Seasons Greetings from HMBM!

Man did this holiday season ever breeze on by?!  I barely had enough time to think about what to get the loved one, let alone time to shop for him.  I hope he liked what I got him since I can barely remember what it was.

Over here in Blog-blog Land I hope that everyone of my readers had a great time tearing it up with their friends and families for the holidays.  This is why I would like to share the Christmas card Ryan and I sent out to all our pals.  Every year we design our own card and I am particularly proud of this one because I illustrated the card with Ryan's help in art direction.  I have to say I'm impressed with the result since I haven't had much success in the past as a cartoonist!  I guess the spirit of the season inspired me just that much.

All the best from our house to yours and may everyone's New Year be the best one yet!
-Philip

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

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

She Speaks The Truth

I was thumbing through the October issue of Nylon Magazine when I came across a quick article about Pink.  I stopped to read it since she is also a Bob Mackie fan.  Well to my delight she name checked my favorite designer.  Not only did she mention him, but she proclaimed his clothes for her to be the best in her wardrobe.  She also gave him the befitting title of, "Fucking
Legend."  I couldn't agree with you more, Pink!

I can't wait to see all the new costumes he makes for her!


- Philip Estrada

Frank and Sadie Doyle

On Sunday night one of my fantasies came to life!  I was able to dress my two favorite characters from The Thrilling Adventure Hour, Frank and Sadie Doyle.  The Thrilling Adventure Hour is an L.A. based stage show in the style of old timey radio.  It is also hosted as a weekly podcast on iTunes and The Nerdist Network I encourage you to check it out.  On September 30th, the Thrilling Adventure crew brought their show to Brooklyn for its triumphant New York debut.  And what a debut it was with two sold out shows!

A while back I got in contact with comedian Paul F. Tompkins to discuss the possibility about making him a swanky smoking jacket.  Mr. Tompkins, who plays Frank Doyle, who confessed that he was looking for just such a garment for The Thrilling Adventure Hour.  When I met with Mr. Tompkins I shamelessly asked if he wouldn’t mind sharing photos of a dress I had made with his acting partner Paget Brewster, the genius behind Sadie Doyle.  He agreed that it would look great for the part and generously forwarded the information along.  I was so excited a few days later when Miss Brewster wrote back to me saying she would love to wear the dress!  Could this have lined up any more perfectly?  I think not.

The dress was cut from a vintage 1959 dress pattern that I’ve had for a while.  My hands were free one day so I decided to sew it up just for the heck of it.  I had been beading it off and on for about a year whenever the mood struck me.  It fit Paget like a glove, and then that's when the beading went into overdrive.  I wanted to add as many beads as humanly possible before the show for maximum Sadie Doyle Glamour-y-ness.

Paul’s jacket is a new take on the classic smoking jacket made from beautiful green silk/wool blend with quilted satin lapels and cuffs.  Mr. Tompkins upped the ante on the jacket by requesting frog closures.  I did him one better and made them by hand out of the same fabric as the body.  BOO-YAH!  To make the jacket even more glamorous, I added beads to each intersection of the quilting.  As he moved on stage they glinted off the light perfectly.

The show was sheer perfection!  It was so much fun to see all the characters brought to life in person.  The Beyond Belief episode was “Vampire Weekend” which is one of my favorites!  When Frank and Sadie took the stage the crowd went nuts.  The two of them also looked amazing which never hurts.  I was so proud of how wonderfully everything came together. All the hard work paid off.

The icing on the cake was that both Paul and Paget were amazing to work with.  They were so humble and appreciative of my contribution to the show that evening.  I could not have asked for a better experience.  I look forward to working with these peeps again!  My wheels are already going on what I can make next for them to wear.

-Philip Estrada

Show photos are courtesy of @NotAnyonesGirl on Twitter - Great Shots!

The Blonds Ambition

Fashion week is over and life has calmed down long enough for me to finally be able to write this.  Usually I am fairly removed from fashion week, but this year was different.  This year I was lucky enough to lend my talents to the wonderful designing duo that is The Blonds.  Phillipe and David Blond have been creating couture confections for the likes of Katy Perry and Beyoncé for several years now showing no signs of stopping.  Phillipe and I initially got to talking via Twitter because of his admiration and my obsessive-compulsive love for Bob Mackie.  After seeing my craftsmanship on the blog, Phillipe asked if I would be interested in helping them build their Spring/Summer 2013 collection.  How could I turn down such a rad opportunity?!

The invite to The Blonds show - "Beach Blonds"

I was thrown head first into the sparkly mayhem from the moment I walked in their studio.  It was wonderful!  I was sewing beads, gluing rhinestones, and altering samples where needed.

I look forward to working with Team Blonds again… and again.

Here are some photographic highlights of the collection.

The pearl dress.

Phillipe on the runway in his Jaws corset

Phillipe exiting the runway.

Everyone backstage was cheering wildly for him!

A backstage look at Phillipe's corset.

A skinny-dipper look... I LOVE HER!

The plexiglass splashes are a stroke of genius.

A neon ribbon dress.

This dress was the first piece I worked on for The Blonds.

It was made for Phillipe to wear to a party a few days before the show.

Since it worked so nicely with the collection, they decided to put it in!

I was so excited to see her work this look on the runway!

The crystal encrusted finale.

This look was so labor intensive it was constantly being worked on by someone at all times.

It was worth it though, as the end result is amazing

Have to include one of the boys... for good measure.

Phillipe and David triumphantly walking the runway.

