Makin It Happen With The Cap'n

This update has been a long time coming. For Halloween 2013 I transformed myself into an over the top Vegas style version of Cap'n Crunch. 

Concept illustration 

With an outfit like this I'll surely be promoted to Admiral in no time!

My feather festooned hat. 

Detail of the sash across the front of the hat.

Detail of the epaulette.
The beaded fringe on these were hand strung by me, because I never have enough to do.

Detailed photo showing the soutache motifs.
There was four pairs of this motif down the front of the jacket, one on each sleeve, each tail and the back of the neck. The fabric is an epic blue sequinned material that I found in the garment district.  I love it because it looks like crashing ocean waves, perfect for an old sea dog like The Cap'n.

Detailed photo of the sleeves.
I made doubly sure to include a total of four stripes to avoid the Cap'n/Commander controversy that the Quaker Oats company recently faced. 

-Philip Estrada

Turnt Back The Times

Ryan and I had the pleasure of seeing our patron saint, Cher, in concert here in NYC. She puts on a great show. I hope I'm still giving them hell at her age. 

Since we were seeing The Diva herself we had to dress accordingly. The outfit I made myself was inspired by her iconic "Turn Back Time/I Found Someone" look designed by Bob Mackie. 

Bob Mackie inspiration 

In-mirror bedroom selfie 

Obligatory Bathroom Selfie!!

Detail of the rhinestones

The shirt is a fishnet and black sequin combo. Painstakingly hand sewed and detailed with rhinestones in crystal and two shades of purple. The iconic motorcycle jacket was given an update by making it from black and silver sequined material.

Nothing goes better with an exposed midriff than beer!

This is me going nuts, rightfully so, when Cher sang "Turn Back Time"

Ryan's look was also A HIT!!

Ryan paired his sequined Cher T-shirt I made him with a custom sailor hat encrusted with hundreds of Swarovski Crystals. I even rhinestoned the inside of the brim of his hat in a light blue stone in order to give him even more sparkle.  All night he was greeted with adulation and cheers of delight. At one point money was offered for his hat. Sadly the dude wasn't a serious buyer. 

Before and After

We had a blast and will cherish that night forever!

-Philip Estrada

Blurry Shade - LOL

Sadie Doyle

The Thrilling Adventure Hour rencetly launched a successful kickstarter campaign to fund a concert film DVD.  I had the pleasure of designing and constructing the gown for Miss Paget Brewster in the role of Sadie Doyle in the "Beyond Belief" portion of the show. 

If you are not familiar with Thrilling Adventure Hour you have been missing out!

I'm so lucky to be the designer of a character beloved by so many fans around the world. I hope I lived up to everyone's imagination! 

Paget Brewster shines on stage and the gown did a great job assisting. I can't wait for the DVD to be released so we can all see this gown in action. 

Photo generously provided by Liezl

My costume sketch for Paget Brewster's character Sadie Doyle

Gorgeous Photo by: Allan Amato

Frank and Sadie's signature 'clink.'

Gif generously provided by Liezl

-Philip Estrada

Reunited and it feel SO GOOD!

I woke up this morning to find out some very exciting news!
Our good friend Cher tweeted in the wee hours of the morning confirming that she will be once again donning Sequin Encrusted Bob Mackie masterpieces for her upcoming tour!

I am over the moon right now.
This means a whole new crop of Mackie-Cher creations.  Could I ask for anything more?
I could, but I don't want to get greedy.  I have never been so happy!

Below are some of my favorite creations Bob Mackie has designed for Cher.
CHER! CHER! CHER!!!!  Is any one else losing their minds?!
-Philip Estrada

The Rockettes: Bob Mackie Style

Thanksgiving has come and gone, the turkey has been served, and the war wounded Black Friday shoppers have limped back home with their spoils.  That can only mean one thing: it’s officially “The Christmas Season!” 

Nothing says Christmas more clearly than The Rockettes… well Santa does a pretty good job, but Santa is no where NEAR as glamorous as those high-kicking Radio City gals!

Since seeing The Rockettes is a New York City Christmas tradition this post couldn't be more perfectly timed.  The guys and gals over at the Radio City Music Hall will be celebrating 85 years of high-kicking style!  It has come to my attention that our good pal Bob Mackie designed for the Rockettes in 1981!  The same year that Jubilee! opened in Las Vegas.  Man!  Must have been the busiest of years?!  The Rockettes show this year features many of their signature costumes from its rich history.  It is wonderful that they brought back Mackie's totally tubular turbans!

Here is a copy of Bob's original costume sketch that is actually on sale as a souvenir print!  

I love that Bob resurrects his signature trapunto sequin twists for the turbans. 

I hope everyone enjoys The Holiday Season!

-Philip Estrada

Pink and Bob Mackie Reunite

Hot off the presses of Fuse.TV.  It has been announced that our good friend Bob Mackie will be providing the costumes for Pink's "Truth About Love" tour beginning in February 2013!  THIS IS GREAT NEWS!  We have to get started Bob... time's a wastin'!

Bob and Pink worked together on her "Funhouse" tour in 2009 and she's never looked more awesome!  Here are some of Bob Mackie's sketches for you to enjoy.

I wonder what wonderful things he will come up with this time?!

- Philip Estrada

Not Ashamed Of My Super Fan Status

Shamelessly I proclaim to you, "I am a SUPER FAN!"  Super Fan of what you ask?  Well Mr. Bob Mackie is a given, after all let's not forget the blog's namesake.  Second to him, I am an insane frothing at the mouth type fan of his masterpiece Jubilee!  I am constantly researching that show and finding new references, photos and even blog entries from cast members!

