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

Countless Apologies

First of all I would like to apologize to all of my readers.  

This year I have to cancel Halloween.  

There were so many great opportunities that came up that required my attention and time.  Therefore, Cap'n Crunch will have to be put off until Halloween 2013.  On top of the news of this senseless tragedy, the NY West Village parade is cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.  This is the first time it will be cancelled in its 39 year history.  I can't help but think that my not having a costume ready had something to do with it.  Again, I apologize for that.

My only hope is now that I have 12 months to work on the Cap'n, I can devote this time to making him replete with majesty and splendor.  Majesty and splendor are code words for sequins, rhinestones and beads.  I'll be piling on as much glamour as my frame can support without being crushed under the weight.

So look forward to updates in the months to come.  I hope everyone can manage to have a Happy Halloween despite this devastating news.

-Philip Estrada

Halloween 2012

Alert the media!  I have begun development on my Halloween costume for this year.  If you follow the Facebook page you've already seen a few pictures and may have guessed my plans.  I am here today though to put all the rumors to rest and make my formal announcement. 

I present to you ladies and gentlemen of the press... Cap'n Crunch!

You and the Cap'n will indeed make it happ'n!

This seafaring master of the high Cereal Seas will be decked out in his best Bob Mackie inspired finery.  His regal hat will tower above him like a Jubilee! headdress festooned with as many feathers as I can cram in there.  The entire ensemble will be encrusted with cobalt blue sequins and details of gold.

Stay tuned as I will be posting more updates along with my progress!
I would love to know what you all think.

-Philip

Halloween 2011

Halloween 2011 was a raging success!!  Our Gender Bent Wizard of Oz cast was the toast of New York! 

Being the wicked witch was so much fun!  Just as fun was making this spectacular costume!  The original inspiration was Bob Mackie's Vegas Masterpiece: Jubilee!  I feel the effect was successful since it was difficult to keep myself from dancing around like one of those epic ladies! 
There is no greater satisfaction as a designer than stepping back from a project and honestly being impressed with yourself.  It's not an arrogant feeling, more like a geniune surprise at what you're capable when you allow yourself to get carried away.  I want everything I make from now on to be on this level.  I raised the bar, now I must live up to my own standard.

A detailed photo inspired by Unmistakably Mackie.

The original sketch...It turned out pretty good, if I don't mind saying so myself.

Now I need to figure out what my next project will be... any suggestions?  Maybe Bob Mackie has a project in mind for me?  I'll be anxiously awaiting my orders Mr. Mackie!

-Philip Estrada

Moving Onto the Jacket

Now that the cuffs are completely sequinned it's time to start embellishing the jacket.  I've begun added sequins and beads to the lapel.  How's it lookin so far Mr. Mackie?

- Philip Estrada

Sequined Cuffs - Half Full

I finished sequinning one of the cuffs for my Halloween costume!!  That means I only need to sequin 1 more!  1 of 2 equals 1/2!  I have reached the half way point and I could NOT be happier!  Now I have to back the cuff with fabric and line it so it can be attached to the jacket... which will also have sequins on it.  How could Mr. Mackie not love this AMAZ-BLING Baby?!

 - Philip Estrada

Lederhosen

I was sketching out ideas for Halloween.  Since I'll be the Wicked Witch the BF is gonna be a Male version of Dorothy.  We decided on blue gingham lederhson.  Here is a quick sketch I did in my notebook.... more to come!

-Philip Estrada

Sequin Progress - Enter the Purple

A new color enters... A challenger to Black from a far of land.  His name is Midnight Purple.  They say he has the fastest fists of all the Cobra Kai's pupils.  I may be mixing my karate movie references but who cares!  The purple sequin portions on my cuffs are starting to look AMAZBLING!!

What do you guys think?!

-Philip Estrada

Sequin Progress - Part C

Hey there friends!  So I finished the black sequin portions on the cuff I was working on!  So that means I am over 50% done with one half of my cuffs!  I love progress!

Now all I have left is to do is fill in the blank areas with my deep purple sequins.... thing are HAPPENING!!!!!  My costume is going to be super Bob Mack-a-licious AND amazbling!  Come on Mr. Mackie.  How can you say "no" to this level of sequinny goodness?

