Fashion / Bristol
Fright night fashion
With Halloween just around the corner, a few of Bristol’s most theatrical fashion creatives including Laa Woof , We Creatures and Zedhead Headwear have taken part in some seriously fun and freaky Halloween-inspired photoshoots. Featuring costume make-up inspiration from screaming sirens of the sea to bejeweled scary clowns, take a look, if you dare…
The first photoshoot features a collaboration between Laa Woof and We Creatures. Laa Woof is one of Bristol’s most fabulous festival fashion designers, creating wonderful handmade, sparkly party-wear pieces including custom catsuits, luxurious kaftans and shimmering mermaid leggings, while We Creatures create unique pieces to conjure the creature within: using found objects, they produce regal headresses, animal ears and pom-pom crowns perfect for spooktacular costumes.
We spoke to Laura Wood and Naomi Bajina about their photoshoot.
is needed now More than ever
Laa Woof X We Creatures Halloween Photoshoot 2017
How did the collaboration come about?
Laura: I was getting excited about Halloween and thought it would be fun to do a collaboration. I put a shout-out on Facebook and the dream team was formed!
Besides Halloween, was there a theme to your photoshoot?
Laura: I had readymade pieces that fell into categories, and that we played with in the shoot. The mermaids were my favourite: the sequins looks so magical.
How would you describe your design style?
Laura: Sassy, sparkly and fierce.
Naomi: Badass and beautiful, mythical armour.
Purple/green catsuit £60, alien halterneck £30, yellow and black faux fur coat £90, mermaid kimono £100, babydoll halterneck dress £30. All by Laa Woof. Headresses by We Creatures from £45-£150.
What will you be doing on Halloween?
Laura: Running around causing mischief in a last-minute, thrown-together, outrageous outfit!
Naomi: Casting curses on Tories.
Do you think Bristol embraces Halloween?
Laura: Yes definitely, a zombie walk is held every year and with so many club nights going on, there’s loads to choose from.
Naomi: That’s a yes! If it’s magical, weird and wonderful then Bristol loves it.
Photography by Phoebe Montague Warr. Models and MUA: Ruby Bird and Naomi Bajina
Where can we pick up some Laa Woof and We Creatures Halloween inspired goodies?
Laura: I currently have a party-wear collection in Rex The Concept Store at Cabot Circus. I have lots of Halloween-inspired garments to choose from. I have an Etsy shop too.
Naomi: Every day is Halloween over here! Check out my shop on Etsy
What’s next for Laa Woof and We Creatures?
Laura: I’m working on a new collection called Vulva Laa Revolution which has been inspired by female rights and strong ladies kicking ass and taking over the world. It’s in its final stages and will be shooting in the middle of November, ready for launch at the end of Nov.
Naomi: More collaborations! More witchcraft!
Rainbow chevron sequin dress £50, eyeball mesh top £50, hotpants £30 all from Laa Woof
Our second featured Halloween photoshoot is Bristolian Zoe Thompson from Zedhead Headwear creates fantastic statement carnival-inspired headdresses and is also part of the Bristol festival fashion team The Fash Pack. All headdresses are handmade and include beautiful feather head pieces and crowns, fun-filled fascinators and pimped-up visors. They ingeniously mix kitsch toys with feathers and sparkles for added playfulness. Zedhead Headwear also create spectacular accessories and jewellery, including their super-fun pom-pom earrings.
We asked Zoe what she’s up to this Halloween.
Zedhead Headwear and make-up by Gee Horsfield
Do you always create Halloween pieces and what inspired the photo-shoot?
Zoe: After making headwear through the festival months for the past six years, I started to get more and more interest and requests for Halloween-themed pieces. Two years ago I made my first Halloween collection, and year after year the celebration seems to get bigger.
This year I wanted to do a lookbook so was out to collaborate with a make-up artist. Gee Horsfield has been a big fan of Zedhead over the years and has always created fab festival looks using her make-up skills and my headwear. I approached Gee with the suggestion and she was very excited to do this.
What is your design process?
Throughout the year I collect odd quirky dolls and other decorative findings and jewels at car boot sales and charity shops. I always buy discounted jewellery in high street shops that I can tear apart to re use as decorative adornments to add to my headwear.
Once I have gathered all of my themed supplies I create as I go, combining flowers, jewels, sequins and feathers. A lot of my pieces are ‘one offs’ and cannot be reproduced, as some of the jewels used may be rare or the flowers are limited.
Zedhead Headwear Halloween lookbook 2017
What will you be doing this Halloween?
I normally have a girls’ night out where we all get dressed up on a theme, and there’s always a bit of good competition for fancy dress! I also have family parties to attend, so normally get excited to dress up and paint the faces of my two young boys. Last year I dressed them both as fire starters, after showing them the Prodigy music video!
Do you think Bristol embraces Halloween?
Bristol has got bigger and bigger with Halloween events over the years. I think people love dressing up more in general, and people tend to put a lot of effort into their outfits. I’m hoping to take my kids along to the Bristol Zombie Walk just to see their faces
Zedhead Headwear available from £24 – £45
Where can we pick up some Zedhead Halloween inspired goodies?
Zedhead Headwear can be purchased on my online Etsy store. I can take custom orders, given enough time.
What’s next for Zedhead Headwear?
After Halloween I’ll continue to make quirky headpieces all year around. I also make jewellery pieces, and I have a whole selection of accessories I’ll be taking to the Christmas gift markets at The Folk House and Tobacco Factory.
Contact Gee Horsfield for Halloween and beauty make up in Bristol.
Read our Fashion Editor Emma’s blog No Debutante.
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