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

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

A Love Letter to the Cast and Crew of Jubilee!

Tonight I will be going to see Jubilee! again.  I have been enamored with these ladies ever since I first saw them descend the glittering staircase in their towering Bob Mackie headdresses.  Please allow me the chance to express my admiration in the best way I know how. 

I present "My Heart," a gift to all the showgirls, showboys, and crew.   Nothing like a little fan art to clearly express just how much I love this show!

I hope Jubilee! continues to be a Las Vegas institution for as long as there is a Las Vegas.

-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