NEW DRESS PEOPLE! I'd post my sketches and drafts, but my scanner's been busted for some time. One of these days I'll get that baby working again. Anyhue, all other sewing has been put on hold to make an entirely new outfit for Renfest this year. And not just any random peasant swag or court gown either- hell no. In my usual spirit of never doing anything typical, I'll be playing the Vulgarian (I'll explain)noblewoman named Katya Gutzzhoute.... a charming young woman, I assure you.

Vulgarians are an institution at MiRF that's being revived after a nearly ten-year hiatus. Basically you've got your gussied up, polite, hand-kissing court where the men are haughty yet noble and the ladies are meek yet smart. Yawn. Then you've got Vulgarians, who still get to dress as nice and gussied as GOOD!court but get to act rude, crude, lewd, and slavic. Mix together medieval Russia, a hint of Viking, Boris and Natasha from Rocky and Bullwinkle, and the Addams Family in a big Elizabethan pot with a pinch of Machiavelli and you've got the Vulgarians.

The dress itself is going to be black velveteen with a bodice-style top and shoulder rolls.... with spikes. The black's going to be accented with burgundy velveteen and the tertiary fabric is a diamond patterned jacquard in charcoal and silver- which I am currently beading the crap out of. Everything's either going to be trimmed in silver or the burgundy, since because I'm going to be used and abused with daily fight scenes. Little touches I'm including are a black leather studded neck ruff, a split away skirt panel so I can knee, kick, and show off my gams, and make-up that would make an early 90s goth stutter.

Speaking of which, if any of you have any suggestions for theatrical products that would help my make-up last longer on a hot, humid day or just plain awesome items I should pick up, give me a comment. If you can make it to the 2009 Michigan Renaissance Festival, I'd love to have visitors to see me possibly not fail miserably at asskicking.