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!

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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

Moulin Rouge Fancy Dress costume Party Theme.
Yes we Can Can!
Corsets, frills, feathers and lace.
Typically red and black seem to be the favoured costume colours of choice, but all that glitters, sparkles and marvels seem to be the go with this flavour.

Moulin Rouge feathers and gloves

Go wild, go over the top. The world is your stage, and you need to be seen all the way from the back of the theatre.

Hot Moulin Rouge costume

Limber up ladies, get those high kicks in before the floor fills up with other delicious creatures of the night and you find yourselves dancing way into the night and riding home on the shoulders of dawn.

Men, suit up. Look smart. Top hats and tails. Skinny waxed and curly moustaches. Pink cheeks and monocle. Polished Cane, polished shoes.
Whether you choose to take a vintage or modern angle, be sure to take care.
The ladies are worth it.

This is a night to shine, so polish up your dancing shoes, gather your most sparkly jewels, get your hair done, and shine shine shine on, you precious diamonds.

Question:
How much fun is a Bad Taste costume party?
Answer:
Heaps!

For a start, people can relax knowing they are not going to be judged for their fashion sense, or sense of “cool” and sophistication.

Some examples of people who may not warm to this theme would be:
1. Those who take themselves a bit too seriously and are afraid their idea of bad taste may be misconstrued.
2. They are afraid, that to meet people whilst dressed with bad taste would have their first impression count in this way.
3. Are afraid they’ll see their own style in someone else’s idea of bad taste.
4. They have a really awesome outfit they’ve just purchased and are dying to wear it instead.

I’ve got news for all of you.
1 & 2. It doesn’t matter what you wear, it’s who you are ultimately that leaves the impression.
3. You need to find out about it sooner rather than later.
4. If you’re one of those who has just found an awesome outfit you’re dying to wear to the next party, then wear it! Tweak the outfit, mismatch accessories and get it wrong, just for one night.

Now if you’re afraid of who you think you are, whether or not you can carry it off, or have an underlying subconscious fear that it doesn’t matter what you do you’ll get it wrong anyway, well, this is the one time you can and are in fact required to do so, so you’ll be fine.

If you are still convinced you wont get it right, then that’s a whole other kettle of fish, and you’ll have to work at reminding yourself you feel that way when it comes up so you can then remind yourself it’s not true, and life is actually fun! Just remember, there’s no point freaking out about what impression you’re going to leave when everybody else is too busy worrying about themselves anyway. The best way to get over this fear is to actually concentrate on other people, and get the focus off yourself. Ask them questions about their costume or consider how they may be feeling, rather than focusing on all the ways you could be looking stupid.

I mean, what if people laugh at you?

Well guess what, at this party they’re supposed to!

Other names for a similar theme could be:

• “Over the Top” or “OTT”
• “Fruit” – as in the youthful colourful fruit on Japanese streets
• “Fruit and Nuts”
• “Worst fashion sense”
• “Wrong”
• “Your worst fashion faux pas”

It’s your chance to really experiment. You can stylishly Glam it up to the max using the American TV series Dynasty as a reference aiming for big hair, equally big shoulder pads and masses of glitz. Other references for outlandish glamour could be Eurovision, and images of Royalty at special occasions.

Another way to bad taste it would be to wear things that are simply not flattering.
Break all the rules!

Go over board tacky, or overboard baggy. Wear too much make up, or forget to groom yourself.
Your outfit will say something like:
“I’m a clueless tart”
“I’m desperate for fame”
“I’m a nerd”
“I’m desperately looking for a man”
“I’m a spoilt slob”
‘I’m a spoilt princess”
“I don’t care about fashion as long as I’m comfortable”
“I’m not in the game of fashion conscious”
“I was never in the game in the first place”
“My mum buys my clothes”
“My Mum stopped buying my clothes 15 years ago and I still wear that style”
“i got dressed in the dark, and my mirror is broken”
“If I copy my favourite gangster you’ll think I’m awesome like I think he’s awesome and you’ll never see the real me who’s definitely not as cool”
“It’s important you view me as sensible and style is for silly people”
“I’m stuck in my Hey day and I can’t break free”
“I’m pretending I don’t care about my presentation while all the while comparing myself to everyone including you”
“I spent a fortune on myself and you wish you were me”
“If I were you I’d wish you were me”
“I wish I was you”
“I almost believe myself in this way, if i try hard enough you’ll believe it too”

Another way to express bad taste would be to pick a well known personality with questionable fashion sense, or social opinions and dress as them. Think carefully about this one as you don’t want to offend anybody. The aim of a good party is to keep things light hearted and fun.

