Tribute to Anna Piaggi - The Circus Twins

Anna Piaggi, who has pass away in age 81, was a grande dame of the fashion world; noted for her electric-blue hair and scene-stealing outfits, she was sometimes described as the most eccentric dresser in Italy. Her professional life was as a journalist and stylist, principally for Vogue Italia; but Anna Piaggi’s fame also rested on her status as muse to designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and the British milliner Stephen Jones, and on her ability to upstage even the most daring of fashionistas. We can often seen her in the front row of fashion showcase, dressed in an exuberant, unique and eclectic way, and she never appearing in the same outfit more than once in public. Such was her influence and knowledge in the fashion world, Manolo Blahnik dubbed her "The world's last great authority on frocks". R.I.P Anna Piaggi, we will miss you!

Anna Maria Piaggi

(22 March 1931 – 7 August 2012)

Here is my tribute to Anna Piaggi - The Circus Twins, OOAK Deva Dolls inspired by Anna Piaggi. This tribute will also mark my last OOAK Deva Dolls, which I will be no longer creating OOAK Deva Dolls. It will be a new chapter of my dolly journey where I will be releasing my own line of 16 inches haute couture doll very soon.I am overly excited about it! So back to The Circus Twins, they are creations out of my comfort zone where vibrant colour and print to mix and match. Bubble skirts, laces blouse and of course not forgetting Anna Piaggi must wear list- the extravaganza headpieces! The make ups are also inspired by Anna Piaggi signature makeup, blue eyeshadow, red lips and cherry red cheeks.

The Circus Twins are one of a kind Deva Dolls specially designed by NiGel.ChiA which is limited to only ONE for each doll in worldwide. Both of them, Anna and Peggy have a reshaped face with higher cheek bone, more refined nose and jaw line. They come with removable head pieces and mohair, golden laces blouse, bubble skirt, golden laces tights, high heels, 2 pairs of hands (one pair with painted gloves, another pair of nude hands). I will consider them as artistic haute couture dolls, either you may like it or hate it!

 

Resort 2013 Collection

The Look Book

The Geisha Inspiration

Since the production of Memoirs of Geisha movie in 2006, Geisha have become the popular icon when we talk about Japan culture. Geisha (芸者) is traditional, female Japanese entertainer whose skills include performing various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance. The biggest industry in Japan is not shipbuilding, producing cultured pearls, or manufacturing transistor radios or cameras. It is entertainment. The term geisha literally translates to mean "entertainer". Some prostitutes refer to themselves as "geisha", but they are not. A geisha's sex and love life is usually distinct from her professional life. A successful geisha can entrance her male customers with music, dance, and conversation. "Geishas are not submissive and subservient, but in fact they are some of the most financially and emotionally successful and strongest women in Japan, and traditionally have been so. There is currently no western equivalent for a geisha—they are truly the most impeccable form of Japanese art.

The inspiration of the Geisha couture are mainly from Memoirs of Geisha as well as Christine Dior Spring 2007 couture collection featuring Japanese culture that considered as one of the most dramatic fashion show in history. I chose not to inspire by the main character in Memoirs of Geisha, ZIyi Zhang this time, but more toward Gong Li as an antagonist, Hatsumomo in the movie. Her costumes are more glamorous, sexy and darker in tone mostly with black and red colour combination. John Galliano brilliant translation  from the kimono, obis, origami and motives of Japanese culture into the high end couture collection definitely giving me not less inspiration in certain way when designing the gown too.

It is a combination of black, red and gold colour for my Geisha couture, to give a touch of glamorous but yet mysterious. The top of the dress is a translation of obis in Kimono, follow by asymmetrical gold laces and beading from the waist to the hip area. The 3D element at the left shoulder and right hips as well as a very long train adding a dramatic and couture touch to the dress. Not forgetting the hair accessories which are one of the important elements to complete the whole look.

The Galliano inspiration couture

John Galliano has been always one of my top favorite fashion designers. I adore his creative sensibilities, his dramatic touch to the couture, his extravaganza style and craziness. He had gone through a hard time back in teenage years, frequently being bullied at the London boy's grammar school due to his difference. Recalling his early days, he once admitted: "I don’t think people here understood where I was coming from." I believe his courage to be different, to be truly living as who he is; have leaded him to be a super star in fashion design world. That is what I love about him. I took the inspiration from his Spring 2011 couture collection when he was still with Christine Dior. He called it his most technically challenging collection, but the effort was rarely obvious.

The inspiration comes from this dress, which I am fascinated with the use of light and shade colour that is done by Galliano in this collection. But I have taken a chance to try out black and turquoise toning. It is a semi transparent black lace top with beading details, with turquoise above the knee length pencil skirt embellished with black flower motive laces and beading. Of course, the dress won't be complete without a tulle floor length skirt with black and turquoise shade. I have also added a laces eye mask and head dress for a more dramatic touch. Photo shoot was done in the woods, to bring out the sense of mysterious of the look. So, without further ado, let's enjoy some of my favourite shoot for this Galliano inspired couture.