Hair Wars” is an annual event on tour that is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before – if your hair isn’t standing on end in excitement, it surely will be by the show! Started in 1991 by David Humphries, this competition of hairstyles is a showcase for stylists and their salons to bring their outrageous coif creations to life. Here, the stylists are truly accomplished artists using hair as a medium to create unusual, elaborate and sure-to-be-talked about masterpieces.
In 2010, “Hair Wars” celebrated its 25th anniversary with yet another touring show – since its initial inception in Detroit decades ago, each show has gotten bigger, better and wilder! A typical show might last over four hours and feature 250 hair model that strut their stuff across the runway. While they might wear elaborate costume outfits, each model is dressed in a way that helps show off the hair. From interlocked Olympic rings seemingly suspended above a model’s head to plumed Las Vegas showgirl headdresses made entirely of hair, spectators have to be wondering how its all done.
Other memorable hair styles have included spider web headpiece, a football touchdown goal and helicopter hairstyle with an actual rotating propeller. Each of the styles is planned months in advance and a stylist might actually start making some of the pin in pieces weeks before the event. Prior the show, the hair artists work feverishly backstage to pin, glue and weld (just kidding) these unusual hair extensions onto the head to complement the model’s natural hair.
It’s basically a hair fantasy come to life! Why make a statement with just a costume or clothing when you can live larger than life with outrageous hair – we’re telling you, it’s all about the hair! If you’re interested in replicating a “Hair Wars” inspired ‘do, you’ll need to stock up on some supplies – bobby pinks, lots and lots of heavy-duty hairspray, and fake hair extensions that you can twist, braid, curl and sculpt up into anything you please. Transform your locks into a Halloween costume worthy look by using spray-in color (rinses out), glitter mousse, and all types of props!
Good Greenness – The Green Lantern
Actor Ryan Reynolds appeared at Comic-con 2010 in late July to generate buzz about the upcoming Warner Bros. superhero flick, “Green Lantern” expected in 2011. Armed with the proverbial power ring, the beau-hunk actor was on hand during the studio’s presentation of the film and charmingly answered fan questions. Reports even say that he recited the Green Lantern’s legendary oath for a young boy in the audience – “In brightest day and darkest night, no evil shall escape my sight.”
One thing that superhero fans were up in arms about, however, was the mysterious lack of presence of the suit. “Where is it, we want to see it,” the crowd demanded. I mean, if Ryan’s out promoting his superhero movie, shouldn’t he be suited up in the proverbial Spandex? Sit down for this; apparently the suit was fashioned entirely from CGI, so he never actually wore the suit for filming. Another non-traditional element of the Green Lantern costume is that it does not feature the signature white gloves that were part of the crime-fighters ensemble in the comics and cartoons. Actually, Reynolds admitted he thinks the white gloves were “lame” but reassured the convention-goers that “the fanboys and the people new to the character are going to love it (the Green Lantern costume).”
Of course, if you are interested in a Green Lantern superhero costume, you’re not going to be able to rely on computer-generated images – you’re going to have to suit up the old-fashioned way. The retro comic book look features a black skin-tight suit with green boot covers and a green-muscled chest feature with the Green Lantern logo in the center. The great thing about having these built-in, padded muscles is that you don’t have to hit the gym to look ripped. A green eye mask also helps partially cover your face so that you can head out in disguise.
Another necessary element for any Green Lantern costume, Hollywood or Halloween bound, is the power ring. This ring has magical capabilities and has been described as "the most powerful weapon in the universe." The power ring can translate language, split atoms, be summoned from a distance – whatever the wearer wills to happen, the ring will execute or create. The only limitation of the Green Lantern’s ring is that it has to be recharged by flame from his personal battery, the Lantern. Good thing the Green Lantern costume version works of regular, store-bought batteries!
