Katrin Leblond Blog » Costumes

Costume for Cyr Wheel artist: Valerie Inertie

Katrin Leblond — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:55:23 +0000

I love making costumes. They are challenging, but they are a fun distraction from production and administration. These are some pics from a costume I made about 6 months ago for Valerie Laplante-Bilodeau, also known as Inertie. She is one of the worlds top Cyr Wheel performers and she was looking for a new version of her classic costume. She had been performing in a whitish-grey flowy pant and halter top combo. We decided to stay with the grey, but add blues and golds and lots of hand sewn svarovski crystals.

These were my materials before I started:

I wanted to use really fancy materials for this one, so I chose some actual designer materials to start off: Dolce Gabbana and Dior and Gucci textiles. Ostrich feathers and Svarovski crystals.

My goal was to make her something sexy, comfortable, textured and fabulous! I also made the headpiece with handsewn petals, lace and feathers.

http://www.inertie.ca

Snow princess make up

Erin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:23:18 +0000

Getting dressed up for the holidays is another way to get yourself in a festive mood. I love having a Christmas dress that I wear only once a year. I know it’s an extravagance but it makes the day feel extra special for me. Every two or three years I buy a new dress for my daughter to wear at holiday time too. It starts our special holiday day off with the ritual of dressing in our special dresses. Here is a fun way to finish off your special look for when you are ready to join your friends and families.

Your life is your most powerful art. See you at the boutique.

erin

For Our Ancestors….Day of The Dead Make-up

Erin — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 10:08:02 +0000

The flowers remind me of Frieda’s infamous hairdo that she defiantly wore to to represent the traditions of her people.

The Day of the dead is a traditional Mexican holiday to remember and celebrate our ancestors.

Meeeooow! Beaded Leopard Dress

Katrin Leblond — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:37:11 +0000

These are more pictures from the Jean Paul Gaultier show at the MMFA.

This dress struck me because it contains no animal skin at all. It is a masterpiece of beadwork. The claws are rhinestones. So awesome.

Amazing Dress made from Maple Keys and Lupins

Katrin Leblond — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 13:15:26 +0000

This is the art of Nicole Dextras.

It is from a group of work called Weedrobes:

“New addition to the Weedrobes Collection: The Maple Flapper Dress symbolizes hope and prosperity for the new immigrant. The 1920′s was an era of liberation for women and here she is seen as a young entrepreneur fresh off the boat, with her old-world good luck charms of plants and animals.”

I think she is incredible and hugely inspiring.

Nicole Dextras website

Fall Leaves costume – one of my faves!

Katrin Leblond — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 14:40:08 +0000

This is one of my favourite costumes from last year’s Smirkus production. We stitched all the veins of each leaf mixing silk leaves that we made in the studio with fake maple leaves that i found. It took a few days of appliquee work.

One that note, the Fall collection is starting to arrive in the store. Come take a look!

Jean Paul Gaultier in Montreal – Don’t miss this show!!!

Katrin Leblond — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 21:04:16 +0000

I know it was months ago and I haven’t been posting a lot lately, but here are my pictures from the opening night of the Jean Paul Gaultier show in Montreal. It is the all time best show ever!

Go see it!

Don’t miss it!

I was very inspired and have been back to see it again since the opening night. It was so crazy that night, that invited guests had to line up for hours just to get into the Museum.

The first series of photos below were taken while Krin and I took were in the line up to get into the Museum.

Me wearing a turquoise silk bustier ($158-258) and Russian Bracelet ($12-16) and Silk chiffon scarf ($22-32).

My muse and circus super star Karin Maren Haglund wearing the Purple Bella dress ($278)

This Rosebud necklace is all gypsy and all modern ($248)

The slim fit crinoline in multi reds ($140) available in 12 different colors at Boutique Katrin Leblond 4647 blvd. St-Laurent

The Museum of Fine arts in Montreal decked out in JPG sailor stripes.

Just before we went in to see the show I bumped into Rosie Godbout. Her atelier is upstairs from mine and she is an incredible textile artist who specializes in felting and makes the most amazing winter coats.

