Snow White Goes Hard Core

Some time ago, I was presented with a challenge by local fetish and bondage wear designer Peter Martin, to style his handcuff belt (named the Briannatron) in my own unique, Super Kawaii way. Each piece is personally made by Peter using top quality New Zealand leather, steel attachments and saddlery rivets. Buttery soft and sharp all at the same time.

Both myself and fellow Aussie blogger Esme and the Laneway, both took on the challenge to showcase his creation, shooting it with our own particular spin. I was so interested to see Peter's work worn in a different and unpredictable manner. All too often alternative designers and their wares are pidgeon holed as only being relevant to those with hardcore tastes. But look a little further, unleash your creativity, and explore a whole new fashion language just waiting for you to make it sing.

Outfit Details: Top - Miss Shop, Skirt - Boo Radley, Shoes - Urban Originals, Belt - Peter Martin, Gloves - Dents, Headband - USA Disney Store.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is not a very Australian tradition. In fact the main tradition associated with Halloween here is the lack of fan fare and the derision of those brave souls willing to take part. Most poor children are greeted with apples, a handful of beer nuts or a tin of tuna. But not at Chez SKM. I love any chance to dress up as you well know, so Halloween is high on my list of things to love. Whether the celebrations are small or large, I love the opportunity to decorate in theme and wheel out one of my many costumes for public consumption. The neighbours already think I am a little on the odd side, so why not stick with the theme?

Miss Four has been planning for the big event for the last couple of months. She's mapped out a trick or treat route, assembled a few costumes and even done a few sneaky trial trick or treating runs with a neighbourhood girl while Mama was out! So the table is laid, all scary and cute, and the huge dish of candy is by the front door. But where is Miss Four? All laid up on the sofa nursing a stomach bug and still professing her ability to hit the town. I'm not sure that her current "trick" is terribly hygenic though. Still, having a Four year old throw up on your porch could be pretty scary. So we may have to have a Halloween weekend here, as I don't plan to have an unexpected decoration on the lapel of my new costume.

But because I am already in Halloween mood, I have a few treats to hand your way.

Hello Kitty Halloween Themed Wallpapers. You'll find some Christmas ones here too just to get you started for the holiday season.

Hello Kitty Halloween E Cards. - You need to sign up for an account, but all the super cute stuff is so worth it.

Kawaii Monster Buttons. - But you'll have to be quick, only available today!

If you're feeling little more creative, try you hand at a kawaii bento box, like this one!

And to my fellow Australians, get yourself a fun pack of Snickers to keep by the door, because you just never know when a nauseous Four year old dress as Mulan may appear.

*My apologies for the absence of postings over the last few days. I am having both PC and connectivity issues at present, that are interrupting the normal order of things. Please bear with me whilst I whip the appropriate people. *

Wearing it Wild at Worn Wild

Yesterday saw the inauguration of the alternative fashion event Worn Wild, and wild it was! My intention was to bring you a single review of the day, but after meeting with so many creative designers in one day, I have so many gems that one post would not be enough to do them justice. So I'll bring you a series of interviews with my favorite designers and a look at their wares over the course of the next two weeks.

Me - Super Kawaii Mama dressed by Minikem

The event was held at La Di Da in Little Bourke street, the perfect venue with its retro chinoiserie decorations and well stocked bar. The brain child of Melissa Clare from Geomythik, this was the first fashion event I've seen in Australia with such a diverse collection of local, alternative fashion. In my usual manner I wanted to know as much as possible about this event from the inside, and so was kindly dressed by one of the designers for the day. Minikem outfitted me in a rather Gothic Lolita styled number, complete with tutu and corset. Although her designs range from the corporate to the extreme, I couldn't possibly tone it down for such an event. I know some of you were also planning to attend, but there is a strong chance you wouldn't have recognised me in this number.

One of the things that surprised me most about the day was the diversity of the crowd and the lack of attitude and angst. There is much more attitude to be encountered at the mainstream shows of Fashion Week, so in contrast Worn Wild was like being at one fabulously dressed party.

Samantha

Celeste, Brett and Sif the Ferret

Pink haired beauty

Rachelle and the darling Ruby




Kitty Elixir, Natalie, Samantha Doll, Howsie



Michael



Tall, dark and striking




Super Kawaii Mama, Miss Nic and her lovely assistant

Even if hard core alternative is not your thing, you couldn't help but be inspired by the colours, (yes, there were some amidst the sea of black) textures and craftsmanship of the garments. Each of the designers I spoke with had such a strong passion for their art which was clearly seen in the detail of each piece. There was whimsy and fantasy, the sharp and the strong, the dark and the dirty. My tip on the trend to watch is what I'm terming Erotic Baroque, strong silhouettes in luxe fabrics, worked in soft and gilded colours. Think Miss Haversham (Dickens) meets Marie Antionette - as played by Helena Bonhman Carter. I even saw a few little bird headdresses that Susie Bubble would have been proud of.

For a complete list of the days exhibitors visit the Worn Wild official site and be tempted by some spanking style.