Furry Feet Are Fine For Hobbits
Hobbits are curious creatures – folks are endeared to Hobbits for many reasons, I love them because they have furry feet! Diminutive in statue, Hobbits are a fictional race created by J.R.R. Tolkien in his legendary novels and later brought to the big screen in The Lord of The Rings trilogy. On the horizon is a new movie based on the prologue to the three book series, “The Hobbit”. While getting the movie made has had its ups and downs, rumor has it that it is back on track and expected for release (part one, at least) some time in 2012.
According to Tolkien’s writings and hopefully portrayed in the movie, Hobbits are between two and four feet, fairly stout, have pointed ears and feet covered in curly hair. A Hobbit favors bright clothing, especially yellow and green, which is unusual because by personality a Hobbit is quite shy and reserved. Despite a quiet, comfort-loving nature, Hobbits can be quite brave and perform courageous acts when the situation calls for it.
There are many Hobbit costumes available for purchase that came into popularity with the Lord of the Rings movies staring Elijah Woods as the Hobbit, Frodo Baggins and Ian Holm as the elder Bilbo Baggins. Frodo is described as a “perky chap with a bright eye” and he wore the traditional hobbit style of knee-lengths breeches, shirt, waistcoat, jacket, and full cloak. A Frodo costume or Bilbo Baggins costume also needs the requisite hair-covered foot, and conveniently most costume shops sell such novelties as Hobbit feet!
Even the awful and withered-looking Gollum was once a Hobbit, although decidedly not as loveable-looking. If you don’t mind looking shriveled, speaking in a scary, throaty voice and referring to yourself self in third-person, a Gollum costume may be for you - my precious! A frightening latex mask with his wasted-away features, sparse teeth and silvered blue eyes can be added to a black shirt and pants to create this Lord of the Rings costume.
Fly High in Justice League Costumes
Superheroes, they’re everywhere – if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em! With Marvel’s “The Avengers” scheduled for release in 2011, it brings back rumors of the “is-it or isn’t it” happening of a Justice League movie. Not too long back, DC Comics was into the production of their superhero movie, “Justice League: Mortal.” Rumor has it that the movie, to have been directed by George Miller, was already over $200 million in expenses before the axe on the project dropped while filming in Australia. Ouch. Surfing around on the internet, it seems like it may be gearing back up for 2013.
Regardless of when a Justice League movie will be made, fans will be lining up to see the world’s most famous group of good guys (and girl). Featured in comic books, cartoons and movies, this team of crime-fighters has evolved over time, with new characters coming and going. But, for the most part, the main members of the Justice League (and the ones most likely to be in the upcoming flick) are Superman, Batman, The Flash Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and the Martian Manhunter.
Halloween and children’s birthday parties are sure to be infused with plenty of superhero costumes, party merchandise and toys thanks to the renewed interest in superheroes of both Marvel and DC Comic persuasion. Dress up as the “Man of Steel” in a Superman or as the “Caped Cruisader” in a Batman costume and head out to save the day – or, better yet, head of the casting agent’s office and see if you can land one of the roles!
Really, you can’t go wrong wearing a superhero costume. Head-to-toe Spandex is sure to get you noticed wherever you go and may even gain you the nod into that exclusive club you’ve wanted to hang out at! Other great places for superhero costumes is to meet up with all the other fanboys and fangirls at the nearest comic convention – or host your own superhero shindig and make wearing a Justice League costume part of the deal! Bam – Pow – Shazamm!
Angelina Jolie Will Rule Her Cleopatra Costume
If you haven’t heard yet, Oscar-winner Angelina Jolie will be donning the golden headdress to play the legendary Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra. To be produced by Scott Rudin, CLEOPATRA: A LIFE may remind movie goers of the last time a sexy movie star played this infamous Queen of the Nile. Only time will tell if Elizabeth Taylor (who portrayed the Queen in the 1963 $44 million epic film) will have to abdicate the iconic silver screen image of Cleopatra to Jolie.
