So, I read about this on another blog...

Anyway, so I came across this other blog today, with this lady who was considering dressing victorian for a year. Now I almost (literally) jumped for joy. I would totally join up, except for the fact that I have a few hinderances that would prevent me from doing so. I shall list them here:
1. I'm 16. I have s high school to attend, on an almost-daily basis. I find that, if I were to wear victorian clothes, I would attract (possibley unwanted) attention. Also, it makes for considerably difficult navigation of halls, stairs, etc. Which brings me to...
2. I'm a guy. I can't wear my pretty dresses, unless I want to get beat up. I mean really, why are people such jerks? Gosh.
3. The impracticality of the clothing is a drawback. Even menswear occasionally had to be assisted by the use of a corset, and my daily activities (band, marching band) require extensive use of the lungs.
4. I love SO MANY of the victorian eras, its not even funny. I enjoy the simple but elegant dresses of the (actually pre-victorian) regency era, I find the slightly more conical dresses of the 1820's quite quaint and cute, and the full flaring skirts of the 1830's thouroughly amuse me. The hoop-skirt dresses of the 1860's make me giggle with the way they swish back and forth. And the natural form era? That's also pretty awesome. Even the 1890's were pretty cool! And last but not least, I love Love LOVE the full-skirted bustle dresses of the earlier 1870's. So, yeah. I like a LOT of styles.
5. Going with the many styles, I would need a LOT of dresses to fully satisfy my victorian dress-up aspirations.
     First of all, I'd need at least two, of maybe even three, different types of corsets. Two or more different chemises. Many, many petticoats (Think like this. 1830's, 3+. 1860's, 1-2. 1870's, 2-3. 1890's, 2.) So a lot. Then, supporting undergarments. A corded underskirt for the romantic era. And a starched one too (also usable for 1820's). A hoopskirt for the 1860's. A sizable bustle, for the 1870's. A bustle pad, for the natural form era, and the 1890's. A larger, separate bustle for the 1830's. Maybe even slevve-hoops for the 1830's. 3+ pairs of drawers and/or pantalettes. Maybe corset covers. And insulation. I'd not only need the light cotton skirts for the other eras, but also woolen ones for winter. And also in winter, I'd need more layers than before. so, automatically, that's already twice the skirts. Also, I'd need at least two nightgowns. NOt to mention stockings, slippers, and other frilly things. And then ALL THAT concludes the unmentionables.
     Then, on to the dresses. Well, for starters, I'd need at least one day-dress from each time period so automatically, that's at least 7 dresses. Not to mention, if I get more ideas (which will happen, trust me,) then that's more dresses. Then, we move on to slightly more formal dresses. So, add 7 more dresses. And then, I haven't even started with ball gowns. I KNOW that I have at least two ideas for each period, so then that's a whopping 14 dresses. So, in conclusion, there are at least 28 dresses in store for my victorian wardrobe.
     Now for outerwear. The thin and skimpy dresses of the regency call for the necessity of a shawl, no matter the weather, because of... yeah. In addition, I'd need some sort of coat (quilted, to be period accurate) for the colder months. Thankfully, the 1820's didn't change too much outerwear-wise. Then, as we move on to the 1830's, there are pelisses and mantles, to cover up your shoulders and arms. The 1860's featured cloaks that reach mid-skirt, so that's another article to the list.  In the 1870's, wraps became the norm, and they often matched well with the bustle style. I don't even know about the natural form era. And the 1890's? Long, double-breasted coats.
     As we finish outerwear, let us move on to footwear. I'd need a pair each of black and white slippers, for Regency-1830's. In addition, a pair or two of simple lace-up boots wouldn't hurt. Then, from the 1860's on, pumps that match dresses become a necessity. And in the least, once again, a pair of white and black pumps each as well.
     That section was quick, but this one might very well be the longest. We're going to talk about accesories. For this seciton I think it to be best to discuss the era's and required accesories. To start, in the regency era, a reticule was a necessity. Due to the slim silhouette, pockets fell out of favor. In addition to the reticule, one would need a handkerchief, a fan, and without a doubt, a matching shawl. In the 1820's, The requirements were about the same, but styles move with the times! In the Romantic Era, Reticules wre option, due to the resurgence of the pocket. Then, in the 1860's, Purses came back into favor, seeing as pockets in the skirt were impractical to attempt reaching for. In the 1870's, hankies, and fans were all well and good, but ladies during daytime strolls would not be seen without parasols. This continues throughout the century. Then there's the addition of jewelry. In the least, a simple pearl necklace is necessary, but a variety of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and even waist chains are ideal. Also, what would one be without gloves? A scandal in the least. And there's a neccesity for a great many kinds, as well. Long short, blakc, white, even pink could be needed. In addition to all these things, one of the modern times must keep additional items on their person, such as chapstick (a life-saver), eye-drops (another life-saver), cellular phone, emergency funds, hairpins, comb, and/or makeup. and always, a camera for your reenacting. Then, not to mention a tiny thread and needle, just in case a tear in your garment should appear. So, yeah. A LOT of accesories go into victorian dressing.
     Finally, hats. There's a necessity of linen caps for early years, in addition to a variety of bonnets, with many possibilities for ribbons, flowers, fake fruit and pretend birds. Then, as we move on to the 1860's, bonnets become less decorated outside, and more on the inner brim. Then, in the 1870's, smaller bonnets and feathery hats make an appearance. And in the 90's, large , wide brimmed straw hats take the scene, all while covered in flowers, ribbons, and feathers galore.
So there you have it. A treatise on my entire wardrobe for being victorian for a year. One would be surprised to know that this large chunk of text was bullet point five on my list of problems with dressing victorian. Yup.

