It’s hard to believe 2014 is finally coming to a close. This year has been so full of joy and success, good times and great friends. I have a new job which I love so much and is the start of a wonderful career. I have the most amazing group of friends a girl could ever ask for, not to mention the cutest kitten on the planet. And I’ve been able to express my creativity through so many amazing fashion photo shoots and design projects. I performed in an international burlesque festival, got a giant mermaid tattoo, met two of my idols (Yaya Han and Tess Munster) and I even started this blog. I can’t believe what a lucky girl I am and I feel so incredibly thankful to have had all these experiences.
So here we go. This is my year in photos; memories from most of the big events, photo shoots, friends, lots and lots of friends and the most fabulous fashions. Thank you for following my blog and I wish the happiest New Year to you all!
Meryle Trouble and Dolly Monroe as Jamie and Cersei Lannister. Photo by If You Fall Photography.Meryle Trouble, Betty Quirk, Sevvy Skellington and Dolly Monroe preparing for our burlesque photo shoot with Hailey Freisen.Me and Irene of “Petite Plus, Meow!” being models at the Dragon’s Den audition for Your Big Sister’s Closet.Betty Quirk, Laura Desiree and Dolly Monroe shimmying at “Dances the Cramps Taught Us”.Me getting tattooed by Suspira.My beautiful mermaid tattoo from Suspiria.Sam and I celebrating our birthdays together at the Science Centre.My most famous photo of the year (and of all time) from If You Fall Photography.Posing with my lovely friends Betty Quirk, Sevvy Skellington, Zilly Lilly, and Leelando Calrissian at the Nerdlesque Festival in New York City!My favourite photo from my collaborations with the outstanding photographer Dana Brushette.Meeting my model inspiration Tess Munster!I took the Iron Throne with help from Betty, Brittany and Sam!My naughty Betty Page tribute photo shoot with If You Fall Photography.Hanging out with designer Allie of Amplify Apparel and my awesome friends Leeland and Bri!My first photo collaboration with Geoff Larkin.Mermaid Pride at the Pride Parade with Meryle and Brittany.Leeland and I being cute at Atomic Lollipop.That one time my face was all over the TTC for the Taste of the Danforth Festival.More fun photos with Geoff Larkin.Silly friends Leeland and Sevvy at Fan Expo.Meeting the cosplay Queen Yaya Han!My first official Burlesque poster for the Garters of the Galaxy show.Modelling for Gloomth Clothing with photographer Tyrone Islington.Working hard at my cosmetics day job/taking selfies at work.Bringing my favourite Fairy Tale to life in this Red Riding Hood photo shoot with Geoff Larkin.Filming the Brick Wall Sessions videos with Betty Quirk.Possibly my favourite photo of myself of all time from Geoff Larkin.My Bent Beauty Supremes, Betty, Sevvy, Brittany and Trevor!Best friend photo shoot with Betty Quirk, by Tyrone Islington.I had to end with this photo of some of my most favourite people! Sam, Delicia, Betty, Scarlett, Taylor, Brittany, Sevvy, and Leelando!
On Friday December 19th you can catch me and my partner in crime Betty Quirk in an amazing cabaret show by Meryle Trouble. Just as the poster promises there will be musical ditties and a lil bit of titties! Betty and I will be doing lots of backup dancing as well as our famous Go-Go Cat Fight burlesque routine.
Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 at the door
9pm at the Flying Beaver Pubaret in Toronto
Tickets are available in advance by clicking on the poster below!
Dolores Moran was a popular pinup model in the 1940s who had a brief film career and a scandalous reputation in Hollywood. This bleach blonde beauty was a favourite amongst American WWII soldiers and was featured in many pinup magazines at the time. She achieved a level of film success after being cast opposite Bette Davis in the 1943 film Old Acquaintance and had a notable role in the 1944 Bogart and Bacall film To Have and Have Not. In 1946 Moran, 22 at the time, began dating 42 year old movie producer Benedict Bogeaus who was married to starlet Mimi Forsythe. The two divorced and Bogeaus and Moran were married later that year. Moran’s film career never really took off after her marriage to Bogeaus, who insisted she appear exclusively in his films. After one child together and 14 years of marriage the two divorced in 1962. Moran died in 1982 from cancer, but her beauty and grace live on in the photos and films she created throughout her lifetime.
The most recent burlesque costume I completed was a fabulous sci-fi inspired retro space girl look for the beautiful Aviva the Mirage. This look consisted of a cone bra with a large standing collar, tearaway short shorts, and g-string that attached with elastic to a choker. I had a lot of fun creating this look and was heavily inspired by my one of my all-time favourite films, Barbarella. Enjoy Aviva, the space girl, Mirage in these photos from Ruth Gillson and Chris Hutcheson, as well as some of my inspiration pictures!
Today I bring you my favourite photo set to date that I have shot with Geoff Larkin. With a look inspired by Amy Adams in American Hustle, we made use of the dramatic lighting in the bathroom at the loft in which we shoot. I love the plunging neckline with loose cleavage that Amy has in the film and was very influenced by that classic 1970s look. The results are sultry, sensual and seductive with cigar in hand. I hope you enjoy Madame Dolly’s mirrored gaze.
Early in 2014 I was working tirelessly on one of the biggest costume commissions I have ever had. My muse, Miss Laura Desiree requested a new costume for the Girlesque Festival in Toronto. Working with her dance partner, Sexy Mark Brown, Laura wanted an outfit that had three changeable bottoms to reflect the three types of dance they were performing. First a knee-length circle skirt for a romantic slow dance, then a pair of short shorts for their tap number, finally a long chiffon skirt for their ballroom waltz. I also made a bustier to go with all three looks that was heavily embellished with lace, beading and swarovski crystals. I absolutely love how these garments turned out and Laura looks absolutely lovely flowing through this dance. Please check out the video below for the full routine.
Just a couple pics today from my most recent collaboration with Geoff Larkin. I whipped up this cute little metallic dress a couple of weeks ago for an event. The fabric, which is appropriately called Oil Slick, is so fun I had to make myself a little something with it. Enjoy!
Last weekend my best bud Betty Quirk and I had a stroll through High Park with the lovely photographer Tyrone Islington and my amazing assistant Val! The lovely fall leaves were the perfect setting for a little spooky, halloween inspired shoot. The jacket I am wearing was a costume piece I made a few years ago for a burlesque routine and the skirt Betty is wearing I made for her with the left over material. Betty and I are no strangers to dressing in co-ordinating outfits and I love the way these two looks compliment each other. Enjoy our halloween pinup photos and have a very scary Halloween!
I thought I should start the week off with something fun; a little set of photos from my most recent shoot with Geoff Larkin! I made this robe many months ago for another photoshoot but I didn’t end up using it. I love the sparkly, shear fabric and was inspired by a classic 1960s evening robe look. Enjoy!
CLASSICALLY CURVY 