My first Red Carpet at Costume College!
How did I wind up in this line?!
After five years of watching, this year I jumped in, though not voluntarily: Every year we go down early to catch a good spot, take photos and see the costume parade. This year, I had planned a costume, but didn't finish it in time.
After five years of watching, this year I jumped in, though not voluntarily: Every year we go down early to catch a good spot, take photos and see the costume parade. This year, I had planned a costume, but didn't finish it in time.
Studio Cat, 'helping' me with my costume, which, partly thanks to all her help, was unfinished in time for CoCo.
I decided to bring my Dia de los Muertos outfit instead, for the night of the Red Carpet, but I was definitely not planning on walking; I just wanted to watch.
Because painting my face took longer than I had planned, we were late to arrive, and it was crowded. We were trying to make our way to the end, where we could catch the best shots; there was a bottleneck at a narrow part of the hall, and somehow I got stuck in the line --definitely not on purpose-- and then I couldn't get out; I was surrounded on all sides by a fast-moving river of crinoline skirts, poufy sleeves, and fantastic wigs.
I was caught between THIS:
I decided to bring my Dia de los Muertos outfit instead, for the night of the Red Carpet, but I was definitely not planning on walking; I just wanted to watch.
Because painting my face took longer than I had planned, we were late to arrive, and it was crowded. We were trying to make our way to the end, where we could catch the best shots; there was a bottleneck at a narrow part of the hall, and somehow I got stuck in the line --definitely not on purpose-- and then I couldn't get out; I was surrounded on all sides by a fast-moving river of crinoline skirts, poufy sleeves, and fantastic wigs.
I was caught between THIS:
And THIS:
I realized that, if I wanted to make a run for it, I'd have to push past someone's beautiful costume and possibly smudge it with my face paint. I was trapped. And where was Todd? He'd escaped ... and he was laughing his ass off, at me. Cameras were snapping everywhere and people were asking me questions about my paint and I realized with horror that I was caught, and in line with some of the most amazing costumes in the room --and I'm wearing a nine dollar dress from Ross.
Coming out of the bottleneck in the hall and realizing, with horror, that I am in the line.
As soon as I could escape, I did. I doubled back to a safe corner where I wouldn't have to worry about getting paint on anyone, and fortunately ran into a few friends, who laughed at my discomfiture, and one of them told me that nobody could see me blushing, because I was wearing paint. Good point.
As soon as I could escape, I did. I doubled back to a safe corner where I wouldn't have to worry about getting paint on anyone, and fortunately ran into a few friends, who laughed at my discomfiture, and one of them told me that nobody could see me blushing, because I was wearing paint. Good point.
With Patty at the Red Carpet; her costume is divine!
This experience was especially intimidating to me, because it was the best Red Carpet I've ever seen at CoCo ... or anywhere else, for that matter. I must not have been the only one who thought so, because not long after CoCo was over, one of our more well-known members, Jennifer Rosbrugh, posted this comment on facebook:
"With all the chatter about Costume College & the great weekend we just had, I want to point out that this event is for EVERYONE -beginner & experienced alike. Seems CoCo is producing more & more fabulous hall costumes that can be quite intimidating even for us who've been around the block for years. This was not always the case. The event is for education and sharing, not trying to one-up another costumer. So as you make plans to come in 2014, remember you are very welcome -no matter what your skill level. More info: http://costumecollege.net/ ."
I really appreciated Jennifer's posting that. The parade of awesome is inspiring, but can also be a bit daunting. It's nice to be reminded that we all have to begin somewhere.
This experience was especially intimidating to me, because it was the best Red Carpet I've ever seen at CoCo ... or anywhere else, for that matter. I must not have been the only one who thought so, because not long after CoCo was over, one of our more well-known members, Jennifer Rosbrugh, posted this comment on facebook:
"With all the chatter about Costume College & the great weekend we just had, I want to point out that this event is for EVERYONE -beginner & experienced alike. Seems CoCo is producing more & more fabulous hall costumes that can be quite intimidating even for us who've been around the block for years. This was not always the case. The event is for education and sharing, not trying to one-up another costumer. So as you make plans to come in 2014, remember you are very welcome -no matter what your skill level. More info: http://costumecollege.net/ ."
I really appreciated Jennifer's posting that. The parade of awesome is inspiring, but can also be a bit daunting. It's nice to be reminded that we all have to begin somewhere.
Todd and I at our first Costume College, 2007.
In spite of my feeling flustered, it was still a fantastic night:
Caught by Predators in the lobby!
Black and White ... and Red all over.
Hola, amigos!
And then, there was THIS . . .
And then, there was THIS . . .
**head explodes from too much awesome**
Because I made us late, we didn't get photos of all the costumes this year. Fortunately, CoCo has a great Flickr album posted, from that night:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/costumecollege/
There are plenty of other photo collections online as well:
http://historicalsewing.com/costume-college-2013-review
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151838632082034.1073741826.81722877033&
http://glittersweatshop.typepad.com/sassy_feet_blog/2013/08/a-celebration-of-costumers.html
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