Custom Designed Made to Measure 10+ Piece -The Manbulb
I love
designing costumes, theatrical pieces and OTT outfits. Whether for someone I
have known for years or someone I’ve just barely met. It’s like working with a
blank canvas and with no fashion limitations! Simply splendid!
I jumped
at the opportunity to custom-make a 10+ piece costume for a client who was
looking for something dressy, wearable, unique, without being too feminine to
wear to the London Burlesque Festival. It had to include some frills, a bit of
class yet totally commanding...
So I designed just that! A straight corseted torso with low bulbous
shaped skirt, formed by the netted frill underskirt = The Manbulb. Made to
measure to ensure an excellent fit and shape.
I wanted to create a new sort of outfit that wasn’t gender specific. Also I’ve always loved the idea of reversible clothing, or items of clothing that can be used in a variety of ways, not only does it give life to different looks but it’s fun to reuse them with other existing items in your wardrobe. The individual pieces work equally well as separates, such as teaming the frilly shirt and cuffs with some worn denims, wear an existing vintage tee with the oversized bow or neck frill, or the net skirt with something more flouncy!
The costume and the separate pieces could easily keep re-inventing themselves.
With the black and white scheme other colours also could be
introduced to the cuffs for example to give a different look or to blend with
your other items.
Costume included:
Black Cuffs – with detachable
bow straps to be worn with or without the frill, either one or the two together.
Neck/Bustle Frill – brooch backed to be pinned as required.
Made from a mix of vintage lace, heavy black dress satin and antique button.
Oversized Bow – brooch backed to be pinned where required.
We chose the shoulder, hip and base of the back as our favourite spots!
Upcycled Frilly shirt – This vintage 70s frilly shirt was
stripped of its arms and fitted to the client.
Giant Puff n Pearls – also detachable – everyone needs one
of these. Net, white poly mix material and antique pearls embedded to make
puffy quilted look.
Net Skirt – Own design and pattern, made very stiff to hold
The Manbulb skirt in place, with netted tube and mini-skirt overlay.
Manbulb skirt – Own design, pattern. Created with heavy
black dress satin.
Extra Belt Frill – Additional light belt layer to give a
softer look, could be used without this for an even sharper couture feel.
Corset (models own)
Vintage
velvet bow – Unearthed from the Extinct Design treasure chest !
Recycled
vintage pose able glove hat (not featured)
What I
love about working in this way is adding to the base garment of the skirt and
corset extra items, such as a mini cape, scrunched apron style back bustle,
giant corsages, different coloured bows for the cuffs etc – Oh the
possibilities are endless!
If you are interested in having an original, just made for you costume or piece just get in touch – we’ll have a chat heather@extinctdesign.co.uk
Look forward to hearing from you then!