Something a Little Different

Outfit details: Plaid dress - Review, Black top - Esprit, Opaques - Voodoo, Shoes- Luca & Marc, Earrings - Groove, Rose ring - Accessories.

As a Goth from way back, I'm always looking for opportunities to indulge this side of my personality. So heading out for dinner with my family was a great excuse. I have an addiction to dark colours, heavily textured fabrics (hmmm... velvet) macabre motifs and lots of shiny black. Generally I use all these elements in moderation, but occasionally a little excess is just right. I like to call this my "Sophisticated Gothic". I don't go in for oversized velvet skirts and peasant tops, I find them a tragically unflattering combination. As with any look, I like to take key elements and mix them up to create something uniquely me. Dressing in a formulaic manner, or subscribing to one specific subculture, would simply become too boring.

But probably one of the biggest shocks of this look will be the absence of the red lips! Yes, I do occasionally leave them behind. Truth be told, I was planning such a large and delicious dinner that I didn't want to worry about getting lipstick everywhere, and so I went with a very dark eye and super pale lip instead.

And while we are on the Something a Little Different Train....

For those of you in Melbourne, you'll be aware that Spring Fashion week is almost upon us. Amongst the slick, chic and high profile fashion shows on offer, is one gem that the true fashion innovators amongst you cannot miss. Worn Wild - an alternative designers showcase and market, will be making its debut at this 2008 Spring Fashion Week. Hosted at La di da at 577 Little Bourke Street on Sunday September the 7th from 1pm, this will be a fashion event like no other you have ever experienced. The event features the work of cutting edge local and interstate designers of rockabilly, raver, clubwear, cyber, corsetry, street style, emo, gothic, lolita, queer, vintage, burlesque, flower powered and fringe inspired fashion. You will even have the opportunity to try on items that are usually reserved for custom orders. So yes, I am very excited! And the icing on the cake? I am being dressed by one of the designers for the day to rocks their wares as only Super Kawaii Mama can! So see Daddy in the morning for Father's Day, then head on down to Worn Wild with me.

Fairytale Fashion

My Mr. arrived home from his 'conference' tonight. And so to celebrate, we spent some quality family time, which meant Pizza and a movie with Miss 4. So we sat down to watch Enchanted. I think that he and I actually enjoyed it more than her, as she was quite miffed by the ending,(I won't give it away in the off chance you haven't seen it). Watching Amy Adams in all her frothy glory got me thinking, which fairytale characters do I find the most fashion inspiration in?

I just love Glenn Close as Cruella DeVille. The drama, the shape and texture of her garments, not to mention the outstanding hair. My long term fashion goal is to channel Cruella once I hit 80 years old. That would get this old dame a seat on the bus!

Snow White (portrayed here by Rachael Weiss) is one of the few ' good girls' of happily ever after land, whose style I admire. Not too frothy, a nicely waisted dress and deep rich colours. Best of all, she's the poster girl for SPF 30 and alabaster skin, which is my natural state.

The Snow Queen for Narnia. I love the way she swathes herself in her garments and works with a monocromatic pallete, varying the texture for interest and depth. Once again pale, comanding and carries a large pointy stick (okay a wand to some) to poke naughty children with.

The Disney Evil Queen. Now she never has a bad hair day. While I'm not too keen on the wimple effect, the tirara is certainly making an appearance in my outfits. The element of her style I love best, is the oversized, high collars that both frame her face and provide a screen like effect for her to narrow her eyes over and make things happen with a single glance.


When it comes to Witches, Glinda the Good Witch from the wizard of Oz, is my What Not To Wear. Nasty sleeves, bad crown, colours that don't suit her skin tone ( I know it was Technicolour but still..) I was always much more enamoured by The Wicked Witch of The West. Those fabulous stockings and she was the original owner of those stunning shoes, which her opportunistic sister stole from her cold, dead feet!



All this has lead me to discover a pattern which I have long suspected. Most of my fashion inspiration comes from the dark side of the force. Oh well, I may as well give in to the cape and be done with it!

Drama Queen

I know some of you secretly love playing dress ups as much as I do, but it's not all fun and games. After enduring the pain of those sharp and spiky heated rollers, Joan started to come alive. There was much teasing and hairspray involved, which started to bring on fume induced flash backs. I had no idea what I was actually planning to wear until a few short hours before hand, but I knew I needed big hair and lashing of Coco. In the end I went with this original 80's knitted cocktail dress and huge, vintage white fur coat.

I admit, taking these shots and trying to keep a straight face, (not come over all smiley like I usually do) was a challenge. While to party was a hoot, and there were a few stand out performances (Slash, Magnum P.I and a few school uniforms) overall, it looked less like we were at an 80's party and more like a sad bunch of people who had just not updated our wardrobes. Talking to a lot of the guests, that is exactly where their outfits came from! Although we were a motley crew, (ha ha) it all came together to look eerily like a period film rather than a Halloween type event. I was asked multiple times during the evening why I hadn't dressed up! Fair enough, I had never met these people before, but does this say more about me or them?