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.

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.

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.

Papusza Couture in Bambi Magazine

I was happy to see shots of Mika Jones from the shoot that awesome photographer Magdalena Olek did with my dresses in Bambi Magazine, Issue 2. My dresses are paired with the gorgeous millinery of Velvet Antler. The shots were taken in Brooklyn in April. I was in love with them and am so glad the story got picked up. To view the images go to editorial #3 in Issue 2 of Bambi, via link above. Also, print copies are available per order.

Coney Island Mermaid Parade Magic!!

A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of making costumes for and partaking in the magical Mermaid Parade, 2010, at Coney Island. Although I had never had the pleasure of walking in the parade before I had always loved the idea of it, being an avid lover of all things "mer," since my childhood growing up close to the Oregon coast.

I was excited to be in the parade as part of a group organized by dear friends Ali Schmitz (who won "Best Mermaid" last year) and Justin AuBuchon. The concept was inspired by a beautiful illustration, including a queen being pulled on of a chariot of seahorses, with fluffy white clouds floating behind her. I made 3 "cloud dresses" for the parade, including a storm cloud, a serene cloud and a rainbow cloud (which was the one I wore in the parade!!).

Here are some photos of the magic. I am already very excited for next years parade!!



(Above) Me as a rainbow cloud!!

(Above) Laura dancing on the beach after the parade as the serene cloud.

(Above) Melinda was the storm cloud. I don't have any pictures of her in her dress, but her makeup looks awesome.





(Above) Darling friends Ali and Justin on stilts leading the way!!

(Above) Lovely photo taken on the boardwalk after the parade by Jessica Amaya.

Papusza Couture & Maleen Dalan in the New York Post on Rachel Singer!!!

Was exciting to see dear friend and amazing stylist/artist Rachel Singer in Sunday's New York Post wearing Maleen Dalan and Papusza Couture garments together! Read the article 'Taking Back The Night' in Sunday's Post to read full article about Rachel and see more pictures. Also, see Rachel's NY Post online style guide here, wearing her Maleen and Papusza look. Also, kudos to talented super Adam Maclay and Lysette Drumgold for doing a breathtakingly beautiful job on Rachel's hair and makeup!!! Big love to all involved!!!


Miss Rachel looking magical in beautiful headpiece and top by Maleen Dalan and tea stained antique lace skirt by Papusza Couture!

Sang Bleu 5, Featuring Papusza Article, Now For Sale in NYC

"Papusza's methods are resoundingly odd, but her creations are subtle and far from a horror show. Unless some of the embellishments are pointed out, one might not even notice that a large bead is actually a pigeon skull dangling from a braid. Her work melds fashion to fine art and to a display at a natural history museum."

-Excerpt from "The Bird Woman of Brooklyn," an article by William Van Meter in Sang Bleu Journal

Sang Bleu 5 is now available for purchase in New York. It can also be purchased at numerous locations, and on the web here, where you can also find a complete list of locations to purchase Sang Bleu in New York, Europe and Japan.


Photo taken by Kat + Duck in Paris before the issue was released in the states. Portrait of me taken by Alex O'Neill.