Kai'outi Magazine: Woodland Issue Cover and Editorial

There has been so much happening lately in Papusza Land that I am far behind on posting photos from all the magical things that have been happening lately. I will be posting more in the upcoming weeks, but wanted to share the November issue of Kai'outi Magazine, which has a photo of the beautiful Neon Lolita wearing Papusza Couture on the cover, and includes an editorial. I love this whimsical editorial, shot by Justin Schlesinger, with dreamy hair and makeup by Monique Noelle. This is "Neon Forest" from the "Woodland" issue of Kai'outi Magazine.

"Undine" Art Couture Collection-Editorial by Regina Marie

My summer was split between two focuses; both allowing me to create my most recent art couture collection, titled "Undine." One of the focuses was throwing myself into the furls of learning new skills and how to work with new materials in order to procure all of the treasures needed to craft this collection. The other focus was one which pulled me deep into the spirit of the sea, and learning how to understand the language of this water world, which has always soothed me.

I spent months working on this collection, laboriously scoring and drilling glass and china, scheming how to affix spoons to form a bodice, weaving abalone shells into an intricate harness and bustle set... and of course there was lot's of sewing. At the end of it all I had the honor of showcasing the collection at the beautiful de Young Fine Art Museum of San Francisco. As a fashion designer one of my favorite aspects of the work is having the opportunity to showcase my more sculptural couture in an art appropriate setting, and was honored this was my first museum exhibition.

My absolute favorite part of my creative process is that final moment when the piece is captured in it's idyllic setting, and this usually resonates in the form of a photoshoot. This is when the art is in it's purest form, and in the case of "Undine" this was close to nature, beside the sea, where the spirit of the concept was born. Below you will find many of these beautiful images and the story that they tell.

If you would like to know more about this collection, and fashion as an art form, please read muse Ashley Garner's recent article in Creem Magazine.

Photographer: Regina Marie
All garments handmade by Papusza Couture
Custom Accessories by Mad Elegance
Models: Ashley Garner and Kate Coneely
Hair and Makeup: Elle Duerr

"Undine" Art Couture Prsentation at The de Young Museum

I am proud to announce that I had my first museum showcase of art couture a couple of weeks back. I debuted my newest collection of sea inspired work-titled "Undine"-as part of beautiful memorial show called "What Tethers Us?". This emotive and stunning show included many talented artist from around the SF area, and was curated by visionary artist Deidre DeFranceaux, who released brilliant collection of mermaid inspired paintings at the show.

My collection Undine is a fine art couture collection, conveying the erie spirit of the sea, and all the injured lives and souls that are washed clean by it's waters. In mythology an Undine is a nymph-like water spirit, eternally immortal unless she is captured by certain elements of landlocked life. Inspired by this mythology, the garments of this collection are melancholy, haunting and ethereal. Each garment is hand made as a giant wind chime of sorts, using unconventional materials such as abalone shells, broken china, sea glass and silver wear... All objects that one might find on the floor of the sea after a ship wreck, ideal treasures for a spritely water spirit to be adorned in. These objects are incorporated in the garments in a way that allows them to create musical noise when they are worn and ignited with movement.  The idea is that this movement brings a magical sense of life with it. This collection of art couture is an ode to the singing spirits of the sea, being carried to us upon the wind to whisper their secrets to us.

Have a glimpse of the collection and some magical moments from the Papusza Couture presentation of the show below...

CREDITS:

Photos by Regina Marie
All garments designed and fabricated by Papusza Couture
Custom accessories and millinery by Mad Elegance
Hair and makeup design by Ellementals

Model: Audra Horride with the paintings of Deidre DeFranceaux

Model: Kate Coneely

Model: Jonny Signer

Model: Ashley Garner

Happy Hallows! Spellbinding Fall and Winter Wares from Papusza "SeANCE".

Do you need to add some magic and a touch of dark glamour to your wardrobe?  Be absolutely spellbindingly beautiful in unique OOAK pieces from Papusza Couture's "SeANCE" collection, which can be found in the etsy shop. Have a peak at a few of the looks that where shot earlier this Fall below:

Photographer: Kat Bret
Model: Kate Coneely
Hair/MU: Molly McCormick Foundations Hair & Makeup
All wardrobe by Papusza Couture. Hat in image two courtesy of She's My Lil Rock N Roll. Head chain in image 3 by The Littlest Feather.

