Featured Angel: Estelle

The name "Estelle" means "star", and this glamorous bombshell is glittering like the jewels of the heavenly Firmament! With the sweet charm of Marilyn, a sophisticated sweep of Art Deco, and a shimmering sprinkle of sparkles, Estelle has got megawatts of star power!

Available exclusively from Cristina McAllister as high-quality digital art prints on fine art papers or canvas and customizable greeting cards.

Addicted Image

An enticing moment captured by Addicted Image:
http://addictedimage.com/

Kat Bret Photography

My first glimpse of San Francisco photographer Kat Bret's work was the above image, which I spied on a steampunk site some time ago. Recent web wanderings have lead me to more of her lovely imagery - here is a small sampling.
More of Ms. Bret's work can be found on her website:
http://www.katbret.com/index.php
and her DeviantArt Gallery:
http://katbretphotography.deviantart.com/

Lacy Chokers by Art of Adornment

Art of Adornment is a Canadian jewelry studio that creates "historically-inspired vintage Victorian, romantic Renaissance, daring 1920's and dark modern Gothic style - limited edition and one-of-a-kind accessories made from rare, unusual and exquisite components".
I'm especially taken with their lace chokers made from fancy trim and appliques embellished with jewels and pendants.
Beyond their elegant jewelry, they also carry a selection of hair accessories and hats, hosiery, fans and wooden "cigar box" purses and jewelry boxes.

http://www.artofadornment.ca/catalog/index.php

Lush Imagery from Aesthetic Alchemy

Multi-talented Darien Revel, the mind (and apparently body) behind Aesthetic Alchemy, masterfully combines moody sets, lush costumes, fierce makeup, props and lighting to create unique fine photography for the fashion and portrait markets.
I adore the glasses!
http://www.aestheticalchemy.com/

More Fantastic Hats...by Elsie Massey

I just received a letter from Ms. Purdy, whom I recently featured in a post about her fabulous hats. She informed me that the hat pictured at the top of that post was not one of her own creations, but was, in fact, made by one Elsie Massey – another delightful hatmaker and colleague of hers.

Elsie Massey Originals is a fourth-generation family business that originated in New Castle-on-tyne, England by Elsie's Grandmother. The shop has an extensive selection of finery to choose from: English garden hats, French riding hats, Walk-in-the-Park hats, Touring hats, small brim, large brim, chiffon brim, hats for children, and more.
She has even thoughtfully gathered all of her black hats into one section for the Gothic purists, or perhaps for those looking for mourning attire.

I just love all the rich colors and charming details. They evoke a bygone era of elegance and style that’s rarely seen in everyday life nowadays. How fun it must have been to swath oneself in fine silks and brocades and feathers and flowers!
But I’ve read enough historical novels to know that wearing extravagant outfits every day was no Walk-in-the-Park, so to speak. We’re lucky that these days we can choose to play dress-up when we want to, and relax and be casual when we don’t.
Beyond her marvelous hats, Elsie’s shop also features Victorian accessories such as lace and crochet gloves, decorated parasols and fans, feathered hairclips and these wonderful Victorian collars – delightfully simple garments that can effortlessly turn an ordinary blouse or dress into a fabulous period costume piece.

My favorite creations, though, are her fanciful Victorian Witch hats – a unique twist on the ubiquitous pointy chapeau traditionally worn by spell-casting sorceresses. Adorned with whimsical bats, spiders, autumn gourds, fall leaves, even a crow familiar…these outrageous concoctions are pure wicked fun! Seeing these makes me want to design a whole costume to go with them – a fabulous, flamboyant Madame Magick to cluck and fuss over the wee trick-or-treaters on All-Hallows Eve.
We do still have a couple of months till the end of October...hmmmm...

Find Elsie Massey hats and more at:
http://www.elsiemassey.com/

The Pyramid Collection

This print and online catalog features a selection of apparel, accessories, art and gift items that focus on “Magick, Myth, Fantasy & Romance”.
Their “themes” include renaissance, gothic, wicca, Celtic, pirates, and more. They don’t have Steampunk listed as one of their themes, but they do have a number of items that happily fit into this category.
Here are some highlights:

The Pyramid Collection

http://www.pyramidcollection.com/default.asp