Vikki Stevenson

Challenge One

When I first found out the challenge, I was excited as I love the gothic genre, and I especially love black. I had recently received the Ficon "Luxe" doll and wanted to create something just for her as she only had the clothes on her back!  Although I did read Lori Lyon's post about black on the CDDC blog, I wanted it black and elegant.  I envisioned long flowing sleeves and long sheer train that could be removed to achieve a different look. I wanted different textures and types of black fabric so it wasn't exactly monotone and I added a surprising touch of yellow in the stitching on the corset and repeated in the gold beadwork in the flowers that adorn the train and hat. I visualized a black shag wig that framed the face and a choker necklace to accent the neckline of the dress.  My vision turned into what I call...                             "Gothica" Strapless fitted bodice gown of black cotton with layers of gathered black puff window panel chiffon
with gathered tulle layers between.  Bodice is lined in ecru cotton and gown features snap closures in the back.
Detachable sleeves are created from gathered black silk chiffon.  The removable train is also of black silk
chiffon and is adorned at the top with hand created flowers of the same fabric adorned with gold bead accents.
The train attaches to the dress with hook and threaded loop. The corset is created of black pleather with yellow accent stitching following the cut of the corset.
The corset laces closed in the front and also features straps that wrap around the body of the corset
and snap closed across the front. A black satin formed hat with chiffon flowers to match the train is embellished with 2 fluffy black feathers
and a tulle bow in the back. Black stretch knit thigh high stockings and a black braided lined beaded choker necklace with snap
closure at the back completes the ensemble. The hard cap shag wig was created by me from black saran hair to complement this design. The shoes are from Wilde Imagination's "Letting Off Steam" Ellowyne.

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Challenge Two

When I discovered the theme of this challenge, I had to go with my daughter's all time favorite, Little Red Riding Hood.  In my vision she isn't so little any more and has traded in her cape and hood for a steampunk inspired coat and top hat, while still saving her innocence with her white lace and tulle mini dress.  I also wanted to stay with the red, black, and white colors depicted in many of the illustrations. My creation is:Red Riding Hood Goes SteampunkThe basic piece is an innocent white mini dress with a lace bodice and many layers of hand gathered tulle to create the skirt and delicately gathered tulle across the bustline to soften the overall look.  The bodice has been completely lined in soft white cotton.  The corset is black leather and features grommeted lace closure in the front using red grosgrain ribbon and back of the neck snap closure. The half swing coat is crafted using red sueded cotton and completely lined in red satin.  The coat features collar and cuffed sleeve and wraps around Red Riding Hood using two straps of grommeted pleather and snaps across the front of the coat. The straps have been accessorized in steampunk fashion with attached chain and dangle charm. These features are carried over in the red sueded top hat with a hat band of the grommeted pleather used on the coat. The hat has been decorated with a floppy lace bow (from the dress) and red and black tulle bow with two petite black fluffy feathers.The ensemble is completed with black ribbed stockings.I opted to create a hardcap long black wig, using dreadlock weave hair, for my grown up version of RRH.The white tall boots are from Ficon Luxe.

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Challenge Three

I was inspired in this week's challenge by the late designer Alexander McQueen's "Ice Queen" dress.  I loved the asymmetrical drape of the gown and the "shipwreck" feeling I got from it.  I wanted a darker color so I created the bodice from a brown brushed satin and lined in ecru cotton that I fitted to my Integrity AvantGuards Androgyny model and created the skirt of the dress out of a lace panel in shades of brown, burgundy, gold and black that was gathered and sewn to the outside of the bodice.  The lace panel was deconstructed by burning away the netting that held the embroidery work together, so the fabric has a weathered, wispy appearance.  Arm gauntlets were created by sewing strips of this lace to "tubular sleeves" and then tying around the arms leaving tendrils of fabric dangling.  A lace shoulder strap ends in a two layer pouf at the shoulder and drapes across the front of the gown to the opposite side and is formed to complement the Superfrock wig I had chosen for my model to wear.  A simple rectangular scarf that was also burned was wrapped around the head as a mask.  The mask fits under the wig nicely and also makes a striking pose without the wig. 

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Challenge Four

For this challenge, I started with a tan embossed cotton v-neck bodysuit.  A double ruffle was hand sewn around the entire neck and front opening.  The extra long sleeves were finished in tighter snap cuffs that feature brown bead "buttons" along the opening.  A cotton blend snake print full skirt, fully lined in ecru cotton, features a fitted high waist and completes the background of this outfit.  A tan pleather wide belt features double buckled accent straps in the front for interest.  A brown sueded velvet short bolero coat, that has been fully lined in ecru cotton, features tan pleather accents at the front opening and is further embellished with silver brads.  The back has been darted for a smooth fit. 

A statement necklace has been created by doubling a strand of beads, in browns, golds, and green, and threading a silver link bracelet to create the closure.  Single drop earrings and a matching dangle bracelet is also worn.  The hard cap wig was created by me with spiral curls in shades of blonde.  The shoes are from Sherry Fashion Shoes. The model is AvantGuards Androgyny.

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Challenge Five

Ellowyne Wilde Goes Steampunk

Ellowyne models her steampunk inspired white sheer crinkle poly-blend bodysuit which features a deep v-cut front that is accented with a mini brown and gold loop trim that has been laced using golden silk floss. Her full skirt has a fitted waist of camel sueded cotton and a body of burgundy sueded cotton. Between these two layers is a row of ecru cotton crochet lace with cotton fringe that peeks out in places in several pictures. Underneath the skirt there are sewn snaps to which the corset straps attach to pull up the front of the skirt to show off her pretty black tulle and black lace slip.  The black leather corset features mock "buckles" across the front and a grommeted lace up back.  The leather strap that attach to the skirt have silver slide buckles attached.  In steampunk style a waist chain has been added to the corset and feature two dangle charms. The camel colored sueded cotton bolero jacket is lined in ecru cotton and features military pleather accents at the front sides with silver studs attached and cuffed sleeves that have the same accent trim as the shirt around the cuffs and neckline.  Burgundy pleather spats feature matching trim and have velcro closures.  Ivory stockings with lace hem peek out over the top of the spats. Her crowning glory is a burgundy sueded cotton top hat with black leather hat band, black fluffy feathers, tulle bow and probably the most easily recognizable steampunk feature, a pair of goggles that feature acrylic lenses, copper hammered rims and a burgundy pleather band that has silver slide buckles on the sides.  The Rims have been adorned with many watch gears, turns and workings from my collection.

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Challenge Six

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