If you’re not up on your history, this ancient “modern” woman ruled Egypt as the last Pharoah in the 1st century BC. Not only was she Queen, she usually got what she wanted first living and cavorting about with Julius Caesar until his assassination and then realigning herself with Marc Antony to avoid the throes of Roman imperialism. As dramatic and colorful as her life, her death was less so – although still notable. After Antony committed suicide after falsely learning of her death, she killed herself by allowing a poisonous snake to bite her.
Cleopatra costumes are almost guaranteed to hold court this Halloween and at other year-round masquerades, they’ve always been popular since Liz popularized the look of Celopatra with heavy eyeliner and blue eye shadow up to the brows. Elaborate Cleopatra costumes can be purchased as long, flowing white gown and a heavily ornamented collar and sash. Or the crafty queen-to-be can whip up a toga-like dress from a white sheet and use gold lame fabric to add royal accents. With her Egyptian heritage, Cleopatra is depicted with long, black hair – often cut to the chin. While the real hair of a lady living in Egypt may have been a bit curlier (no flat-irons back then), you can’t deny it is a diva-licious look, especially when topped with her signature gold-beaded headdress.
Katie Channels Jackie Kennedy in Upcoming Biopic
Married to Tom Cruise, she’s Hollywood royalty and now Katie Holmes gets to portray the closest thing we’ve ever had to an American Princess – First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Holmes is shooting The History Channel’s upcoming mini-series, “The Kennedys” and is having no complaints about the costumes.
Set to air in 2011, this biopic about President John F. Kennedy (played by Greg Kinnear) and his fashion-icon wife will air over eight hours, featuring numerous costume changes paying tribute to the 60s era. Long before Holmes was cast to play Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, she was often mentioned in the press to be a modern-day version of the style icon.
Recently, Holmes told US magazine that “her clothes were magnificent” and that she felt so lucky to have a team of seamstresses on the costuming team to create beautiful replica dresses. Additionally, she reported that designer Armani made two dresses for the mini-series. Pictures that have been snapped on the set of “The Kennedys” does show a striking resemblance between the two women.
If you are looking to dress up in a Jackie Kennedy costume for Halloween, a school play or some other historical re-enactment, she always favored smart dresses paired with pill box hats and elegant evening gowns with opera-length gloves. The styles of her first lady costumes are very 1960s with an a-line silhouette, usually made by the most prominent designers of the time. Jackie didn’t just wear fashion, she set fashion trends – so many women and young ladies looked up to her innate grace and beauty. Make your own history wearing one of these women’s costume ideas worthy of the White House.
Big Reveal on Captain America Costumes
Oh my stars and garters, a big screen salute to the comic book’s Captain America is set for release sometime during summer 2011! Marvel Studios will be bringing their pumped-up patriot to star in a feature film called “Captain America: The First Avenger” and it will feature actor Chris Evans in the signature spandex suit. The plot in a bean shell; a US soldier gains super-human strength, power and agility after taking an experimental serum and ends up saving the world during WWII.
At Comic-con in San Diego, Chris Evans told MTV that he will wear several versions of a Captain America costume throughout the movie – right now he is still in the fitting stage of the costume process. Evans does reveal that because the action takes place during WWII, the superhero costume will have a “chunkier” look to it to serve the time period better – it’s not a “sleek spandex suit” but basically a 40s-inspired soldier costume. Also, instead of the iconic round shield ringed in red-white-and-blue and marked with a star in the center, there are hints that the shield for the Captain America costume will be quite different. Evans explains that the look is “updated” to fit with the plot of the movie.
Whether you’re rooting for the Captain America costume or are a die-hard fan of the old style Captain America suit, you can be darn sure that this superhero’s look is going to be popular for Halloween costumes this year and next. No word yet on when licensed costumes from the flick will be hitting the market, but you can still get comic-book Avenger costumes to show your support for this famous fictional crime-fighter. Great for a Halloween party, cosplay event or just bustin’ up the bad guys!