Since I'm a super-pooper-duper obsessed fan it's only natural that I would be doing my own fan art.  This one is inspired by the artwork used to advertise the shows running at The Moulin Rouge in Paris.  I feel like a preteen obsessively drawing versions of my favorite X-men characters... and I love it!  I'll try my best to avoid Jubilee! fan fiction, God only knows how weird that would get.

-Philip Estrada

The Lost Art of Jubilee!: The Second Installment

This time next week I will be in Vegas!  The first order of business will be to go see the glittering Bob Mackie clad goddesses over at Jubilee!  If you’ve been following the blog you know by now that I have an unhealthy fixation on showgirls.  Jubilee! will be my new Las Vegas tradition going forward.  In honor of my return to the Neon Oasis in the Mojave Desert I wanted to share with you the second installment of “The Lost Art of Jubilee!” 

This Bob Mackie design was under consideration for the production of Jubilee! when the costumes were still being designed and not a dancer was cast.

I love this costume because it is unlike anything in the show currently.  I wonder what kinds of feathers they would have used to make her giant multi color pom-pom.  The costume wasn’t ultimately used so this sketch was auctioned at Christie’s in 2005.

-Philip Estrada

There's a Fruit Bowl Up On Her Head

The other night I was scouring my Netflix queue and I decided on a Carmen Miranda movie.  I have been meaning to watch "Copacabana" for some time.  It turned out to be quite a little gem of a film!  Groucho Marx played opposite Miranda and he ended up being a perfectly understaded foil to her over the top acting and facial expressions.

I was so happy to see her stage costumes and giant platform shoes in action.  That lady really knew how to balance produce on her noggin!  One of my favorite head pieces features hair buns in a doughnut motif mixed in with jewels and sequins!  Aye Yi Yi! 

Carmen reminded me of the sketches that Bob Mackie has for sale on his website.  He has a couple of Miss Miranda, one where she is backed up by a few puffy sleeved fellas. 

If you have some time, I recommend checking out this quant little movie.  The songs are fun and Groucho gets in some great one liners.

-Philip Estrada

Happy Birthday Mr. Mackie!

Happy Birthday Mr. Mackie!  

I hope your special day is full of Sparkle & Excitement!

-Philip Estrada

Inspiration - Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey season 2 premiered on PBS last night and I was more than excited to sit down and watch the 2 hour special!  Leading up to the premier I was recounting the first season and all the beautiful clothing that swept across the screen leaving me breathless. 

One of my favorite things about season 1 was how it began with the news of the sinking of the Titanic.  My mind started its journey from there and I began thinking about the Titanic and its sinking, after all, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the fateful event.  When I think about the Titanic, I also recall the scene in Jubilee!  They showed the passengers arrive to the pier in full high fashion as well as the sinking, right on stage.  It was pretty awesome!
With all this fabulocity clanging around my noodle my hands got to sketching.  This fancy gal is what I came up with. 

Meet Diannis Moorepark.  She has arrived, dressed to the nines in her rhinestone encrusted jacket.  She doesn't seem pleased having to wait to board the Titanic and go to her First Class stateroom.  Let's hope she arrives in New York safe and sound.

-Philip Estrada

A Very Mackie Christmas

Christmas is once again upon us!  I hope that everyone enjoys all the holiday season has to offer!  My gift to you is, besides my radiating beauty, is this video I pilfered from Youtube (times are tough, don't judge).

May I present Mrs. Judy Garland, and her children, Lorna and Joe.  Liza is off skating with her beau.  Notice her fur trimmed wide necked gown... it was designed by Mr. Ray Aghayan.  Gotta love his use of brocade. 

Also for your viewing pleasures here is the original costume illustration by Mr. Bob Mackie!

Merry Christmas to you all my little Mack-inistas!  May the season be encrusted with rhinestone filled wonderment!

-Philip Estrada

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

30 Years of Jubilee!

This weekend Bally's Las Vegas will be hosted the 30th Anniversary performance of it's hit show Jubilee!  I'm super stoked for them, but bummed, since I couldn't be there.  I have been obsessed with that show and it's history since I first heard about it when reading Bob Mackie's book Unmistakably Mackie.  Mr. Mackie's designs for this show are truly breathtaking.

I found these wonderful pictures that I hope you enjoy.  I don't know much about the history but it looks like they were taken during rehearsals in 1981.  I love seeing the behind the scenes glimpses.  The making of Jubilee is just as fascinating as the show itself.

 Mr. Mackie finessing the ladies is his designs.

 Looks like he giving them some pointers, he undoubtedly picked up some moves from Cher.

A magazine article showing the costumes in full color - awesome! 

I found the costume sketch for the outfits... I love Mr. Mackie's illustration style.

I wonder if anyone from the show can confirm if these costumes are still in Jubilee!  When I saw it I was dazzled by the whirlwind of sequins and feathers and I can't be certain if I saw them.  I can't wait to return to Vegas and see the show again!  

Mr. Mackie's talents are endless and I hope that one day I will be able to work along side him.  Knowing a designer's history is key.  This tells you where they have come from and you are educated in their work and style.  This allows you to stay true to the original intention and aesthetic the designer has developed as their signature.  Since beginning this blog Mr. Mackie's work has become an even deeper passion of mine.  I love learning new things about him and his rich history.  I look forward to the day when I can learn new things directly from the master himself.

-Philip Estrada 

Bob Mackie Art Event

In honor of the Bob Mackie Art event today I thought I share with you a little Bob Mackie Illustration gem!  Wouldn't mind having this beautiful lady hanging on my wall, if you know what I mean.

- Philip Estrada