Wilfred - Easy Party costume

It’s worth dropping in to discuss the selection if you have time.

Tuesday night, 24th Jan, we can be open late if you need to drop by, but the shop will be closed from Thurdsay 26th Jan to Tuesday the 31st Jan.

If you need to find something by Wednesday for the Australia day weekend, ring up and make an appointment. We’re out and about sourcing materials but our hours are flexible for those of you who work late.

wilfred delux costume

blue dopple gangers on stage

I got flown home to my old home town Melbourne for three days to sew on a set designed by Edwards Moore for Architecture in Helsinki to use for their Big Day Out Tour!
A funny coincidence that a band with the word Architecture in their name would go with an Architecture firm to design their set.

I’d LOVE to post some pictures here, but I’ll just have to wait until they debut at the Gold Coast Big Day Out this coming weekend. We can’t be blowing the big surprise now can We!
Lets just say the working title was “…Dopplegangers” SO very creative.

So this up and coming, design award winning, recognised by their peers, invited to Government House for Australia Day celebratory drinks, Architecture firm, Edwards and Moore designed an ingenious set built to FILL a BiG DaY Out stage and get this, it packs into a carry bag that one person can carry and check in as fragile luggage at the airport.
Yes, one person can simply swing it over their arm and take it on tour with them around the country. Around the WORLD if they want to. Simply Brilliant!
And how do I know?

Because I made it!

I was flown to Melbourne with my machine and set up in the Fitzroy studio of Edwards and Moore, while I tested the patterns and defined the construction procedure, and then BOOM, we churned them out, tested their fall, adjusted the weights, and then we pulled them down and packed them into an oversize beach bag, designed around the deconstructed set pieces.
Next thing you know, I’m back on a plane to Sydney! Bye Bye Melbs! It was so charming of you to have me! Fitzroy, it’s where all the Kool Kids are at these days.

The firm researched construction, we had a brief chat about materials, which they then purchased, I simply arrived and used my extensive sewing skills and experience to apply the best methods I know to bang the things together, and Bingo Bongo, there they were, from rolls of fabric into fully fledged stage filling “Dopplegangers”- what ever that means.
You’ll just have to wait and see!

I can’t wait to see them in action! Can you??!

See photos here:

fan photo

and here:

fan photo 2

These costume photos will give you some idea of the things we have available to hire from Agent Costume at Bondi Beach for your next Fancy dress party.

Get some costume ideas then come in and pick something out.
Please call first to confirm someone will be there to help you put your ultimate look together.

If someone is in while you’re walking past, then feel free to come in and ask questions to help you find your next ultimate costume.

We are often out and about working on other costuming projects, sourcing fabrics, delivering jobs etc.

Space themes, cowboys and Indians, Carnival, circus, burlesque, super heros, moles and gangsters, pirates, fairies, clowns and more.
It’s hard to believe such a tiny little space culled house so many awesome quality costumes.
Real leather cowboy chaps and vests for instance.

Only 3 days to go till 2012 kicks off!
How will you finish this year off and ring the new year in?

I remember an acquaintance once remark at the turn of one year, “I’m going to do things differently this year, I think I’ll take it easy, and start the first day fresh, have a nice breakfast and enjoy the day!”
“That sounds wonderful!” I said
“Yeah,” he said, “sure beats waking up headfirst in the gutter and broke from the night before! That’s what I’ve been up to for the past few New Years Eve parties and it doesn’t seem to be working for me. This year, I’m trying something different!”
Yeah, not a very auspicious start to the first day of the year!
Though, I do suppose, from that angle, things could only get better.

Oooh! Just as I was writing, two girls came in for a 1950′s themed party. I’m going to make a pink satin skirt from some fabric I’ve already got, and if she comes back tomorrow, she can hire it, with a black petticoat, a pink chiffon scarf for the neck, and a lace and sequin top, just to jazz it all up.
If she doesn’t come back for it, give me a call to see if it’s available for you!
Sometimes, if I’m in the mood, and time permits, I can and will make something up, just like that!

better get cracking, I’ve only got a day to fit it in!
3 days to go! Only Three days to go people!

