sustainable fashion & decor

Happy Spring! It's always interesting this time of year—looking backward, looking forward. How do I evolve? Grow? Learn? Share? What are my next steps?

Almost two years ago, I had the honor and privilege of meeting Kat Day Gomez—our illustrious CEO, editor in chief and artist extraordinaire!

We bonded almost instantaneously, sharing story ideas and artistic inspirations. That creative connection and love of all things sustainable has continued to grow and evolve. One of our hopes is that you all (or y'all as we say in Texas), continue this evolution with us by embracing sustainable options in your everyday life and expanding your thinking about interacting with sustainable goods through reworking, imagining and playing!

A few issues back, we brought you our sustainable take on "Surrealism" - “a style in art and literature in which ideas, images and objects are combined in a strange way, like in a dream.” [Collins Dictionary] Future story telling will include this inspiration of dreams, called "The Land of Nod". But today, we present "Send in the Clowns" as our inspiration. I'll let Kat tell you about that!

“It was super important to me that I go back to my roots on this one,” Kat explains. “The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium is my umbrella brand for all of my design work and much of my curated, reworked vintage as well as the accessories and props I create. The Imaginarium has always been in theory, a traveling circus, of sorts. So I appropriately named my first line of hand sewn clown ruffs and tutus my Cirque Couture collection. For this endeavor, I was fortunate to have the guidance of seamstress Laura Arellano who constructed the first iterations of these pieces, while providing valuable insights and tutoring for me to be able to construct the rest of the collection, indefinitely.

What’s exceptional about this collection is that I use dead stock and remnant materials, including antique findings and ribbons to make them. Like everything else I do within The Imaginarium design haus, each piece is entirely sustainable with ethically sourced materials and one of a kind or extremely limited edition.

BECKY’S STYLING INSPO

I knew going into this project exactly what I wanted to emulate I’ve always been obsessed with vintage clowns from a bygone era. Then Becky completely surprised me by modernizing my baseline to make the looks fun, funky and relevant to our times The results are something truly unexpected and wildly imaginative!

And like most of my design concepts, ‘practical’ is a notion that goes straight out the window. The point of this exercise in sustainable fashion is to get you thinking completely outside of the box, to rattle convention, and maybe even inspire some rad festival wear ideas for the upcoming season.”

ON WITH THE SHOW!

Believe it or not, circus chic is a legitimate theme within the fashion industry on the runway, in editorials and as a stylistic aesthetic. From the big design houses like Gucci, Dior, Dolce, Moschino and more, to up and coming designers and new trending brands, you are sure to find some exciting homages to life under the big top. Just take a look at some of our key inspirations for this project…

[See full credits in our back directory.]

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The Windjammer •

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Circus marches are high, loud and fast giving them the nickname “Screamers.” The circus band members are called “Windjammers” because they jam so much wind into their instruments to perform the “Screamers.”

This look was inspired by the vintage marching boots I picked up at an estate sale that came with an extra set of tassels - how cool is that?

Two days later, the marching band hat caught my eye and the story began to unfold. Keep your “feelers” open to new inspiration. Sometimes the universe really is speaking to you.

The Nipple Effect •

Walking the tightrope requires balance, focus and a costume that walks the line between fantasy and reality.

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The Aerialist •

As she ascends the ladder to the Trapeze platform, her cape flows around her catching the light and swaying to her movements. She stands on the platform and effortlessly sheds the cape. It floats to the ground as a reminder of just how high this apparatus is.

Another costume look sourced at Warrenton for a song. The cape with its’ pointed sequined collar and color combination of fuchsia and silver tells the circus story.

A nippled corset and leopard print pants keep it “tight!” A sense of humor can brighten a look and pull you in. All it takes is a pair of pink pompoms!

VIP Circus Guest •

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What do you wear to the circus when know you will be photographed? Color, color and more color! A little gleam of gold, some turquoise brocade and some bling. Take inspiration from this multi-colored dress. Throw in some gaudy gold accessories and you are ready to take on the Circus!

This vintage embellished red dress of Kat’s and her unique turban were the beginnings of this stand out look. We layered the mini dress over a longer skirt and added this intense turquoise jacket from my collection. Vintage brooches, gold platforms and two purse selections explore this outfit’s options. Definitely a more is more look.

LET’S GO TO THE BIG TOP!

The real magic is in the application. So let’s take a look at how circus couture translates when worn. Our lovely models, Kealy and Nmandu expertly illustrate the many ways this theme can be outrageous, fun and experimental all at once.

The Clown Puppeteer

This look was built around a tutu from my vintage tutu collection combined with Kat’s handmade ruffled collars, a hat made by her son Aiden, and a 70’s vintage leather vest. This fun mix of dots, checks, florals and ruffles speak to the many facets of this key Circus character.

The Lion Tamer

Long coat tails and a vintage sequined men’s vest bring power and intrigue to this look. I sourced the shorts with red scalloped trim at the Warrenton Antiques Fair. Gold chain belts were used as necklaces. A thrift store sourced Barnum and Bailey’s felt hat embellished by Kat gives this look authenticity while thigh high boots bring the drama. Poor lion does not stand a chance!

The Unicyclist

Adding fun, color and feathers, she wheels around the Big Top in stilettos and flirty feathered shorts in bright orange of course! The multi-colored and ruffled Nikki Chason

The Fire Breather

She strikes a match and a pose, throws back her hair and her head, breathing flames which match the brilliant reds, turquoises and pinks of this highly layered look. The base is a pink and red dot dress sourced at The Salvation Army layered under another vintage tutu from my collection and an oversized floral mini skirt. The handmade vintage red satin vest is trimmed in gold brocade and paired with a gorgeous turquoise collar designed by Kat.

top screamed circus to me when I found it!

{Note that every backdrop you see throughout this article was shot in Becky’s home amidst her alreadyadventurous decor.}

The Ring Mistress

Poise, glamour and sequins in red and purple bring this look Over the Big Top. A tiara and a vintage handmade sequined tulle cape frame a beautiful face.

Vintage tiaras give a hint of royalty to any ensemble and can be picked up at antiques malls for a song.

The Magician

She pulls cats out of a hat and scarves out of her ears. The look started with these House of Harlow pants that reference the Big Top and a sequined jacket from Kat's collection. Magical shoes and a very tall top hat, also from Kat's Imaginarium collection help focus eyes away from the slight of hand.

The Circus Chanteuse

As her voice soars high in the center ring of the Big Top, plumed white stallions ridden bare back surround her caped, brocade look topped off with a vintage fur crown. Being a collector of vintage goodies means pulling from many collections for this look.

The cape is one of my oldest tutus, combined with a brocade floral corset and one of my vintage fur pieces.

The brooch on the fur was my mother's from the 70's. She wore it on her black and white polyester jumpsuit. Sentimental jewelry with memories is THE best thing to collect.

The Horseback Rider

Danger does not scare this master rider! She dons her platform heals and rides standing on her horse, Blaze. Both wear plumed headresses and her flowing yellow tulle train catches the air and accentuates their speed.

Every now and then I run across a vintage handmade costume piece, such as this fabulous feather concoction. The price was right—I had to have it! I picture wearing this for Fiesta here in San Antonio or using it as an art installation at home. If a piece grabs you, buy it! Figure out the rest out later!

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Laura Gorman & hmua Crystel Cortez