My characters are either naked or dressed to kill. Given they’re all monsters stalking the city of New Gotham’s twisted, cracked, and cobbled streets, the criminal wardrobe is part of the job description. Rockabilly princesses, corpse brides, leather queens…my city is full of them. Where do they get their menacing threads?
There is boutique hiding out between the fractured, narrow store-fronts lining the foggy docks. The shingles are ribbed and black. Washed, peeling paint and displays offering views into wicked leather and lace studded glam. The mannequins are ghoulish beauties stitched together from whatever was left from the last fool to cross one of the sinister witches.
Push open its shabby, frosted front door. Tiny white flakes of paint will pepper the wind like spectral dust and the minute you set heel onto waxy polished oak floors and step into the candelabra fire-light you know…
This is where the magic happens.
Welcome to Sinister Stitches
“…apparel for a wicked fairy tale.”
A spicy trinity of black magic sisters breathe star-dusted dreams to life with their gothic apparel boutique. They are schooled in the old ways of “fabric-bending” by the Needlewitches of old. With this knowledge, they’ve created an entire line of clothing that all share the same basic design element: one-size fits all. Each garment will magically tailor itself to its wearer once worn. There may might be some “twirling” required, but a vampire’s steady hand should turn every wardrobe change into a stolen moment.
Care to take a peek at what the Sinister Stitches has to offer?
Check out some of the questionnaire Alix Richards’ Tarrinaysa from Soul Design was asked to fill out after she wandered into Sinister Stitches.
THE WITCHES WHO STITCH QUESTIONNARE
Please provide the witches with your name: Tarrinaysa D’Orian
Please provide the witches with the following:
Hair Color: Multi-hued blonde
Hair Length: [ ] Short and Sassy, [ ] Medium and Modern, [X] Lush and Long
Eye Color: Fire opal
Skin Tone: [ ] Ghoulish, [ ] Snow White, [ ] Cina-baby, [ ] Mochalicious, [ ] Dark Chocolate,
[X] Other: Golden Bronze
Please provide the witches with your measurements and body-type.
a.) Height: 5’5”
b.) Body Type: [ ] Skeletal, [ ] Lean and Tender, [X] Lean and Tough, [ ] Ripe and Edible
Do you have any extra extremities? Place an “X” to all that apply.
[ ] Horns or [ ] Halo
[ ] 20 ft. of Hair or More
[ ] Gills and Fins or [ ] Hooves
[ ] Wings (Span: )
[ ] Tail (How many: )
How many heads do you have?
Only one normally.
Do you have arms and legs? If so, how many?
A pair of each, in human form.
How dead are you? [X] Living, [ ] Undead, [ ] Astral Form
What are you? (Species/Breed)
Deity/First One
What is the occasion? (Ideas include: Wedding, Funeral, Sabbath, etc. Oh, and seduction is a valid occasion. The more details, the better.)
A change, something new and seducing my Twin Flame. I wish for him to see what he turned his back on.
What’s the occasion setting? (Beach, haunted castle, grand ball, etc.)
Annual meeting of the High Council.
Will you be running for your life at some point in the evening? (Helps with shoe selection.)
Doubtful, I run from nothing and no one.
Will you be set on fire? Better yet, will you be setting other people on fire?
Highly unlikely, I may fry a certain annoying Delphian. I will not be on fire, he will be.
Will you be grave-robbing? (Dirt is a dressmaker’s tedium.)
I do not rob graves. Dirt is not something I aspire to tangle with. Blood, guts, and gore are all probable.
Is your neck a dinner plate?
No. My neck is served to one and I do not exist to him.
Do you hope to be naked at some point in the evening? (All right, dirty birds. Such questions are actually intended toward the weres and shifters in regards to their transformations.)
‘Tis possible, although highly unlikely.
Describe your last brush with Death in two sentences. (Helps us plan for the unexpected.)
A sword sliced through my sternum from the back, I cut its head off. I am a War Lord.
Do you need a secret compartment for weapons, wands, tampons, etc.?
Usually, blades are sheathed upon my body. I am attempting to appear more human. If I could easily reach those strapped to my thighs, and possibly forearms I will concede to your fashion sense.
What are your three favorite colors?
Red, black and silver.
What two colors rattle your kettle?
I assume you mean, annoy the hell out of me. In that case, yellow and green.
Please pick a style that you feel embodies you the best. If none apply, feel free to surprise us by providing your own brilliant description in the “other” slot.
[ ] Rockabilly Starlet: This is for the spoonfuls of sugar. The good-natured and naughty girl next door types. Candy is the business and fairy tales are ultimate. More often than not, her head is in the clouds and her nose in the book. Our dreamers.