Check out this page for some Agent Costume photos:

http://www.agentcostume.com/costume-gallery/

Agent Costume 2011

A big thank you to all who have utilised the costuming services of Agent Costume this year, whether custom made costumes, costume hire or alterations, your custom has meant a great deal to me this year.

Operating out of a small space has been challenging sometimes, and also a great deal of fun being faced with new and strange requests, problem solving and testing new materials.

This year I’ve made a Morning suit for a taxidermied mouse! PVC Power Ranger masks, super heros, Cosplay costumes, even a costume out of a suitcase!
I’ve hired warehouses and staff and produced posters and banners for TV commercials, and curtains and cushions for various events.

My skill level keeps growing, I’m becoming more familiar with various materials and suppliers.
The wardrobe keeps growing, and my hire prices are still the lowest in town for their level of quality.

It’s been a fun year meeting many of you, working out your costume problems and seeing you again for your next parties and playing dress ups!

Here’s to a very happy and safe family and friends time this year. Safe travels, and look out for each other.
Buy presents if it means something to you, and don’t let the hustle and bustle of other people frustrate you whilst out there searching for the ultimate gifts for everyone.

If you really get stuck for something original, come and see me for a custom made hat, cushion, dress, bear suit, or beach bag for a loved one, or funky ass leggings! Why not?

Agent Costume will be closed on Friday 23rd and reopened on Thursday the 29th for New years eve costumes! YaY!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good, fun, happy, safe, considerate, loving, exciting, rejuvinating time!

Hip Hip Hooray!

sincerely,

Elisa

www.hoopempire.com

Hooping is an all time fun craze for children’s birthday parties, Hen’s nights, and corporate events, adaptable to events for children and adults of all ages, and parties of all Themes.

Are you looking for the next fun thing for your gorgeous child’s next Birthday Party? Your next fun Co-orporate event?
What about your girlfriends Hen’s night entertainment? Get those hips moving with hypnotic circular motion, watch in amazement and join in under the experienced tutorage of BunnyHoopStar herself!

Sydney’s incomparable Hooping extraodinaire BunnyHoopStar is polished to WoW, Wonder, and physically engage your guests with colourful hooping antics, light and fire shows if appropriate.

A mesmerising show and guest participation can be designed to suit your requirements and space, so what are you waiting for?

Hoop Empire

Get your guests dressed up for circus, Wonderland, Disco themes, Cowboys and Indians, Space Age themes and more, and organise Hooping Star BunnyHoopStar to design a Hooping set to suit your theme.

Contact BunnyHoopStar directly for discussion and quote, and have her team contribute to a party that will be talked about for years to come:

BunnyHoopStar’s Hoop Empire

Hoopla!
Let the party begin!

www.hoopempire.com

www.hoopempire.com

www.hoopempire.com

www.hoopempire.com

www.hoopempire.com

Why do people have costume parties? Why are costume parties so popular?

Happy Dancing

Well, the best reason of all time has to be the following statement:

Costume parties are fun!

You know how travelling expands your mind? You are exposed to things you hadn’t considered before. You integrate and file newly discovered cultural norms, behaviours, beliefs, into your understanding of life. With any luck your perception becomes richer, you return home with an updated brain, your experience of life alters too, hopefully for the better.

A good costume party is like travelling to another world. The landscape is foreign and the people are different here!

Sometimes it takes a while to recognise your friends. Things are not always as they seem, the whole experience is thought provoking and mentally stimulating.
You can recreate yourself. You can discover new ways of being for yourself. You notice how people respond to you differently, and therefore your experience of yourself is also different.

If the idea scares you, just remember, everybody else is scared too, that’s what makes it so thrilling! Challenge yourself! Challenge your friends, promote yourself as the person you’ve always wanted to be! Be it Buffy the vampire slayer, or Little Red Riding Hood, Austin Powers or Captain Jack Sparrow.

Think about all the movies you’ve been moved by, any fairytale or TV show you’ve enjoyed. Pick a character you admire or enjoy, and impersonate them. Take on their character, their mannerisms, their posture. Think about the type of person, or character they are and be that for a night!