The funniest bad taste outfits are the ones where people really do go to effort matching things just so, balancing everything so they look really unflattering, and wear it like they think they look awesome.
It helps to pick a character, define their hobbies and interests, and then go out to an op-shop and pick out the ultimate party outfit for them!

I often receive emails about custom making Super Hero costumes and prices.

There are similar costumes are available online, how ever, the quality is questionable, and there doesn’t seem to be any option other than super cheap and super cheap.
Now between the Super cheap and the super cheap, the only other options are “don’t bother”, “make it yourself”, and my personal favourite “commission a professional!”

TaDah!
That’s where I come in.

What you don’t see on line when ordering the cheapest available option, is the laddering of the fabric and general wear and tear after even one wear.

Or the flimsy ties that fasten the costume at the back, meaning you spend the whole night with your back to the wall, waving and smiling as if you don’t care, surreptitiously picking the wedgie out of your backside because size “L” ain’t all that large for some. Especially for some of our Eastern Suburbs rugby player sized blokes.

And let’s not get into the whole sweat shop below minimum wage (thats being generous) mass produced production line. I mean, we can go there, but let’s not today.

And all that’s fine if all you want is a cheap joke amongst friends. But really, how do you get into character or experience what it might be like to really be something of that character if all your wobbly bits and hairy back are exposed through flimsy fabrics and holes between the fastening ties?
Well?

There are so many layers to wearing costume, other than the actual layers of the costume itself.
There are martial arts practices that recognise the importance of preparation. Winding the sash around and around is like a meditation that prepares the wearer for the role they are about to take on, and all the responsibilities that come with it. Tying the knot in a specific way, the way the hands move with poetic economy are all part of the preparation. Concentration, presence of mind, focused intention.
All things a cheaply considered garment will not afford you.

So, back to the enquirer with whom this story begins. With a little negotiation and discussion about options, an agreement was reached, and I began work on two masks, one for the fellow in question and one for his friend. It was scary, but fun. It’s always growth inducing to push ones boundaries.

They were so enthused, they came back to commission more pieces! Once you get a sense of the value then the question of cost turns to appreciation, and even gratitude!

YaY!

And so my friends, it seems my work has only just begun.

The first uniform theme fancy dress party I ever went to, I went dressed as a polynesian dancer. Yep, grass skirt, flower lei and coconut bra. It was a 30th birthday in a house sized apartment in Bondi. That was before I ever had any idea I would be performing in a polynesian dance troupe just under a year later. Amazing how these things can manifest if we really want them to!

A uniform party is a theme that allows you to dress up and play a professional role you’ve always dreamed about! And it not about the job itself, it’s more about the way people respond to you, thinking you’re a doctor, or a supreme court judge for instance.
It’s fun to play around with stereo types.
Why not enjoy for one night, being a macho construction worker, or a boot scooting bar waitress, or an Elvis impersonator – hey! Everybodies got to earn a crust!

The most popular uniform choices seem to be doctors and nurses, aeroplane pilots and Pimps and Hos. It’s certainly a varied cross section of choice wouldn’t you say?

The last uniform party I went to, I dressed as a 70′s style influenced airline hostess. Somehow I don’t think the real thing is going to happen anytime soon. Perhaps in the next life.

Meanwhile, if you have the inkling, Agent Costume can help you out with these and more:

Plus size chef, Pilot 44″ Jkt, stylish police woman size 10, small blk ninja, Pimps and Hos, Ring master, Circus performer, showgirl, polynesian dance troupe uniform, Tennis player Lg Male, Pirates, Vikings, Construction worker Lg male, or size 10 female Construction worker, Bikie… elf, fairy…mexican wrestler

Fairy Tale and Nursery Rhyme costumes come alive when we bring our favourite characters to life in Fancy Dress.

Doesn’t everybody have a favourite story that kept their minds ticking as children until sleep and colourful dreams took over for the night?

If not, you should!
Use your next lunch break to munch on your healthy yummy sandwich and browse over well known stories of love, family connections, struggles, misunderstandings, incredible gifts, overcoming adversity, betrayal, jealousy, fun loving fools, kindly deeds, tales of trickery, trust, lust, greed.
Just another day at the office really.
But with more colourful clothes!

You may find you spend your days already living in moments as several of the characters you best resonate with.