Nothing better to close a show with than a sweet sweet hair toss.

Here is the video of the whole show (sadly they had to replace the soundtrack).

Click HERE for a photo recap of each look.

-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

It's Yo Birfday Beyonce

Happy Birthday Beyonce!

Hey Beyonce!  Since it's your birthday, you go ahead and throw on your Tina Turner inspired Mackie dress and get your 'Proud Mary' on.

Rollin'... rollin'... rollin' on the riv-eeeeeeeeeer!

-Philip Estrada

Cher's Sparkle Drawer

Kathy Griffin was on "Late Night with David Letterman" last night dishing about her friendship with Cher.  Although her impression isn't the best, the gossip is top notch!  I love the idea of Cher keeping Bob Mackie in her "Sparkle Drawer."  Hell I'd live in that thing.  I have a feeling  it has a few more square feet in it than most Manhattan apartments.  "What's that Miss Cher?  More rhinestones on that bra?  I'm on it!"

-Philip Estrada

Don't Go Breaking My Heart

What can one say about a pink jump suit emblazoned with mirrored sequin paillettes?  Two things come to mind: 1) It HAS to be designed by Bob Mackie and 2) Elton John being manhandled by Miss Piggy.

So I hope you enjoy the Bob Mackie clad Elton John on the "Muppet Show" singing opposite Missy Piggy.

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

Olympic Spirit

The 2012 London Olympic Games kicked off last night with the Opening Ceremonies.  The pageantry and spectacle was in full force in the way only the English can do it.  The Olympics have always had a special place in my heart ever since I was a kid.  The first games I can fully remember watching were the Barcelona games in 1992.  I do remember smatterings of the '88 Seoul games.  The 1984 Olympics were held in bright and shiny Los Angeles.  Sadly I don't remember anything from the Los Angeles games.  Bear in mind I was 3 years old.  I do recall some Sam the Eagle paraphernalia laying around the house for years to come.

Recently I had learned that the costumes for the opening and closing ceremonies of the '84 games were designed by Ray Aghayan.  Mr. Aghayan was the lifelong partner of Bob Mackie and passed away in October of 2011.  His talent will be greatly missed.  Aghayan designed 50 different costumes for the ceremonies, and they were duplicated for some 11,000 performers.  

There was even a flight suit for Bill Suitor who entered the arena via Jet Pack.  I wonder if this technology had anything to do with why the Soviets boycotted the games?

I hope the spirit of the games continues on through the 2012 London games.  I wish all the athletes the best of luck and urge them to remember the most important thing, if you can't win gold make sure to look fabulous while trying.  I'm off to watch rhythmic gymnastics followed by men's water polo!

-Philip Estrada

Lynda Carter

The fact that this happened makes me SO happy!  Bob Mackie designed the costumes for the Lynda Carter TV Special "Encore!" in 1980.  This was part of a musical medley that Lynda, most know as TV's Wonder Woman, performed describing her "Rock and Roll Fantasy."  She embodied the personas of Tina Turner, Bette Midler and KISS.  Believe you me... Gene Simmons never looked SO GOOD!

The video can be seen here

I really hope she has this costume hanging in her closet and occasionally breaks it out to reenact the number after a few martinis.

- Philip Estrada

Gold Diggers

I don't know about you, but I am VERY excited about "The Great Gatsby" movie coming out this Christmas.  If this movie is anything like Baz Luhrmann's last film, "Moulin Rouge" it is going to have a noticeable cultural impact.  Working in fashion I have already been seeing the influences of the flapper for a couple seasons and when the movie comes out it'll only be heightened further.

 I think Jubilee! should capitalize on this impending Roaring 20s craze. Through my endless research of the show I have found out that there once was a Gold Diggers number.  It must have been cut when they trimmed the show down to 90 minutes from 120.  I tracked down the original costume sketches that the University of Las Vegas has in their reference library. 

Original Bob Mackie sketches for the cut Gold Digger number.  

Unsigned but you can tell by the distinct way he draws hands.

I was delighted beyond belief when I saw a photo of this costume on Facebook.  Alexandra Freeman, until recently, a Jubilee showgirl has been generous enough to allow me to publish it here.  I would love to see this bad boy in action!  I can almost hear those gold coins a-tinklin'.

Follow Alexandra Freeman on Twitter

Maybe we'll see this costume back on the stage one day.  One can hope... I sure would love to see a chorus line of Bob Mackie clad Gold Diggers!

-Philip Estrada

Sequin Jackets for Las Vegas

I made sequin tuxedo jackets for Ryan and I to wear when we were in Vegas.  After all it is the glittery city and one should aim to look their best.  We wore them the night that we went to go see Jubilee!  After the show we did some gambling at the Cosmopolitan where everyone was jealous of our fly threads. 

Ryan's jacket was made from a wonderful sequinned fabric we found.  The sequins are a frosted blue color and are arranged in overlapping alternating vertical lines.  The color of the sequins make the jacket appear as though it was made from metallic blue leather.  I love this jacket and can not wait to usurp it for my very own!  

My jacket was a bit more flashy.  The fabric is encrusted with tiny silver sequins applied in a random pattern allowing for maximum bling-age.  The effect was wonderful, we were turning heads all night and were treated like celebs over at Ballys.  The dude working the will call counter gave me two free Jubilee! programs on the house.  I guess he just had a hunch I was a big fan of the show.

All photos courtesy of Ryan Duffey

-Philip Estrada