Speakeasy Jazz Baby

A sketch I did of a Speakeasy Jazzbaby.  Simply put, I want to make this!  I'm thinking Navy and Pewter.  How Mackie is that fur cacoon coat?  Nothing like Navy fox fur to get your motor running... sweet sweet Navy Fox Fur.

-Philip Estrada

Just Plain Cher

I think it's high time that I address Bob Mackie and Cher's 40 year collaboration.  How awesome is it that they kept working together?!  It must be because their fabulocity skills are unmatched by man or beast.  It could also be one of those "with our powers combined, we will be unstoppable" situations, and so far it pretty much has been.  Trust me... no one is complaining.

This amazing Cher costume sketch was worn during the song "Ain't Nobody's Business" from her "Monte Carlo Show" which was televised from the Sporting Club of Monte Carlo, right on the water, in 1980.  Cher shared the billing with the second in command of the Kingdom of Rhinestones,  Liberace.  Could you imagine such a show?  I would have been freaking out every second!  Screaming like a school girl and fake fainting everytime there was a costume change.  It would have been a life changing experience.



A photo from Cher's performance.



 Cher and Liberache
(I can not confirm that this is from "The Monte Carlo Show")

The beginning of the show when she changes into the ensemble.

The second section of the show including the outfit and a quick change to a new Mackie!

The wrap and sketch were auctioned off in 2010 and each fetched over $4,000.  The highest I could go on the wrap was $3,999... bummer.

I wonder if there is anyone out there on the interwebs that was at this auction... or the performance!  If so PLEASE share your stories!

-Philip Estrada 

The Vamp an Illustration

Well hello there!  I'm glad you've made it!  Sit down, pour yourself a drink.  Now that you're comfy and properly lubricated, check out this sassy broad.

I call her "The Vamp."  She's a silent screen star from the early days of Hollywood, not unlike Norma Desmond.  This is actually one of my favorite pieces.  I sketched a few weeks ago and have been dreaming of her sparkly goodness since.  The skull cap and fringe will be varying sized rhinestones in Smoke and Black Diamond colors.  The dress is strapless in a gunmetal bias cut silk satin.  It will be encrusted in smaller sized rhinestones and sequins. The faux over dress brings the drama when it becomes an Erte inspired train complete with a tassel made of the same stones as the skull cap and dress.  The cocoon coat is one of Bob Mackie's favorite shapes.  The cuffs will be fox fur, only the finest for Hollywood's brightest star.  I know the dress is not very period accurate for the 1920s but when you look THAT good, who cares?! 

This is also a great time to show my technology skills off to Mr. Mackie.  The sketch above was actually a composite of 2 different sketches that I put together and colored completely in Photoshop.  See below the original pencil drawings. 

 

Bob, give me a call and let me know when we are going to start working on this ensemble!

-Philip Estrada