SteamCatKimono

And for day 30 of the #fallforcostume #challenge we have #texture I chose thing kimono ensemble because it has a lot of different materials that clash in a funky modern way. The kimono is vintage sha, the obi is stiff modern ro, the accessories are summer weight silk, I have lace gloves, ladies oxfords (faux leather), fishnet veil, VELVET glasses, silver tentacle earrings, and a paper octopus parasol. Photos by @dimhorizonstudio #halloweenmonth #kimono #redthreaded #instagramchallenge #vintagekimono #kimonolife #wafuku #きもの　#着物 #わふく #和風 #きものコーディネート #着物コーディネート #👘 #fallforcostume2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/CG_P_gHg-P7/?igshid=168za7m366598

WHOOPS! Fell a day behind. For day 29 of the #fallforcostume #challenge by @redthreaded let’s talk about #unfinished costumes! I have this handy dandy app called #cosplanner that helps me map out and plan my costumes. As well as keep track of costs and labor. It’s super useful and as you can see I have a number of cosplays in the work that I am way behind on. #halloweenmonth #fallforcostume2020 #redthreaded #cosplay #unfinishedcosplay #sailorsaturn #blackwidow #scarletwitch #steampunkcosplay https://www.instagram.com/p/CG_MTFXAPla/?igshid=10bkctyhf054t

For day 28 of the #fallforcostume #challenge by @redthreaded let’s talked about #recycled fashion and costuming Several years ago I had the opportunity to participate in the Traveling Kimono Project. This was an ambitious project where 50 people around the world wore the same kimono (donated by @kimonosheila) in their own style. I was number 24 in the project and as I got the kimono right in the middle of the holidays I wore it around the city and hit several major landmarks (Times Square, Bryant Park, Grand Central Station). Photos by @yukonpictures #halloweenmonth #kimono #redthreaded #instagramchallenge #travelingkimono #kimonolife #wafuku #きもの　#着物 #わふく #和風 #きものコーディネート #着物コーディネート #👘 #fallforcostume2020 #nyc #midtown #timessquare https://www.instagram.com/p/CG5Qzp7AW7r/?igshid=8ihwx929zcr

Day 27’s theme for the #fallforcostume #challenge by @redthreaded is for #heroes So let’s talk about some Big Damn Heroes! This is one of my staple cosplays, a gender bender steampunk Jayne Cobb from Firefly. And I even have my very favorite gun Victor (of course I gender bent the gun too). Photos again taken by the fabulous @babs.wtp who clearly took the best action shot of me ever #halloweenmonth #fallforcostume2020 #redthreaded #cosplay #firefly #fireflycosplay #jaynecobb #genderbender #rule63 #rule63cosplay #jaynecobbcosplay #steampunk #steampunkcosplay #steampunkrifle #candlestickgun #instagramchallenge https://www.instagram.com/p/CG3pITRAReV/?igshid=26znsf632crf

For day 26 of the #fallforcostume #challenge by @redthreaded let’s talk about #joy This obi and kimono combo brings me a lot of job and I’ve worn them together at least twice!! Kimono is from @mamechiyomodern and obi is from @modern_antenna #modernantenna #mamechiyomodern #halloweenmonth #kimono #redthreaded #instagramchallenge #moskowobi #kimonolife #wafuku #kimonocollection #きもの　#着物 #わふく #和風 #きものコーディネート #着物コーディネート #👘 #fallforcostume2020 #stripedkimono https://www.instagram.com/p/CG0no4PgeND/?igshid=q0663v3ulr5w

For day 25 of the #fallforcostume #challenge by @redthreaded is for #orange Confession time. I hate orange. It too me years of realize while owning many orange kimono and obi that I never wore. So. I got rid of them all and only left a few accessories and items (where orange is t the main color). This obi is one of those items. It’s a lovely cream colored summer obi with hand painted orange lilies. I paired it with a black summer houmongi and some light colored accessories. I wore this to a wedding event for NY friends. I asked for their blessing before wearing kimono to their wedding. #halloweenmonth #kimono #redthreaded #instagramchallenge #kimonolife #wafuku #kimonocollection #きもの　#着物 #わふく #きものコーディネート #着物コーディネート #👘 #formalkimono https://www.instagram.com/p/CGyQsY4gWov/?igshid=1m6qfemw1ho7

So I got nothing for day 24 theme for #space that I haven’t already shown or that I’m not saving for one of the other days themes. So instead please enjoy photos of the old Gundam in Odaiba (they replaced this one in the last year with the Unicorn Gundam) from my last trip to Japan in 2016. Unless things go more off the rails (which is not out of the question, nothing is impossible at this point) I’m visiting Japan again in June 2021. #gundam #gundam00 #japan #donthaveacostume #igotnothing #redthreaded #fallforcostume #fallforcostume2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/CGwG1iAgv_U/?igshid=1jubccbtaynoo