Loving fairy! Evil Queen, Scrooge, beautiful princess, Cruella Deville, noble woodcutter, a lazy pig with a house of straw, a clever cat with the most marvellous pair of boots! Just to name a few.

Remember the Donkey who pooed out golden coins?!
The magic bean stalk and a singing harp with this massive Giant who lives in the clouds for a guardian?

The list goes on and on, and on…

As a young teenager my fairytale tastes turned to Oscar Wilde, where nothing really meant anything, there were no guarantees for kindness or caring, and yet everything, the act of life itself, was simply touching and beautiful. The nightingale who sacrificed his lifeblood and song turning a white rose to red, for what? in the end, a dead bird, and shortly after..well, never mind. Find the story and read it yourself!
It was a thought provoking moment of poetry.

It’s your life this fairytale! All the wonderful and the challenging.

Here are some costume references you may like to consider:

• 1001 Arabian Nights
• The Brothers Grim
• Oscar Wilde
• Snow White
• Cinderella
• The Frog Prince
• Hansel and Gretel
• Puss in Boots
• Pocahontas
• The three Pigs
• Little Red Riding Hood
• Rumplestiltskin
• Rapunzel
• Baba Yaga
• Jungle Book

and the list goes on….and on….

Who will you be next?

Make an appointment with Agent Costume and find out.
Even if you don’t think u know, we know it’s all in you, and we aim to help u find it.
All will be revealed, accessorised and dressed to the nines!

Agent Costume.
Made to Party.

It’s a Toga Party!

What is more fun than to wrap oneself seductively in a silky piece of fabric? Tie it off at the shoulder. Use a shiny belt buckle or broach for further luxuriant detail.

Drink wine and eat excessively! The Romans were well known for enjoying a rollicking good time, and their gods reflect this

There are many gods and goddesses to choose from and many ways to accessorise your tunic or toga.

Golden belts, fruit or leafy headpieces, silky bound ropes to hug the fabric to your body.

Strappy sandals, and jangly jewels.

If you have no budget, grab an old white sheet, hold it at the corners so it forms a triangle, wrap it around your body once, meet the corners above one shoulder, tie the corners in a knot and rest the knot on said shoulder. Bingo Bongo, instant Ancient Roman.
Grab a length of over growing ivy from the neighbours fence, secure it into a wreath with some twine or cable tie, plonk it on your crown and BAM, extra gold stars to you for effort.

If you have the time and space, grab some gold spray from a budget store or hardware, find a deep old box, and spray the ivy wreath carefully, so that you don’t breath the paint and the paint doesn’t fly in the air and land on other things. It may take a few layers and time between layers to. Easy does it in a well ventilated area away from wind, your lungs, eyes and other objects.

Rich, military, teacher, farmer, slave…make an appointment, and create your character.
Famous Gods:
Apollo
Mars
Venus

Viking costumes are extremely versatile. Here is a long and varied list of Themed parties they may attend:

• Viking
• Uniform (why not?)
• Fetish
• Halloween
• Fairytales
• Cartoon or Comic strip (Asterix)
• “F” (fur)
• Medievil
• Under the Sea (ghost vikings- that didn’t make it to Valhalla as they drowned in a freak storm and not in battle)
• Horror (simply add blood)
• Hero
• Super Hero (add a shiny cape..and maybe a lightning bolt vest)
• Gods and Goddesses – Thor god of thunder and lightning
• Culture party
• World party
• Movie party…..etc…etc

COSTUME HIRE:

Woo Woo!

All aboard!

Here are some bits an pieces I thought could be dressed up to attain some interesting characters.

You could go as some black market dude, with trench coat or leather jacket. the only thing is, I don’t have heaps of gold watches to line the insides with. But I may have some gold jewels you could use.

just wear a t shirt, or dress shirt underneath, and gold aviator or elvis sunglasses. You could be a highly successful gangster in nice leather or pinstripe jacket, shirt and gold jewellery, and your lady could be your fully pimped girlfriend / wife / mistress. with over done make up and boofy beauty pageant hair and nails. You know the look? You would ideally need a gold watch and some gold rings, and a gold chain.
Ivana trump style, maybe with a scarf at the neck.

A fluffy white hat and matching cuffs could be the go, why not go as a white russian, and black russian cocktail drink, he all in black, and she all in white?

or you could go as kooky winter wonderland travellers from afar…(hence the viking hats, I mean c’mon! how many chances in life do you get to dress as a viking with such a well made leather hat?)

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