The Goddess Project: Nemesis

Hello and good evening!

As some of you may know, I am a Nocturne Girl for Nocturne Magazine. Early this year we shot the Goddess Project – each Nocturne Girl representing a goddess in a shoot destined for Issue Five of the magazine.

I chose to depict Nemesis.

Since Issue Five has now been released in all its obscure, artistic splendour, I can now share my photos with you!

Vengeful and remorseless, Nemesis was a Greek goddess. As the spirit of divine retribution she balanced the happiness and sadness of men, and punished those guilty of  hubris. Derived from the Greek word ‘nemein’ , her name means ‘to give what is due’. A chilling thought for those who had offended the gods….

The idea for my photo set was to depict the goddess is a modern time, holding onto her old ways. In a time when natural disasters are affecting so many it seemed appropriate to choose a coastal urban location.

When designing the gown for Nemesis I wanted something fluid and dramatic, with Grecian references in the styling. Heavy jewellery was a must, and MUA extraordinaire Pearl DuNasemant did an incredible job of working chains and hair extensions into a goddess-like updo, tousled from centuries of smiting! Visit the Cog & Compass Facebook page to see some preliminary sketches.

Like most of my photo shoots, I couldn’t have pulled it off without my mum Dianne and my Everpatient Husband James, especially seeing as my arm had just come out of a ROM brace!
I really do appreciate the late night cups of tea, taxi services and putting up with my fabric all over the house haha. Behind every creative person is a very patient person with a broom and a reality check!

All photos are by Meagan Kerr Photography. Meagan is great to work with, really down to earth (and she’ll wait while I eat my chocolate bars)!

Visit the gorgeous new Nocturne Magazine website to view the Goddess Project in it’s entirety. (May as well grab a digital copy of the magazine while you’re there, it’s super affordable!).

 

 

Nocturne Magazine Goes Digital!

I’m really excited about the new digital format for Nocturne Magazine! We’ve been working on some excellent interviews and articles I know you’ll love, as well as some truly lush photoshoots.

“Nocturne Magazine presents the finest collections of obscurities for purveyors of the enigmatic!

For those who desperately crave some kind of authenticity. For those dissatisfied by the banality of consumerist culture. The Nocturne Guild, with its unorthodox band of investigators, unearths arcane knowledge, images of the sublime and the surreal, curiosities and the forbidden.

Religion has not given us the answers we seek; science has left us wanting.
Perhaps it is within the Arts that we will find a deeper connection? Perhaps through an exploration of the mythical, the taboo and the obscure, we can awake in ourselves that which slumbers?

Perhaps we can suspend disbelief and become curious again…”

 

While the new, revamped, and extra intriguing Nocturne issue five has yet to be released, the digital edition of issue three is available to view for free, and issue four is only $10 NZD on the Nocturne website!

 

The Raven Mistress; Couture Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe

So often my designs are inspired by words. A paragraph, a single sentence, the shortest heartfelt lyric. Left to stew in my mind these can blossom into a concept or character, just waiting to be tweaked and evolved by pencil on paper.

My favourite creation was one such idea, inspired by Edgar Allen Poe’s masterpiece ‘The Raven‘ . Verses seven and eight in particluar…

“Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door -
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door -
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
`Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,’ I said, `art sure no craven.
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore -
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!’
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’”

The description of the raven as stately and beguiling lead me on a path. Were the ravens intentions good or ill? Was it simply the puppet of someone behind the scenes, hoping to drive Poe to madness?

After tons of research and development, these questions lead to “The Raven Mistress”. This gown is a dark, dramatic representation of Poe’s Raven, and its ability to hide its true nature and intentions behind a beguiling facade. I explored themes including the power and decadence of high social status and manipulation through beauty.

One of the mood boards I created during the design process.

 
I sketched pages and pages of concepts before the final design was developed.

The Raven Mistress is a gown of raw black silk, overlayed with fine net. I sewed much of the gown by hand, using couture construction techniques. Even the huge hemline was handsewn (and what an undertaking that was!).

The velvet bodice is embellished with hand woven beaded feathers. I crafted each of these to a specific size and combination of white, silver and black Japanese glass beads to create the gradient of colour through the bodice, before individually sewing them in place. Hundreds  of hours went into this process, leaving me almost as mad as Poe by the end!

More net flows elegantly from the shoulders, blending with the overlay of the gown to create layers of shifting black over the shine and texture of the silk. Long strands of faceted glass beads loop to the wrists and down the gowns train, creating a stylised Raven wings and tail.

 

 

 

 

Words can lead to things we never imagined, so go forth my friends, and read! ( I’m not suggesting you become obsessed and dedicate a few months of your life to one dress, but a smaller project could be just as enjoyable, and somewhat better for your health.)

If you’d like to explore more of Poe’s work this website is very helpful, even providing a list of Edgar’s more uncommon vocabulary with definitions.

 

 

 

 

 

Steampunk Wedding for The Gothic Wedding Planner

So a wee while ago my friend Steff from the Gothic Wedding Planner sent out the call for a team.

A team so imaginative, so awesome, and so darn clever that they could organise, style, stage and shoot a steampunk wedding on a realistic budget .

I was part of that team.

This is our shoot….

