on New York
The only excuse I have for such a get-up is Steampunk Day at the NY Renaissance Faire ("Renn Faire"), the sort-of reenactment/fantasy edition of jolly old England - and any other culture from vaguely around that time period. Ok, ok: it was a fun day, and it inspired your intrepid editor to feel the need to "make an effort." (And, astonishingly, I got compliments!)
The look is *supposed* to be a cross between Victorian gothic dress and the Industrial Revolution. (Think: the Sherlock Holmes movies with Robert Downey, Jr.) And the Renn Faire, in its efforts to bring in new audiences and keep the usual one interested, likes to introduce themes: their Pirate Day is such a perennial favorite that some folks dress-like-a-pirate any old time there. "Steampunk" is a much more elaborate - and expensive - look than "pirate" (unless you have a real cutlass/sword or genuine gold doubloons): gold pocket watches, brass-encrusted goggles, antique pistols, brass spyglasses, hand-tooled leather holsters, and so on are used as decoration on fancy dresses and suits, hats, etc. So, the key (also used as decoration) to getting that Steampunk ensemble together - unless you're very wealthy or compulsive - is to buy a piece or two at a time.
Anyway, here are some pix of the picks:
And a very scarey-good video of a star attraction: "Cast in Bronze" - a quirky carillon, played by a masked and silent golden crow spirit. An excellent YouTube of this act is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVu6IVlchwA
FAB WEEKEND PARTY-PARADES
By far, one of the most popular New York party-parades is the annual West Indian Day Parade - on Labor Day, in a little borough called Brooklyn.
I'M A LITTLE AD-DLED
Why is a grey-haired or head-shaved (Vin Diesel) or hirsute/scruffy-bearded (even a Willie-Nelson lookalike-type) or beaten (Wolverine) male STILL considered exciting, sexy, and appealing when the go-to ad image of a woman is young, shaved, rested, buff, and just-slightly helpless or needing approval...notably of a man? You think I'm beating an old drum? Consider this ad from DSW, the online shoe heaven. (Apologies for the extra homework: this website would not link directly. Hmm.)http://www.dsw.com/dsw_shoes/promotions/banner11.jsp?cm_mmc=emmkt-_-20130902_clblkgold-_-V1-_-bdy2
COULD IT BE...
...that the Brits have it right?Headline: Judi Dench Shows Sexy Side
"Dame Judi Dench showed her sexy side in a side-split dress at Venice Film Festival."
Why is a 78-year old British actress considered a "model", role model - oh, really a national icon? Because she earned it! Who else could have won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for a 10-minute appearance in an American movie?! [Shakespeare In Love - and let's not be catty and say it's because she was the only one with the gravitas and acting ability to pull it off...k?]
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UPCOMING