Be thrilled by your own daring! Dare to be a cowboy for one night, or a french maid, or a space-age time traveller, or a character from your favourite TV show.

If you are uncomfortable putting so much attention on yourself and your appearance, then create a character with the intention of adding to the atmosphere your host is creating and contribute to the experience of others.
You don’t always have to be sexy, or stylish, or super cool, pick a dorky character for once and have fun being deliberately dorky for the night!
It’s all creative and it’s all good exercise for your mind.
There’s something silly about adults delving into the world of make believe, which is what makes it so funny.

Sometimes it’s surprising to see how your friends have used their imagination. “John! In a million years I’d never expect you to be such a great Ali G!”
Your experience of them changes. Maybe even your connection deepens. Years on you’ll always have that time..”Remember that party, when you cross dressed as Dolly Parton, and you thought you were really popular with the women, but they were just so comfortable to dance with you because they didn’t think you’d get the wrong idea and try to ‘hit on’ them! Hahahaha!”

And besides, no matter what you choose to wear, you can still always influence another’s impression of you with the skill of conversation.
(If your conversation skills worry you, then discover some interesting authors, or publications and read more, reading also expands your mind)

As far as I’m concerned, costume parties are a way of time and space travel with your friends, or work colleagues.
Costume parties exercise your imagination, they bust you out of your complacent norms, they challenge, develop and give you an opportunity to exercise creatively in a way we don’t normally get to play with.

Costumes don’t have to be expensive, i’ve seen some amazing home made costumes using found items around the home!

Find someone who knows how to have the most effective conversation with you to discover what you’ll enjoy wearing, and how to link it to the theme.

Be intentional about your appearance.

So what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone and give us a call. Agent Costume may already have what you are looking for!
And if we don’t, we can make it, provided you have the time and the resource.

people partying

What do I wear to a 1970′s fancy dress costume party?

The answer is: which ever style of the seventies which best resonates with you.

Ask yourself, do you want to be all glitz and glamour, or would you prefer a more toned down denim or leather casual look? Are you a Studio 54 sequins and satin lycra? or are you more of a hippy, peace signs and wooden beads? Are you more edgy punk? Are you a cowboy from a western film made in the Seventies, or a cowboy from the village people?

What are you going to feel comfortable in? What are other people going to be wearing? Would you like to push your boundaries and surprise your work colleagues with your imagination and outrageous daring? or would you prefer to walk the line and simply set the tone in a basic way, not too far from you current look?

Let’s take a look at some of the styles, movies, TV shows and fashion influences of the Seventies to get a better idea of what you like.

Genres:
Disco, Glam Rock, Pop, Blaxploitaion, Soul, Hippy, Funk, Progressive Rock, soft rock, Punk Rock

TV shows:
Charlies Angels, The Brady Bunch, The partridge Family, Dukes of Hazzard, Starsky and Hutch, Are you being served?, The Bionic woman, Dallas, Diff’rent strokes, Mork and Mindy, Six Million Dollar Man, The Sonny and Cher comedy hour, Fantasy Island, Good Times, Happy Days (although set in the 50′s), Wonder Woman, Hawaii Five-O, Mary Tyler Moore, MASH, Monkey Magic.

That seventies show,

Movies – made in or referencing the Seventies:
Xanadu, Star Wars, Austin Powers – Gold Member, The Rocky Horror Picture show, Grease (though it was set in the fifties), The Exorcist, Jaws, Superman, Logan’s Run, Apocalypse Now, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Blazing Saddles, Caberet, Dirty Harry, The Wiz – A Motown take on the Wizard of Oz, Rocky, The Godfather, The Jerk, King Kong, The lady in Red, Carrie, Clockwork Orange,

Music of the times- in no particular order:
Bee Gees, Blondie, Donna Summer, Jackson Five, Super Tramp, Queen, The Osmonds, Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Joan Baez, The Village People, Ziggy Starudst, The Supremes, Simon and Garfunkle, James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, Olivia Newton John, Suzie Quatro, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, The Doors – Jim Morrison, Jimmy Hendrix, Janice Joplin, Elton John, ABBA, The Beatles, Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, Gary Glitter, Cat Stevens, Elvis Presley, AC/DC, Sherbet, Dragon, Bob Marley, The Clash, Split Enz, Joy division

and there’s more….