My role in this whimsical venture was as a Stylist (making sure people looked dapper and helping the Artistic Director Andrea arrange the picnic in an appropriately charming manner). The venue was the lovely historic Pumphouse in Takapuna, New Zealand.

I also designed a beautiful custom steampunk ring pillow, which you can covet over here.

Visit the Steff at Gothic Wedding Planner blog to sigh over more amazing photos and check out the team!
(There’s also a luscious video on it’s way, I’ll share it when it’s officially released!)

 

Wisdom Jewellery and Couture Collars

Hello there!

Summer seems to have finally arrived in New Zealand, so I’m making the most of the sunshine and getting on top of our mounting pile of washing!

While I wait for the next load to finish I’ll get you up to date on what’s been cooking at Cog & Compass!!

I’ve been adding to the Wisdom Jewellery collection with some new necklaces. Spooky yet refined these designs feature hand sculpted molars and bones.

I’ve also been working on a range of collars. These will be part of the upcoming Victorian Guilt collection.

Inspired by the opulence of 18th century fashion, 19th Century couture and tales of the debauchery or downfall of the wealthy (such as The Masque of the Red Death by E.A Poe), these one of a kind choker style collars combine rich silks and brocades with hand sculpted elements, vintage embellishments and beadwork.

The Prospero Collar

Silk collar with vintage lace and pearl embellishment

I’ll leave you to ponder the symbolism of wisdom teeth and read some Edgar A Poe. I’m off to bake some feijoa muffins for the Ever Patient Husband.

 

Shoes That Make My Feet Happy – Day Twelve

Hello! Welcome to day twelve of my gloriously grand shoe collection. Today’s shoes are knee high tartan platform boots, featuring contrast toes, heels and piping.

As you may have noticed from previous posts I’m somewhat tartan obsessed.

Tartan platform boots with contrast toe and heel

 I love everything about tartan, the colours, the patterns, its use in historical and modern contexts. I dream of Vivienne Westwood‘s Anglomania bridal gown and plaid fantasies by Alexander McQueen. But most of all, I love tartan in red.

Works by Alexander McQueen

That’s really all I need to say about these boots. They’re tartan. They’re red. The platforms elevate me above my usual non-height of five foot three. What more can a girl ask for?

I’m willing to risk the dreaded sole separation that always seems to happen with platforms. The soles gradually come unstuck when they’re too thick to bend with your foot as you walk. I accept that I’ll be dizzily reattaching the soles with ados glue after a long night out.  These babies are worth the hassle.

Currently I love wearing these with a complete tartan ensemble – tartan dress, tartan jewellery, tartan handbag and tartan boots! For a look less likely to explode peoples brains I’ll rock them out with jeans and a singlet. Tights and a miniskirt would complete a more recognisable modern punk look.

I have to say I’m amazed (and flattered) by how many of you read these little shoe posts! Shoes can say a lot about a person, and I’d love to see your favourite pair – send me a photo on the facebook page or twitter, or leave a comment right here… maybe a post on everyone else’s favourite footwear is in order?

 

More Tartan Than The Average Body Can Handle…

…That’s what I wore today for my photoshoot with Jocelen Janon.

The shoot was for his Alt. Portrait project, capturing members of the alternative community here in New Zealand – first in ‘everyday’ clothes and then in their alternative style or persona. These images may soon become an exhibition displaying the variety and depth of our alternative crowd.

I love tartan, Harajuku style and the dollish innocence and costume of lolita and EGL fashion. With that in mind I wore things that make me happy – a tartan dress, tartan boots, a tartan bag and tartan jewellery. More tartan most people would ever wear (or own) !

Jocelen was lovely to work with, displaying patience, humour and giving very helpful direction. Isis Graywood did a fantastic job of my makeup (She’s also a very talented painter) , and Pearl Dunasement was kind enough to lend me her wig so we didn’t have to do battle with my hair!

Here’s a sneaky teaser image from today…

Photo by Jocelen Janon, Makeup by Isis Graywood.

For more information on Jocelen Janon and his Alt. Portrait project please visit his facebook page or blog.

 

Just Hanging Out

Voodoo Man No.12

 

Blessed Be the Voodoo Man

Toy Jesus wasn't using that arm anyway.

Voodoo Man No. 4

 

Delicious Decor for the Unconventional Home

Good day!

With Halloween drawing closer I’ve had spooky creations on the brain.

When I’m creating accessories, one of my big inspirations is making creepy things cute and cute things creepy. Last week there were frozen tentacles at the asian grocer.

Creepy? Yes.

Cute? … not so much.

But there was potential. The weird suckers, the pretty curling shapes, I can work with that. So I did. Adding a splash of anime inspiration and a candy colour scheme resulted in some sweet squidy earrings.

But that wasn’t enough. I’ve gone cephalopod crazy. So I’m making this…

A creepy cute tentacle candy jar!

I love glass jars and bottles, especially pretty Victorian style ones like this.  They make such beautiful display cases and always look slightly alchemical.

I’m still deciding how many tentacles it needs. I’m thinking a few more small ones are required, so these ones are sitting in blutack until I’m happy with the arrangement. Once it’s finished this tentacley treat will be displayed in the lounge along with a selection of ghoulish goodies ( Including the tiny vial of bones in the photo).