Papusza Couture Design for Laura Milkin's Walking Home Project

As many of you know I am currently traveling across the United States working on several nomad inspired projects-Paramicha and Nomadsland. As you can imagine I have met many amazing travelers along the way.

In my expedition I was thrilled to meet multi-media interactive performance artist Laura Milkins, who is currently working on the inspiring and compelling Walking Home: stories from the desert to the Great Lakes project. Starting on May 1st Laura will be walking 2000 miles from Tucson, AZ. to Grand Rapids, MI., where she grew up and where her family lives. She will be streaming live online 24/7, and along the way she will be walking and staying with people from all the places she passes through. She will not only be documenting her experience, but she will also be documenting the interesting stories of those she encounters.

I was thrilled when a mutual friend put me in touch with her, and felt inspired by the kindred free spiritedness of her adventure-especially in it being so congruent with my own cross country journey. As part of her travels Laura has asked 3 designers, including myself, to design pieces for her to wear as she walks. I am very excited about the project, and will be designing her a kimono jacket and storytelling dress. Please stay tuned for pictures in the upcoming weeks.

In the meantime show your support to Laura by pledging to Walking Home on Kickstarter (and get some awesome goodies if you are a backer) and liking the Walking Home page on facebook. Also, look for a blog in the upcoming weeks that includes shots of my pieces for Laura, and in May follow her live stream to see her walking Northbound through the desert in Papusza.

LA: Papusza Couture Trunk Show hosted by Francesca Lia Block!

Inspired by the beauty of the free spirit, come and shop Papusza Couture's Spring/Summer demi collection, Nomadsland. Get great prices and first dibs on fun, one of a kind, handmade dresses, shorts, vests, collars, tops-all made from unique fair trade ethnic fabrics collected from cultures around the world-and hand painted tights. You will also find great prices on hand-dyed Papusza LIMB tights, reworked vintage slips and antique hand painted leather gloves from Papusza's series, Stain. Don't miss out on these beautiful and unique pieces that will be sure to bring a spirited splash to your wardrobe!!!

This trunk show will be hosted by Papusza's favored author Francesca Lia Block. FLB books will be for sale for good prices too!!!

RSVP here and please forward this invite to all your Los Angeles based friends!!!

Papusza Feature on HerHattanNYC and Spring Sale on LIMBS!!!!

Have a look at the fabulous feature that HerHattan NYC did on Papusza Art Couture. You can read a bit about my current collection, Paramicha, and also find out a bit more about where my art comes from.

Also, I will be doing a Spring Sale on LIMBS starting today, through April 15th, or while supplies last. I have almost every color available, and will be adding a few new ones in the upcoming week including brown, black and wine. Normally they are $28 a pair, but will be available through the 15th for $20 a pair or 2 for $35. They are a very stylish way to transition into your Spring wardrobe, if you are still struggling with chilly winter weather.


Photo by Gemma Fleming

For inquiries please email me at kaytee@papuszacouture.com.

One of a kind limited edition hand painted LIMBS, and other lingerie goodies, will be for sale soon on both my Etsy and Smashing Darling. Stay tuned for these fun, exciting colorful goodies-ideal for the upcoming seasons!

Life Outside NY Part 1: Austin and SXSW

As many of you know I am on a bit of a leave from New York for a few months. After doing nearly a dozen shows in less then a 6 month period, moving from Brooklyn into Manhattan and barely ever getting to leave the city for things other then work I decided it was time for a break. I have been living in the big apple now for about 4 years, and although I love it enormously I have gotten so caught up in the hustle and bustle of existing there that I had forgotten what life outside New York was like. I am happy to report that the escape has been awakening and I am happy to be on this trip.

My first stop was Austin, where I spent a little more then a month. Got to make some art with my dear friend and associate Desideria Adame and spend some fun times in the great little city of ATX. It was quite a charming place and I will definitely be returning.

The finale week of the trip was South by Southwest, one of the many great film and music festivals in Austin. I saw a ton of awesome bands-my favorite the "Japanese Action Comic Punk" band Peelander-Z. I also got to see a ton of great friends who where visiting for or playing at the festival-a couple of which I hadn't seen in over a year. One of the highlights was taking a ride on a giant mustache seasaw.

See photos of some of my favorite moments below. Stay tuned for more on my adventures of life outside the big city.

Peelander-Z

Moustache Seasaw

My besties!!!!



Hand painted kid leather gloves I made.

Gemma Fleming's "SPARE" Featuring Papusza LIMBS

In January my darling friend, associate and fellow artist Gemma Fleming debuted her most recent short film, SPARE at HNM's Pain Exhibit. SPARE features performances by Maxine Nienow and Michaeline Sexton, among others. I had the pleasure of custom making Papusza LIMB tights and a mask for the areal portion of the film. LIMBS are for sale, and can be purchased from me if you email me at kaytee@papuszacouture.com or go through my Smashing Darling. For a full list of the talented people involved in creating this piece go here or you can check out SPARE below. Also, look at Gemma's website to see details about her upcoming show in Manhattan, "Not a Fairy Tale."

"SPARE" from Gemma Fleming on Vimeo.

Papusza's Saint Valentine Dress-Winner at Patricia Fields Valentine's Ball!!!

This year for the Patricia Fields Valentine's Ball I had the honorable pleasure of designing my darling friend, muse and associate Rachel Singer an outfit to wear. Rachel and I decided that Saint Valentine's a la Dia De Los Muertos meets Elizabethan Couture would be a good route to go. I designed her a gown using a beautiful golden vestment fabric (which happens to be the same fabric I bought the first day I moved to New York 4 years ago), which had accents in gold, orange and pink. The dress was strewn with golden chains and grommets, a side tilted steel bone hooped skirt and a bodice that matched the crucifixes on the fabric. I had been conceptualizing this gown for years. Beneath Rachel wore little rose brocaded orange and gold hot pants I made her, and over the bodice a bra adorned with giant flaming heart lights (that lit up!) over each breast. On her head she wore a 10 lb. antler head piece, made using leftover antlers from the piece I recently showed during Basel Miami at The SCOPE International Art Fair. Her makeup was done with the talents of mua Lysette Drumgold.

Rachel was the first prize winner at the ball's costume competition, and received a generous gift certificate to enjoy using at Pat Field's boutique on Bowery. I take this as an enormous compliment, being that I have loved Miss Field's work for years. See some fun photos of us getting Rachel ready for the evening taken by Analisa Deolaso.

Video of Papusza and Burley at SCOPE Night Event

It was fun.... a little to much fun! Here is video footage documenting the SCOPE Night Event the piece Katie Burley and I made was featured at. You can see the piece, among the debauchery and fun of the night. Catch a glimpse of me hanging with our great model, Ashley Garner, followed by a glimpse of Katie looking gorgeous in fur and feathers! Oh, Miami.... what a trip!

SCOPE Miami : The Night Event Produced by Artists Wanted from Artists Wanted on Vimeo.