Hairstyles:
Afro, Mullet, long with middle part

Pants: Bell bottoms, hot pants

Glam rock inspiration:
David Bowie – Ziggy Stardust, Roxy Music, Gary Glitter

Punk inspiration:
Sex pistols, Vivienne Westwood and Malcom McLaren- fashion designers
Siouxsie and the Banshees

Glam rock lurex jumpsuits!

Blaxploitation movies – Shaft, Cleopatra jones, Foxy Brown, Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song,

Star spangled Glam Rock jumpsuit, seventies costume

Glam rock black sequin costume jumpsuit

1970's rock star and jumpsuit

Agent Costume custom made costumes made it into “Party of the Week” section of the Sunday Herald Sun. Awesome!

I made the silver skirt, space age booties and fingerless silver gloves sported by Chissy Bray from We Go Bang Bang, pictured here with a gorgeous bumble bee.

And I made the amazing Air hostess and satin lined suitcase filled with all sorts of air-travel no-no’s worn by the Party Queen and host herself, Tiffany Farrington.

The air hostess dress, hat and suitcase was constructed slowly after several weeks. Tiffany, is an incredibly creative woman who knows how to put a great idea together and build on it.
She basically came to me with her idea already thought through. All she needed was a person with the technical know-how and time to put it together.

I drew some illustrations to double check I was getting what she was putting down and she sent reference photos and images whenever required to illustrate her ideas.

We had fittings, we had fabric sample checks, colour checks, all to make sure the design was progressing as desired.

It is a great pleasure to work with someone who knows what they want and sticks with it! There was no dithering around saying “maybe this,” “maybe that,” no major decision changing or dramas as to what’s going to look best, it was a pretty steady progression right from the initial discussion to the final outcome, and she was always on hand when I needed to navigate potential barricades or hurdles.
And at the end, it was strange saying goodbye to the suitcase! After the weeks of cutting holes, spray painting, hacking the insides and re lining it all, padding it and making it comfortable, it was strange to realise it was suddenly complete, and ready to party!

And what do you know? There it is in the Sunday Herald Sun! Very exciting for me.

This is by far definitely the weirdest costuming job I’ve ever been asked to do. Beyond making a lycra super hero suit for a garden gnome ( not surprisingly, by the same Art director)

I get a phone call, “This may sound weird, but, do you think you could make a tuxedo, .. for a mouse?”

Well, of course!

but, what kind of mouse? An adult size jump suit? Mickey Mouse? Mouse accessories? Fun Fur? Grey velour?

“No,  mean a mouse, a real size mouse, a normal tuxedo for a taxidermy mouse. ”

Here is the mouse:

taxidermied mouse

“Holy Mackeral!” It’s a real mouse.

Here is the suit:

Period costume

“Yikes!” It’s a real suit.

“…and can we have it by Wednesday Arvo?”
It was Monday.

As fate would have it, the mouse lived nearby, so i went to pick it up from a man who practices taxidermy as a hobby.
(It’s an unusual practice, how does one find these people?)

I got to measuring and cutting and sewing.

mouse jacket receiving a press

It took a bit of time and concentration, the mouse was lopsided and needed a few fittings.
It was also stiff, so the clothes needed to be sewn onto it, to be cut off later if they so wish to return it to it’s earlier clothes-less state.

mouse pants

It took three goes just to get the cuffs right! Working out the best fabric, the right type of interacing, stitching it neatly.

A well dressed mouse indeed

And now the mouse even has a red handkerchief in his top left pocket, and a chain for his fob watch!

It was tricky deciding how to design the front, the space was so narrow between the arms that there wasn’t much space to show the vest under the open jacket, and lapels, but from the right angle, you could shoot it so that you didn’t see the big gap at the neck that you see from the side.

profile of well dressed mouse

And Ualla!
A finished mouse suit and top hat to boot!