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

Sequin Progress - Coming Along Nicely

Just a little progress report on the cuffs to my Halloween Costume.  As you can see I'm over 1/2 done with the purple sequin portions.  On the purple sections I've bee alternating the direction of the sequins to accentuate the movement in the design.  To think there is a second cuff that has to be sequined.  I never said I was an underachiever!  I think Bob Mackie would be proud...  What do you think?

-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