So, apparently "ASAP" means in a month and a half...

Well, a lot has happened since my last post. (August 6, at least a month ago)
I've got five more drawings to share and ideas also.
Well, first, the moment of truth.
What will the infatuated artist look like?
Well, allow me to show you.
Drumroll please,

Tada!! Here he is, the obsessed artist, chasing after the beautiful lady who he loves:

He sees her at the ball, but before he gets a chance to meet her, the waltz begins and he is paired with one, then the other, of two unfortunate ladies:

Unfortunately, with his luck, he has had the joy of these two women's dancing, while his eye's apple recieves quite a pair of handsome young men:

So that's that. There are (a few of) the characters who I intend to include in my video! Yay!

I'm a liar.

Yup. That's what I am.
Because its already been two days and I haven't uploaded the artist. >:(
But hey, I'll have this up, plus more, asap. So don't worry.
Well, I guess I'll go over a short (I emphasize SHORT)
run-through of my video/story.

1. Artist is at ball
2. Artist is thrust into waltz, but is stuck with a less-than comely partner
3. Partner switch to an appaling (by their standards) partner
4. Finally, switch to his love,
5. But then, another switch occurs.
6. Etc... Until he's with his love again.
7. They leave to the balcony
8. They re-enter the ballroom
9. The waltz picks up, leaving the artist in a dizzying swirl or dancers, thus separating him from his love.
10. The waltz ends with a last partner switch, and he ends with his love in his arms.

Projet, numero un: Symphonie Fantastique!

So, here's the intro to my first project!
I have fallen in love with the second movement of Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique: Un Bal.
The summary of the symphony is basically this:

1. Composer meets girl
2. Composer falls in love with girl
3. Composer is rejected by girl
4. Composer attempts suicide via opium
5. Composer falls into a deep sleep. (end mvt. 1)
6. Composer is (dreaming that he is) at a ball
7. Girl is also at ball
8. Composer and girl dance, composer is happy (end mvt. 2)
9. Composer goes to countryside
10. Composer thinks of girl
11. Composer worries that she might cheat
12. Composer kills girl (end mvt. 3)
13. Composer is convicted of murder
14. Composer is sentenced to death
15. Composer loses his head (literally... via guillotine... end mvt. 4)
16. Composer is a ghost, and watches his funeral.
17. GHOSTS and GOBLINS show up and start a bonfire on his funeral pyre.
18. They do an evil jig, and the girl is magically alive and also dancing the evil jig around the bonpyre.
19. Composer wakes up in horror, to find that both he and the girl are alive, and not dancing evil jigs around bonpyres. (end mvt. 5)

So, yeah. Great piece of music, and if you're curious, here's a youtube link and the actual program notes from the symphony.
Movement II: Un Bal.
The artist finds himself in the most diverse situations in life, in the tumult of a festive orgy, in the peaceful contemplation of the beautiful sights of nature, yet everywhere, whether in town or in the countryside, the beloved image keeps haunting him and throws his spirit into confusion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GfE-EEwm-Y
So... yeah. ON TO MY IDEA!
My idea, is to make a flash-animated video ofthe valse movement of symphonie fantastique, complete with period clothing, period instruments, a grand ballroom, and a chandelier to boot! I want to focus on the main character, the artist, and his failures/successes with his love. I've got concept art of the characters in mind, but for now, you guys only get to see 'the love':

Yes, I drew her myself. :) So, She's dressed in a lovely gown inspired by an 1830's fashion plate, but since it was in black and white on the fashion plate, I gave it my own lovely coloring ideas. :P So... yeah! It's awesome, and I'll have the artist up tomorrow. ;)

Hello, Blogging World!

Well Hello, there! My name is Kiyoshi or Kiyotea on this here blog, and I'm just starting out! So, basically, I will be posting stuff about my various interests, ranging from music, to (victorian) fashion, to anime!
I'll likely be posting things regarding projects that stem from these interests, seeing as the afore-mentioned things often have projects that associate with them.
So, a little bit about me:

1. I'm 16, and a junior in high school
2. I like victorian clothing/fashion/culture
3. I like dressing up
4. I like to sew
5. I like to draw
6. I like japanese traditional clothing and culture
7. I like music, mainly classical.
8. I like to play the clarinet.
9. I (would) like to (know how to) dance (in a ballroom setting)
10. I like tea!

So, there's ten things you now know about me! I suppose That's a sufficient intro to my first blog post, so... yeah!
I already have an idea for my first project to blog about, so I'll have one more post up within the hour!