made by Julianne

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LEWD Float 2018

3 April 2018 by Julianne

I got to design another float for Krewe du Vieux! This was my second year serving as creative director for LEWD, a subkrewe of very talented perverts. With a tight 7 week schedule we deconstruct the former float, make structural renovations, design a concept with costumes and throws, and build the damn thing. The three hour parade is one the highlights of my year and the entire process is truly a dream come true.

This year we are celebrating the 300th anniversary of the founding of New Orleans! The theme of the parade was Bienville’s Wet Dream (satirizing our city’s founder Jean-Baptise Bienville). LEWD’s take on it was “300 Years Cums Quick” and referenced our endemic flooding with a torrential swamp mutant entertaining our tattooed pater on a bucking catfish. Surrounded by springy light up penises!

The forecast called for catastrophic rain, and the city was smothered with terrifying lighting that whole afternoon. Luckily the power didn’t go out as I was furiously hot-gluing last minute costume accessories in my studio. It was pouring as we drove towards the French Quarter, but by the time I finished my facepaint the skies were clear! It was a truly divine night and so artistically satisfying.

Our faithful photographic friend Gus captured these shots above from the route and were published on Where Y’at.

I was even interviewed on the local news while in my parade costume! (at 1:23)

I also got lots of behind-the-scenes-in-process shots! You can see some of the float building process, and also the fun we have creating with each other.

When it’s time to deconstruct this float I anticipate a lot of conflict over who gets to keep this prop. The lights even twinkle!

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PURPLE PANTS

29 November 2017 by Julianne

I’ve got a thing for purple pants. Purple is a neutral color in my wardrobe; it goes with pretty much everything I own. These purple jeans are rocking my world these days and we are kicking ass together.

I drafted the pattern over the summer to be made from lightweight woven cottons, so this stretch denim was a bit of an experiment. I’m happy overall with how the pattern translated between fabrics, but I do suspect that the horizontal wrinkles throughout this version are due to the stretchiness. So I guess that means I’ll need to make another experiment, maybe next time in cobalt corduroy…

Yep, center back zip. It gives me the fit I want and is really great for Vespa riding.

Looking at these photos, I’m inspired to add some grape accents to pull out the contrast of the zipper color. Nothing a little paint can’t handle.

Of course, there’s more purple fabric earmarked for pants!

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BLACKLIGHT SKELETON

20 October 2017 by Julianne

One of the joys of Halloween is feeling like a kid, and a great way to harness that nostalgia is with a classic costume. My client wanted to be a skeleton, the best damn skeleton at the party! As I said during a fitting, “A tuxedo is a tuxedo, but some tuxedos are fancier than others!”

Of course a well-fitting foundation is key to a badass costume, so I drafted a custom bodysuit pattern. There’s a center front zipper for easy dressing and toilet access. I used a black spandex for the base, and holo-printed spandex for the bones. I made the gloves and painted the shoes.

The bones were based on the client’s own body, and I got the anatomical details from research.

After I sketched the bones there were many steps involved in cutting and sewing every single edge. Then I outlined the bones using glow in the dark puff paint – a ton of puff paint! I wanted all the details to really fluoresce under all the blacklights and I must say it looks pretty awesome.

This was my client’s first foray into adult costuming, and he went all out with the facepaint. Now that he has a bodysuit pattern on file, I’m anticipating a surprising new trend in his wardrobe!

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