Here we are inside the show admiring and stealing pictures on the down low.

My fave dress above and Krin’s fave below.

the famous Can Can dress was on a catwalk of moving mannekins. The installation of the show is superb and very fresh.

I leave you with this picture of the most incredible shoe collage: heels inside wedge sandals! WOW!

Artforms in Nature – Series 6 – Faberge eggs

Katrin Leblond — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 10:00:17 +0000

This is the last of my Artforms in Nature posts. I have really paid a tribute to artist and naturalist Ernst Haeckel. I leave you with a beautiful series of full colour plates showcasing larger lifeforms. Some might not seem so beautiful at first (the frogs!!!), but I insist, there is inspiration there for someone.

The orchids are just incredible. I made a series of dresses once for the Cirque du Soleil based on orchids. Below are two dresses by Michelle Ferranti that served as my inspiration for that project.

Here are the frogs!! Ha ha! They are so hideous and yet i have nothing against frogs. Actually, I think frogs are pretty important and I own a pair of little gold frog stud earrings that are quite delightful. We all loved Kermit the frog. Below I have added the image of a dress by John Galliano that seems kind of froggy to me.

This plate is classic Faberge egg inspiration. It is just so perferct. Look at he symmetry and ornament and texture.

You don’t need to be a genius to be an artist. You just need to take the time to do it. A lot of the work that I do is detail oriented and time consuming. Other designers look at my work and think I’m crazy to be cutting out shapes, making stencils and drawing with thread. But to me, it’s just what I do. Come see the new Spring 2011 collection at the boutique. I have been adding new styles every week.

Kat

Forest fairy make-up tutorial

Katrin Leblond — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 10:54:42 +0000

Artforms in Nature – Series 4 – Corals in home decor and squid scarf

Katrin Leblond — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:00:42 +0000

How many of you have sea shells in your bathroom? I know I do. I even have starfish spray painted silver and driftwood that I lugged home from vacation. This post explores the connection between Nature, as illustrated by the drawings of Ernst Haeckel, and our desire to surround ourselves with objects from the ocean.

Below are some amazing contemporary furniture designs by a company called ARKTURA. I am totally smitten with the lines and shadows that these pieces cast. I am also a fan of the colour options they provide…what not just black and chrome?, but also plum, red and aqua…how do I choose?

a little bit of the real thing in pink and purple and red ( may favourite colours)…

…and a little bit of happy homemaker throwing an ocean themed dinner party!

photo by Jeffrey N Jeffords

Below are the sqid pages. mmm, yum!

We have this pin in the store. It is by an American artist called MamasLittleBabies.

Now this tops it all for me. Michelle McCoskey has crochet this squid scarf. I can’t say that I would wear it, but i was thrilled when I found theses images online and I hope you enjoy the ridiculousness and effort that went into making this masterpiece of crafty kitsch!

New costume for Danièle Béchard artiste cirque

Katrin Leblond — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:00:41 +0000

This is now in my top two favourite costumes of all times. It was comissioned for hoola hoop artist Danièle Béchard. She was a delight to design for and I was very inspired when I was making this little number. She wanted a skirt that she could roll her hoops up over without getting caught in it. She needed it to be washable, durable and yet still look luxurious and sexy. The initial challenge was convincing her to add a contrast colour outside of the red/black colour palette that we had decided upon. I knew that we would need blues and cools to make the red pop (pink was not an option for Daniele…she hates it) and so all of the stitching and embellishments are done with turquoise, blue, lavender and white for highlights. There is a lace up in the back that we cannot see in these pictures.

New at the Boutique

Erin — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:19:43 +0000

More bibis!

WAWA ticket giveaway!!!! Woohooo!

Katrin Leblond — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 22:05:05 +0000

I have many pairs of WAWA tickets for you ladies.