- Philip Estrada

Sequin Progress - Part Deux

Just a quick update on the sequining progress.  This is the shape of the cuff on my jacket for Halloween.

The finished outlined edge of the cuff.  Note the use of the slightly contrasted bugle beads.  The organza I am sequining on is stretched across my make shift Tambour frame.

Beginning to fill the cuff body with an undulating pattern.

Close up of the hand work.

- Philip Estrada

Sequin Progress

I started sequining the cuffs to my jacket for Halloween.

They are going to be encrusted with cup sequins in a fishscale pattern and accented with bugle beads.

This is one pack of sequins... I may have to buy them by the pound

- Philip Estrada

I Know It's Early

I realize Halloween is a few months away but lets face it, time gets away from us very easily!   Therefore in order to outdo my costume from last year I've already done some strategizing and sketching.  

The plan this year is to do an ensemble costume of the cast of "The Wizard of Oz."  Seems simple enough but here is the twist!  Each character's gender will be switched and the costumes will be redesigned and pushed to the limit!  

I shall be a male version of the Wicked Witch of the West!  I designed a 1920s cutaway tuxedo jacket with tails extended to the floor.  The sleeves and front panels would be accented by shiny emerald lurex embroidery in vine motifs (I can do some pretty cool stitches on my sewing machine).  Underneath would be an emerald encrusted double breasted vest.  The cravat would be super frilly and be made of a black iridescent fabric with green undertones.  I would sew sequins with beads spaced evenly on the fabric.  The whole thing would be topped off by a black top hat with an emerald sash.  The whole look will come together with my broom that I will be carrying.  That was the original plan, but then something happened...

... The Jubilee Backstage Tour.  After seeing all those beautiful Bob Mackie costumes inches from my face I had an epiphany.  I must, at all cost even death, push my designs to the level of artwork like the costumes of Jubilee.  That experience has been one of the most inspiring things I ever had the benefit of experiencing so intimately. 

The original concept of the costume is remaining much the same, but now the embellishment will be pushed beyond anything I have attempted thus far.  The cuffs are now going to be encrusted in bugle beads and black cup sequins.  The cuffs will extend past the sleeve and emerald and raven color feathers will be inserted into the ends to reference the wings of the Wicked Witch's flying monkies.  The vest will still be encrusted in emeralds, which I'm greatly looking forward to.  The embroidery on the jacket will now be accented with raven black seed beads and wonderful brunished green sequins I found.  They have a matt oil slick quality to them with flecks of yellow and black in them.  I plan on sprinkling the sequins and beads along the embroidery randomly to give it an organic and etherial feeling.  The hat will now have a mass of plumage pouring from it in coordinating emerald and raven colors.  Luckily I found a trim store in the fashion district that has an amazing selection and variety of feathers and I've already begun stocking up.

I think this is going to be a wonderful Mackie-esque Halloween.  I hope you enjoy my sketches, and I will be sure to post many updates of my progress!

-Philip Estrada

Princess of Power

Halloween is my favorite holiday of all.  There's is nothing like it.  Last year in particular was one of the most fun Halloweens ever!  Not only do I enjoy myself celebrating the holiday but I also enjoy preparing for the day itself.  My boyfriend and I brainstormed about what duo we could dress as and we finally settled on Super Mario and his lady-friend Princess Toadstool (I was the princess since he called Mario in lightning speed).  Being that I'm an overachiever I couldn't settle with just recreating the character.  I had to redesign the beloved friends pushing them to the hilt.  I also had to bare in mind that they still had to be recognizable.

The fun thing about Princess Toadstool is just that.  She's a PRINCESS!  Just admit it... everyone secretly wants to dress like a princess.  Even for just one day.

Above is the working sketch of the jacket/vest combo for my princess outfit.  I wanted a turn of the century fiddle back with over sized puffed sleeves and lapels to match the over sized skirt.

Bringing this character to life was one of the most enjoyable things I have gotten to do in a long time.  It was truly wonderful to see her through from the sketch to the finished product.  I have had the opportunity to make a couple of wedding gowns and prom dresses but nothing compares to the sheer scale of this gown.  From the hoop skirt to the complex over skirt and the elaborate jacket, this ensemble had a lot of love and work put into it.  I relished every moment and look forward to topping it this year.

-Philip Estrada