Oh, The Glamourous Life!

Dear Constant Reader,

So, what went on at this Costume-Con I keep speaking of?

This is going to be a long one…

On Friday, I flew to Toronto with my biggest suitcase crammed full of costumes. As soon as I had checked into my hotel, I ran right over to the convention hotel and checked in for my competition (before I even checked in for the convention itself). I gave them my documentation and music and picked times for my pre-judging appointment and tech rehearsal. Then I could actually relax and head back to get ready for the Friday Night Social.

The theme of this year’s convention was Myths, Monsters, and Legends, so it was a Monster Club Social. I wore The Diva’s Coat over a slinky black dress. Not exactly thematic, but at least it was appropriately Gothic.

The refreshments were all appropriately themed with bloody beverages and amusing refreshments like popcorn seasoned with aged unicorn tears (cheddar). Adorable Lolita vampire maids were walking around enticing guests to play biting games with the prize of a badge ribbon (not that the maids were biting; you’d alternate sticking your hands in the mouth of a toothy toy and see who got bit). The centerpiece of the evening was the Single Pattern Contest. “Single Pattern” was appropriate, as almost all of the contestants chose the mermaid pattern. (Pix here.)

I couldn’t leaving without posing by the hotel’s grand staircase!

I’m totally lying. There was a photographer with a green screen and a variety of backgrounds on his computer. I’m delighted with how it came out.

Saturday I went retro with a 1940’s styled dress (yes, I made it) and seamed stockings. Although I attended a workshop and a meet-up, my real focus of the day was the pre-judging. You get to show the judges your costume close-up (and off your body), answer questions, and point out the good stuff. My appointment time neared… and passed… and passed… Although each entry was allotted 15 minutes, the group before me had *eleven* entrants and I guess the judges wanted to see everything. Finally, it was my turn. Only an hour late.

After that I was more than happy to hang out with some friends and plot our costume presentation for next year in South Carolina until it was time for me to head out for Bosoms and Blossoms. By doing so I missed the Fantasy & Sci-Fi Masquerade (aka SF&F), which is the high point of most people’s weekend (Pix here). I heard there were 88 entries and the poor judges weren’t done until about the same time I got back from my gig in the wee hours. I can’t say I totally regret having other plans.

Sunday I slept in and skipped the Future Fashion Show. I wore the same costume I had performed in the night before* (with the corset this time), in a slightly different configuration, since I was definitely not stripping.

Although I had strolled the dealers’ room several times, I was restrained in my purchases. Partially because I didn’t have much Canadian money (at first) and partially because I had no room in my suitcase. I did buy a break-down wig stand, which was much better than the ice bucket I had been using in my room. And my eye kept getting caught by a 1931 dress clip at Ceilidh Creations. Finally I gave in because I was sure it would go nicely with some Deco shoe clips Betty had given me. What do you think?

At last I had my tech rehearsal and then it was time to prepare for the Historical Masquerade. Fortunately, my friend Rae had a room in the convention hotel and let me get ready there. I know she was really nervous, but I was having a great time, dancing around to Weird Al (thanks Bill!).

That’s not to say I wan’t nervous about the competition. I had to show a burlesque costume to its best advantage in an interesting, yet family-friendly way, in under a minute. Also, this was my first time competing in the Master division in the Historical.
Photo by Terri Meyer Boake

I think it went very well. At least the audience sounded like they liked it. While the judges were deliberating, the entrants went out on stage one by one for the audience to photograph. It felt like I was on stage forever — so many people wanted a shot, especially a rear view. : )

I guess the judges thought it went well too. I was awarded Best Documentation in my category and division. I was grinning like a maniac when I went up on stage to get my ribbon. I *sweated* over that documentation. I also received the “Minsky Award” for my presentation (the judges have discretion to give out whatever additional honors they like).

And now I have just over a year to get ready for the next one!

I didn’t take a lot of pictures (and less and less as the weekend wore on), but you can see them here.

*Best Presentation, Master division, Arisia 2008. Just mentioning…