The show is February 26th, 8pm

Here’s what you do to enter the draw:

1. Leave a comment below this post with your e-mail and phone number

2. Subscribe to this blog

3. Become a friend of Katrin Leblond Design on Facebook

http://www.thewawashow.com/

Artforms in Nature – Series 2 – Alexander McQueen Headpieces

Katrin Leblond — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 11:00:24 +0000

Here is my take-two on the analyses of how artists are influenced by Nature. Sometimes we really stretch the truth, but sometimes the source of our inspiration is very close indeed. I have included two other artists in this series: Alexander McQueen (17 March 1969 – 11 February 2010) and Karl Blossfeldt (June 13, 1865 – December 9, 1932). McQueen, who died last year, was one of the best headpiece designers of all time. Below, I have included photos that seem to be directly influenced by the shapes and forms in Haeckels prints.

This is from McQueens SS 2008 collection.

I mean, really? Is this not totally crazy awesome to see how closely linked all creativity is! We are all drinking from the same creative well!

Also SS2008 McQueen

These three images really need to all be looked at together. Above we have shapes that look to me like armour, shields and Samurai headpieces. Below we have another McQueen headpiece from his last collection FW 2011. Then below that, I have inserted three photos from early nature photographer Karl Blossfeldt. The references are stunning!

German photographer Karl Blossfeldt (June 13, 1865 – December 9, 1932) worked in Berlin and is best known for his close-up photographs of plants. It is documented that he was influenced by the the illustrations of Ernst Haeckel as a scientist and artist.

I get to costume people I love. Presenting: Krin Maren Haglund

Katrin Leblond — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 17:54:06 +0000

This is the fabulous Karin Maren Haglund: circus performer, fashion show artistic director, wife, mother and great friend.

I love that I get to make her costumes. I feel honoured that she chooses me time and time again as her costume designer. This was our newest collaboration. It ‘s for her wheel act.

It highlights her fantastically toned sexy-mama body and swooshes when she moves. The body suit is a one piece with gaucho wing legs. The back and straps are a-symmetrical with crisscrossing lines, ruffles and an amazing beaded collar piece that I saved from one of my grandmothers old Parisian haute-couture dresses. I am very proud of this creation.

Here are some casual pictures that she took backstage posing and looking adorable. Room #6.

Krin on tour with her little munchkin circus child Ole.

Not only does she blow me away with her talent and showmanship, her amazing ability to entertain, but she is a great role model for how to have a kid and still be yourself.

Love of love to all the circus families that just do it! -Kat

Lady Gaga – her best dresses of the red carpet

Katrin Leblond — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:00:28 +0000

Here she is: the Lady!

Nowadays women don’t get to be a queen or a princess or a duchess or a lady anymore. Well, Lady Gaga says Bah! to that idea.

Whether you love her or not, she is awesomely bold and honours couture by wearing the runway pieces that no-one else dares to wear.

The origami dresses are incredible and she wore three of them ( so she must really like it). They are by designer Thierry Mugler.

And here we have the bubble dress by designer Hussein Chalayan. It seems there is debate whether or not she is sporting a real or a knock off of this dress. Either way, she is not sitting down.

This is the best of all. It is by Armani and it reminds me of the good witch in the Wizard of Oz, just in the future. She looks incredible! Not to mention, she is carrying a starburst accessory that is not a wand, not a purse, not really anything …and she is pulling it off. Her hair is barbie fabulous. Her shoes, oh my goddess, her shoes become her tights which go all the way up her leg in a thin line of sparkles.

Rocking Alexander McQueen! Here we get a glimpse of the lady that she is. She is not the kermit the frog wearing pop star. She is not wearing the meat dress. She is all woman. She is a lady.

I say this to YOU now: Wear it. Dare to buy and wear the couture pieces that designers create. When that occasion pops up and you need to get media coverage, what you wear will make a difference!

Katrin

Tits and Glitz

Katrin Leblond — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 18:37:30 +0000

My friend Rebekah used to dance in the tits and glitz shows of Montreal past. They wore pasties and sparkles and entertained at the casinos and cabarets. These images are not from Montreal, however, they are all vintage costume post cards from shows in Paris. I don’t know when these images date from, but am curious if anyone feels like they do.