La Cage Aux Folles Costumes a Drag (In a Good Way)!
“It’s rather gaudy, but it’s also rather grand” – that’s how La Cage Aux Folles” is being described, which isn’t hard to believe. This musical review, based on the book by Harvey Fierstein, is back on Broadway and is a confirmed smash-hit. Winning the 2010 Tony Award for “Best Musical Revival” the showcase stars “Fraiser’s” Kelsey Grammer as nightclub owner, Georges, and 2010 Tony Best Actor Winner, Douglas Hodge, as his partner and moonlighting chanteuse.
The Albin character has quite a few great costumes being the featured songbird in the San Tropez nightclub. Guys can go in drag like Albin wearing a Marilyn Monroe costume complete with platinum blonde wig that captures her look in the iconic street-grate-blowing-skirt-up movie, “The Seven Year Itch’. Or, a diva-esque gown, glitzy jewelry and a feather boa captures another look for La Cage costumes as does a man-sized Dorothy costume from the “Wizard of Oz”. Despite his favor for flair and sparkly fashion, Albin is also shown wearing a straight-laced women’s suit and sensible shoes for a meeting with the Georges’ parents.
The Georges character is also flamboyant but not as much into drag. One memorable men’s costume he wears in the show is a purple velvet tuxedo with huge black lapels and a frilly, ruffled shirt. Always ready to kick it up showgirl style are the scantily clad “Cagelles” that wear a variety of Las Vegas style dancer costumes and headpieces.
Must-haves for men dressing up in a La Cage costume include fishnet stockings and extra-wide shorts with a moderate heel, so as to not fall flat on your face. To create the curves of a woman, simply wear a bra that has been stuffed with socks, poly-fill or “chicken cutlets”. The wig of your choice should be complemented with heavy stage makeup to create a feminine face – don’t forget to shave! Most likely, you’ll have to order one of the larger women’s costumes worn in “La Cage Aux Folles” and if necessary, have it altered to fit.
Costume Cosplay at Comic-Con 2010
Last week, July 21 through 24, geeks from every corner of the planet turned off their game consoles and made the pilgrimage to San Diego for Comic-Con 2010. Host to more than 150,000 fans, this ultimate "multiplayer" gathering is an alternate universe created to honor movies, manga, anime, video games, music and, of course, the media that started it all – comic books.
Comic-Con is definitely not the type of convention that you show up in a stuffy, grey business suit. Costumes, although not required for entrance, seem almost de rigueur as fanboys and fangirls strut their stuff up and down the exhibition halls. The more elaborate the costume the better – and you’ll see all the tried and true superhero characters as well as their appointed arch enemies. From Spiderman and Lex Luther to Batman and The Joker, it can be a surreal experience to see these characters just hanging out at Comic-Con doing regular stuff – eating in the food court, shopping for souvenirs and sitting in the audience during panel discussions.
Dressing up in what many would consider Halloween costumes is just a fun way for participants to show off a passion for all the fictional characters that have kept them entertained over the years. Actually, this type of activity is called “cosplay” (eg: costume play) and is a past-time that started in Japan as a result of anime and manga media but has now spread all over the world. Cosplay can range from characters from Japanese anime like Naruto and Sailor Moon but can also cross the galaxy to science fiction and fantasy characters including Star Trek, Lord of the Rings and more.
Some of the biggest draws of the weekend were centered around upcoming blockbuster films based on stories from the Golden Age and Silver Age of comics. For example, Green Lantern costume were out in green-spandexed force to represent the upcoming 2011 big screen adaptation starring actor Ryan Reynolds. Taking another page from pulp fiction morphing into superhero flick, Thor costumes and Captain American costumes were other big sightings at the Comic-Con venue. If you are looking for costume ideas for your next superhero event, you’ll get lots of inspiration from Comic-Con.
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