For day 23 (my mom’s birthday!) of the #fallforcostume #challenge we look to the #future ! And what’s more futuristic than Star Trek!! I am a big Trekkie, I spent most of the ‘90s watching TNG, DS9, and Voyager. I was lucky enough to go to the Star Trek Starfleet Experience (twice!) while it was in NY and of course I dressed. Both times. Make it so! #halloweenmonth #costuming #casualcosplay #makeitso #startrek #starfleetexperience #fallforcostume2020 #instagramchallenge #captainpicardigan #heruniverse #engage https://www.instagram.com/p/CGtTjHXgyXs/?igshid=a7hub14945m6

Day 22 of the #fallforcostume #challenge by @redthreaded is for the #past. For this theme I’m going with one of my Japanese steampunk ensembles. This one I premiered at DragonCon in 2014 and is my take on a rugged steampunk outfit. I used a vintage summer kimono and my favorite hakata obi along with my mechanical arm from @skinznhydez . It’s immortalized by the ever amazing @dimhorizonstudio #steampunk #instagramchallenge #halloweenmonth #kimono #redthreaded #instagramchallenge #japanesesteampunk #kimonolife #wafuku #kimonocollection #きもの　#着物 #わふく #和風 #きものコーディネート #着物コーディネート #👘 #fallforcostume2020 #mechanicalarm #skinznhydez https://www.instagram.com/p/CGqj7YmAu3H/?igshid=pzigyufc46lg

For day 21 of the #fallforcostume #challenge by @redthreaded let’s talk about #changes. No this is technically 2 versions of the same cosplay. Both of these are a Sailor Saturn kimono cosplay. One is a fancier winter weather version done pretty traditionally while the 2nd one, worn to @sailormooncelebration last summer in Toronto. So it’s a summer friendly version using an unlined kimono, still using the characters main colors. I also switch eco it the traditional zori for the official @gracegifttw Sailor Moon Crystal collab sandals. Which are surprisingly comfy. Also decided not to wear the Murder Brooch and instead used a Silence Glaive Brooch from @kumacrafts . Winter version photos by the ever amazing @babs.wtp #kimonosailorsaturn #vintagestyle #halloweenmonth #kimono #redthreaded #instagramchallenge #kimonolife #wafuku #kimonocollection #きもの　#着物 #わふく #和風 #きものコーディネート #着物コーディネート #👘 #kitsuplay #kimonocosplay #sailorsaturn #fallforcostume2020 @babs.wtp #babswhotakespictures https://www.instagram.com/p/CGoDc-Kgpuj/?igshid=1dlyll53vad4m

A little late since I got side tracked by the kimono lecture but today’s theme for the #fallforcostume #challenge by @redthreaded is #glamour I like to think of myself as a Glamorous Goth when I put the effort in. But like Helen Bonham Carter my 2 modes are glamorous or trash monster. But I do clean up nicely when I put in the effort!! These photos are from a few years ago, taken again by the fabulous @babs.wtp for her photo book. I drove out to meet with her and had a wonderful photo shoot in 90+ heat in all black. And leather. I’m not sure how I didn’t die (it was a close thing judging by how many times I had to fix my make up). But the photos speak for themselves. Corsets (lace neck and leather underbust) by @kvodesign and hat from @blondeswanhats #fallforcostume2020 #halloweenmonth #glamorous #glamorousgoth #glamourgoth #babswhotakespictures #redthreaded #icleanupnice #gothic #goth #leathercorset #blondswanhats #sometimesipretendimamodel https://www.instagram.com/p/CGmC4a4AvZA/?igshid=1kwl2ibcpular

Day 19 of the #fallforcostume #challenge by @redthreaded is for #pink As previously mentioned I’m mostly a goth gal at heart so pink is not really something I wear or own a lot. BUT I did get this pretty modern komon with chidori and birdcage pattern. I got this from a kimono friend in Japan. To match my darker style I added my favorite black hakata obi with a black han eri. I also tried my hand at a fancy obijime knot in front. Came out pretty well but it’s hard to do! #halloweenmonth #kimono #redthreaded #instagramchallenge #hakataobi #kimonolife #wafuku #kimonocollection #きもの　#着物 #わふく #和風 #きものコーディネート #着物コーディネート #👘 #fallforcostume2020 #pinkkimono #gothgoespink https://www.instagram.com/p/CGi3F_oAl7V/?igshid=7p14zy3pe8h7