The star lady. I imagine that headpiece is covered in rows of sequins and beads. I love the commitment to stars everywhere, on her dress and even her shawl is made from pieced star shapes joined at the points.

This lady is also adorned in a star. She wears it as her bikini bottom. She has bug like wings, or leaves at her sides. She is seen again a few images farther down from behind. Her headpieces is very princess Leah and her bikini top reminds me of the points on a circus tent.

Garlands, garlands…apparently that is all one needed to look cute on stage.

The skirt bustle on this lady is just great. More ruffles, more frills and more volume! yeah!

Come play dress up! COME TO MY STORE!

Winter wedding style and glam rock hoop costume

Katrin Leblond — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:42:50 +0000

This was the first wedding dress I ever made! And it’s red! It was for the late December wedding of my dear friend Djahane and she wanted to feel like a snow queen. I embroidered fluffy stars swirling around a large white mohair tree. The ivory velvet jacket had red silk roses on the front.

I also made the groom’s tie, seven little boy bow-ties and two red sashes for the flower girls. I love the contrast between the blue shirts and the red ties!

Below is the fabulous Ali Luminescent. She is a multi-skilled performance artist and circus performer. She is wearing the blue Jolly top from Spring 2010 in this shot. I think the whole composition of the shot is great!

http://www.alischmitz.com

Katrin Leblond Jester Costums Go to Hong Kong

Katrin Leblond — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:45:18 +0000

Recently, I got a call from two Sirkus Smirkus graduates who were looking for some new costumes. They are a young and ambitious duo consisting of: Lindsay Culbert-Olds and Kia-Melinda Eastman. Though I am in design mode for Spring 2011, I felt like this would be a fun little interruption. The girls got a corporate gig in Hong Kong doing an aerial number at a mall. Well, why not?

Here is the sketch I proposed for their Jester costumes. I coloured them according to the circus colours: purple, green and silver. They were made at my studio by myself and my design team’s most talented Katharina!

Here are the girls at their first fitting: posing and looking cute! Imagine them with white face paint and black diamonds over their eyes and purple rhinestones.

the most artistically challenging part of this gig was adding the mall’s logo. It was not part of my original design. Below You can see the logo printout next to the textile logo I made for the girls’ costumes.

This photo I got from Kia. I think they are happy with their costumes.

just added these pics from the show in Hong Kong. Looking good!

The WAWA show – costumes by Katrin Leblond

Katrin Leblond — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:00:45 +0000

I was very excited last month when I got a preliminary phone call inviting me a to be apart of this years WAWA (an acronym for: We Are Women Artists). I got to dress the femme fatale herself…drumroll please…Amanda Mabro! The contact was made when Krin, my fashion show artistic director and circus star in her own right, was invited to hostess the event. We did the press photos at the store and tickets will be available at boutique Katrin Leblond soon.

This is one of my all time favouritqe costumes. I made this for Krin’s wheel act and it is made with entirely designer silks including 10cm of Dior.

Here are the digs on WAWA:

Amanda Mabro, The WAWA Show
February 26, 8 p.m., $25, Gesù — Centre de créativité

Fresh off the heels of her outstanding performances at the 2008 and 2010 Montreal Jazz Festival and OSHEAGA music festival, musical visionary & vocalist Amanda Mabro brings you “The WAWA Show!” An acronym for “We Are Women Artists”, Mabro’s main inspiration for the event is fostering community among female artists internationally. Now in its 6th edition, WAWA is pleased to be part of the MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE festival delighting the ears, eyes, hearts and minds of festival goers; witness the powerful pipes and soul-pop sounds of Amanda Mabro herself, the soaring gypsy voice of Cirque de Soleil singer Mirjana Milovanovic, the achingly beautiful harmonies of 2010 Juno winners The Goodlovelies, the colorful and classy couture of Katrin Leblond, the amazing concert photography of Andree Anne Handfield, and the incredibly entertaining hosts & circus artists Krin Haglund and Andreane Leclerc.

http://www.thewawashow.com