Custom Halloween Costume Orders and Rentals

As many of you know in past years I have enjoyed creating many handmade custom Halloween costumes for clients. This year, with the mid October upcoming debut of my new art couture collection at the De Young, I will only be taking on a limited amount of orders for custom Halloween costumes. If you would like to place an order for a costume with me and you do it before September 29th I will be charging my normal rate. All orders places after this date will include a rush fee. Some of the costumes I have created in the past include mermaids, fairies, Peter Pan boys, bird men, futuristic babes, bloody brides, Phantom characters, Angry Birds and beyond. Have a peak at some of my favorites below... I will also have a small variety of garments available for rental, including the first three pictured below.

"Bloody Swan" Photo by Elizabeth Raab. Model-Elizabeth. MU/Hair: Brandee Slossar.

"Bloody Crow" Photo by Elizabeth Raab. Model-Cayte Bosler. MU: Dawn Tunnell. Hair: Danyale Cooke.

"Seaglass" Photo by Regina Marie. Model: Audra Horride. MU: Becky Brazier. Hair: Celia Racicot. Staff by Mad Elegance.

Shell Bra photographed by Regina Marie.

                                          

Photo by Julie Hanna. Model-Ashley. Batwings available in my etsy shop.

Papusza Trousseau: Custom Bridal and Heirloom Couture

"To gaze once upon her was to be filled with love for her. When she smiled roses blossomed; when she wept pearls fell from her eyes, and grass grew wherever her feet trod. The fame of her beauty spread far and wide." -Quote from Turkish fairytale, 'The Rose-Beauty'

In the past few years, since moving to California from NYC, I have spent a lot of time creating custom bridal and heirloom couture. I recently created a new portfolio for this line, entitled "Papusza Trousseau". This line consists of specialty custom gowns, dresses and separates-made for clients with memorable occasions-from specialty high end fabrics and/or heirloom materials. These garments are made to be part of a very magical memory and story, to capture a fragment of every lovely ladies heart, and pin it on her sleeve. Made to make dreams come true, these couture garments will last lifetimes. Some occasions I have made Trousseau couture for include weddings, graduations, birthdays, anniversaries and gala's. If you are interested in having a couture gown made for you please feel for to inquire for details at papuszacouture@gmail.com.

Above photos of couture "Flower Fairy Wedding Gown" by Julie Hanna.

Above photos of "Ocean Parachute Gown" by Darren Miller. This gown is a parachute gown that can be worn longer or shorter, as pictured. It includes a hand tinted petticoat that has 2 dozen macaw parrot and albino peacock feathers as well as nearly 50 tiny bells.

Photo by Katie Wright.

Photo by Sarah Sparkles.

Photo by John Keon.

"Voluptuaria" | Unique Clothes for Curves

"A divine nimbus exhales from it from head to foot,
It attracts with fierce undeniable attraction,
I am drawn by it's breath as if I were no more then a helpless vapor,
all falls aside but myself and it....
Hair, bosom, hips, bend of legs, negligent falling hands all diffused,
mine too diffused..."

-Walt Whitman

I am happy to have recently debuted my newest line, entitled "Voluptuaria". As one might gather from the name, this is a line of unique and handmade clothing for curvaliscious babes. You can find a couple of these items already listed for sale in my shop, and keep an eye out for more coming later on this summer. This line is an homage to the soft and feminine aesthetic of vintage Hollywood glamour, with a touch of tattered punk rock and bohemian romance. Below you can find beautiful editorial captures taken by the talented Marisa Pike from the first shoot of this line, which was set at the iconic Hotel Shangri-La in Santa Monica. These looks are modeled by drop dead gorgeous bombshell blond Felicity Hayward, looking like a classic Hollywood beauty in hair and makeup by Giovanna Paramo.

Flowers in May: Lolita Flora Editorial

At the dawn of Spring I did a shoot with a talented little crew of ladies, and enjoyed the blossoming of the season in the whimsical hills of Berkeley. I created an editorial around a small collection of dresses, embellished with silk flowers. Shoot day was every bit as dreamy as I had imagined... our team was truly full of magic, and enchanted with flower power. If you would like to purchase clothing from this editorial it can be found for sale in my etsy.

PHOTO CREDITS:

Photographer: Regina Marie
Model: Neon Lolita
MU/Hair: Becky Brazier
Wardrobe Stylist: Kaytee Papusza
Wardrobe Designer: Papusza Couture
Flower Crowns: Katie Burley Millinery
Jewelry: Taxil Hoax