Sunday, August 29, 2010

Paramicha Tarot Card Dresses-Photo by Ali Scarpulla

I had the wonderful pleasure of working with amazing photographer Ali Scarpulla on a shoot using a couple of my tarot card dresses from the Paramicha Collection. Beautiful models Mika and Emily did an amazing job portraying the characters of the shoot flawlessly. Couldn't even dream of a more ideally serene portrayal of these dresses. Eyeball earrings handmade by Desideria Adame.












Wednesday, August 25, 2010

McQueen Tribute Show Photos by Gemma Fleming

Here are some of my favorite behind the scenes and runway shots from the IMTA Alexander McQueen Tribute show I presented in a few weeks ago. These were taken by talented photographer, and dear friend, Gemma Fleming. To see all of the photos visit the Smashing Darling Blog here.







With 2 of my favorite girls, stylist Rachel Singer (left), photographer Gemma Fleming (center) and moi (right).


Rachel, works the minks taxidermy skirt and Italian leather bodice.


Finishing touches...



I adore hologram that McQueen did with Kate Moss. It was kinda perfecting seeing my garments walking beside it.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Papusza Couture @ Alexander McQueen Tribute Show

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to show some of my pieces, both from older collections and my upcoming Paramicha collection, for an Alexander McQueen tribute show last week. The show was put on by Adam's Group Productions for IMTA, and was held in the midtown Manhattan ballroom on July 28th.


Taxidermy Seagull Outfit. There is a bustle on the back of mink skirt made of wings, and bone and feather embellishing bodice, from the same seagull as wings.


Ghostcape.


Vampella Dress.

McQueen is an extremely honorable person to tribute. Those of you that have been following my work might know of my great love of his beautiful collections, and what a huge inspiration he was to me. I know many other young designers feel the same way. In honor of him I showed 2 of the dresses from my Paramicha collection, which I will be fully debuting in the fall. I also showed 2 dresses from my recent Oceania Etherea Collection, including one made of mink and taxidermied seagull parts, and the long white ghostcape, strewn with peacock feathers. The fifth piece I showed was my Vampella dress, handmade of vintage Italian lace from the 1940's.


High Priestess Dress.

The Paramicha dresses are very dear to me. A series of dresses made of a deck of tarot cards is part of this collection, and I showed 2 of these dresses in the McQueen tribute show. The "High Priestess Dress" is a personal favorite, made of fair trade hand woven silk from Pakistan, tulle hand dyed by me, and a selected 7 cards, in reflection of the traditional tarot Ellipse spread. In honor of McQueen I made a gown based around the "Death Card." The Death Card itself sits in a collar piece, which also includes the Moon Card, among other cards encased in the skirt. Personally, the moon represents peace to me, which is why I thought it was appropriate to use in the gown. I used 5 cards in the "Death Card" dress, in reflection of the five card spread.


"Death Card" Gown.

Please stay tuned to see more tarot card dresses, among other pieces from the Paramicha Collection.

Most importantly, it was very lovely to be able to tribute McQueen with my pieces. I am still so deeply saddened by the loss of his exquisite works in the fashion world. He was a huge inspiration, and I always looked forward to seeing what he would come up with each season. We were lucky to have him as a part of history in our time.