Back to your regularly scheduling #fallforcostume #challenge by @redthreaded! Day 18 is all about the #accessories so let’s talk about my kimono Sailor Saturn! I originally put this cosplay together just because BUT then I got my hands on a ticket to the Silver Millennium Masquerade Ball! And given that iromuji is a formal kimono I thought it was a perfect event to wear it. I made a few changes for the ball (added a lace veil, wore heels instead of traditional kimono shoes called zori, switched the lace gloves for fingerless lace gloves, and discarded the scarf and lace shawl since the outdoor photos were taken in December and the ball was indoors). But as Sailor Saturn is my favorite I went extra on the details. I got replica earrings and the crystal brooch from a props maker. I used the brooch as an obidome. I acquired an official Sailor Moon gashapon replica of the Taioran Crystal and the Silence Glaive pointer pen as obi accessories. For the ball I replaced the gashapon Taioran Crystal with the limited release Q-Pot Taioran Crystal pate de fruit amulet. Outdoor photos by @babs.wtp #halloweenmonth #kimono #redthreaded #instagramchallenge #kimonolife #wafuku #kimonocollection #きもの　#着物 #わふく #きものコーディネート #着物コーディネート #👘 #kitsuplay #kimonocosplay #sailorsaturn #fallforcostume2020 #qpot #qpotsailormoon #taioroncrystal #qpotセーラームーン #silvermillenniummasqueradeball #silvermillenniumball2017 #babswhotakespictures #merchascosplayaccessories #cosplay #sailorsaturncosplay https://www.instagram.com/p/CGgZsSQg-iO/?igshid=1sv6v2ku61150

We interrupt your regularly scheduled costuming appreciation post to introduce the newest member of the family! Meet Gigi! She’s a 3 year old terrier mix and is very skittish and nervous. We plan to shower her with love and spoil her rotten. Rori is not thrilled with the new addition as he’s used to being an only child and doesn’t have great experiences with dogs. But he will come around but I’m the mean time he’s also getting lots of love. #newaddition #newadditiontothefamily #puppy #dogsofinstagram #terriermix #adoptdontshop #puppygram https://www.instagram.com/p/CGgNxjmgnr6/?igshid=5pkr7sdxkf7t

#plaid is the theme for day 17 of the #fallforcostume #challenge by @redthreaded I actually don’t like plaid but I used to own this red plaid wool kimono that I wore out with @elflingunlimited several years ago. #halloweenmonth #kimono #redthreaded #instagramchallenge #plaidkimono #kimonolife #wafuku #kimonocollection #きもの　#着物 #わふく #和風 #きものコーディネート #着物コーディネート #👘 m #fallforcostume2020 #woolkimono https://www.instagram.com/p/CGdEQeqAEXA/?igshid=nlaoa4e2ao31

For day 16 of #fallforcostume #challenge by @redthreaded let’s talk about trial and error I began collecting and wearing kimono in 2006 but I can honestly say I was not really great at it early on cause I am entirely self taught. During my senior year at my alma mater @ramapocollegenj I was approached to do a kimono fashion show for the school’s Sakura Matsuri. This was in 2009 (yes I’m an Elder Millennial). So with only 3 years of experience and only my own collection to work with, I put together a show with 5 looks. Looking back on it I satisfied with what I achieved given my limited experience and limited dressing items. The biggest thing I learned is that not having enough dressing accessories (obi makura, obi ita, eri shin, and juban) IS NOT CONDUCIVE FOR WELL PUT TOGETHER LOOKS. There are a lot of issues in these photos. I dressed everyone myself and there are lots of mistakes that I could have avoided if I just had enough accessories. Or a dressing assistant. Now, 11 years later I have enough dressing accessories to dress at least 10 people without issue. And a lot more experience to smooth out the problems I didn’t know how to fix in 2009. On a hilarious side not I don’t own most of the kimono and obi in these photos anymore. My kimono style changed drastically in the years following this show and I culled my collection drastically in 2015. #ramapocollege #ramapocollegeofnewjersey #sakuramatsuri #halloweenmonth #kimono #redthreaded #instagramchallenge #trialanderror #kimonolife #wafuku #kimonocollection #きもの　#着物 #わふく #和風 #きものコーディネート #着物コーディネート #👘 #kimonofashionshow #dressing5pplisexhausting #sailorsaturn #fallforcostume2020 #dressing5people #makingmselffeelold #furisode #kimonodressing #babyfaces #selftaught https://www.instagram.com/p/CGafQlVA9nM/?igshid=14mqrv701hn3d

For day 15 of the #fallforcostume challenge by @redthreaded is for #embellishments again. I wanted to highlight my custom corset from @mayfairemoon. It is a beautiful double sized 5 panel corset made with dupani silk and beaded lace I bought from #fashiondistrict in NYC. The inner color is a vivid #blurple and the color under the lace is navy. I originally conceived this corset for a fancy Mistress None cosplay but have not yet gotten around to it. #halloweenmonth #vintagestyle #redthreaded #instagramchallenge #costuming #mayfairmooncorsets #corset #lace #lacecorset #fallforcostume2020 #mayfairmoon #cosplayinprogress https://www.instagram.com/p/CGYqYGYg4rT/?igshid=1f1ygdt82cafg