[X] Leather Queen: This is for the warrior princesses. The type of girls who give boys a run for their money and wear tight jeans just watch the little vampires come undone. Hands for fighting and these heels for ass-kickings. Our protectors.
[ ] Medieval Mistress: This is for the no-nonsense girls. The ones who know better because they’re ten steps ahead. They’re schemers—they might be shy, or they might not be. More importantly, they’re selective. Our wisdom.
[ ] Gothic Dame: This for the mysteries. The ones no one can quite make heads or tails out off. She’s a mixture, a melting pot of sugar and sinister. She might be Rockabilly Starlet one day, or a Medieval Mistress other days. Our sisters.
[ ] Other: _____________________
Who is your favorite fairy tale villain?
Fairy tale villain? I watched something from Disney once, interesting. Cinderella’s stepmother.
If you could be any fairy tale princess, who would it be?
That is the opposite of above? Cinderella, similar to my childhood.
Now, tell us the twit you hate most.
I do not have time to hate another. Although, annoying would be the male who is supposed to be my divine mate. Does that count?
Anything else you’d like to add…
I am entrusting your establishment with my true identity, as you come highly recommended. Please, be discrete. Thank you.
Sinister Stitches’ Leather Queen,
Brenda Dweyer presents Tarrinaysa’s Completed Dress
“Perfect Storm”
Seated on the counter top with her legs crossed, Brenda the She-wolf is painted in a scarlet leather cat-suit and matching snake-skin f#ck-me-pumps. She flashes a brilliant white crescent of even white teeth and sharp dainty canines: I’m the claws and the bite in these cursed parts. Brenda Dweyer at your services, Your Grace. Now, I had a dress all ready for you... It was sheer mesh and organza with willow leave and jungle vine detail. There was badass boots and so much leather my lips got wet. Both sets.
Yeah, that’s right, sugar baby, I just said that. Problem? Then I sure as hell ain’t your cup of tea, princess. Otherwise, pull up a bar stool and pour the hard sh#t because I wear my jeans tight—or I ain’t wearing nothin’ at all. The weak need not apply, ‘cause my trigger finger is impatient and I ain’t got the time. Got it? Good.
So, let’s get acquainted shall we...?
As I said before, I had a dress all ready for you, but Astrid stuck her big nose in and Gillian followed shortly afterward. Here’s the deal—you’re looking for a change right? Trying to get that pain-the-ass to look your direction?
Now, now, Tarrin—don’t turn heads. Break necks. How?
Look this way sugar...
The Avalon blue halter evening dress is fashioned from what’s left of a Midgard Frost Drake. I hunted and skinned it especially for you. Was no easy task. Ice dragon scales are made from ocean diamonds, hence the reptilian sheen, so believe I had to get a little creative...and bloody. Thankfully, the scales are stain resistant. If someone should so happen to cross you and you should so happen to unleash holy hellfire and ravage this earth from one end to the other, you can rest assured that your dress will suffer none of the blood stains forever. One quick rinse and she’ll be good as new.
Scales are the business. I swear, it’s better than chain-link armor or full-metal pixie dust—nothing is gonna get you in this dress. Well, unless you want it to...
Much to Gillian and Astrid’s dismay, I also cut you a slit in the back. It rides fairly high—to the back of your knees—but you and I both know, unless you can move and fight in dress, you might as well be wearing a straightjacket. Easy pickings. So, I’ve also tossed some blue garters with special holsters in them for whatever else you might need
Astrid spun the sash from Neverland clouds. It will offer texture concealment for any weapons worn using these silver gauntlets. The silver gauntlets themselves do sheath assassin forearm blades fashioned from Olympus steel—they’re invisible until they pierce skin.
The dress has a padded breast, so there is no need to ruin my flawless silhouette with a bra line. Who has time for hostage tits anyways? And besides, what War Lord needs to hide the “weapons”—if anything let’s give the little boys something to stare at while they’re holding their stuff. And while the diving neckline is low, the girls and I did that more as...incentive? You’ve made it very clear that your neck is nobody’s business. And besides, if this goddess’ neck—any goddess’ neck, really—is your business, I highly doubt you’re really all that worried about ripping a little bit of lace, eh? (Good luck with that sh#t, mate.)
Sinister Stitches recommends pairing this dress with a shiny black trench and wedged booties. Oh, and don’t take the jacket off until you’ve got his full attention. And remember, Your Grace...
Don’t turn heads. Break necks
IMPORTANT BULLETINS from THE PIXIES:
Fancy a tour of New Gotham? Check out New Gotham’s Survival Guide! It might save your life! (Link: http://sophieavett.weebly.com/new-gotham-bonus-content.html)
For more information about Sophie Avett’s New Gotham novels and Sinister Stitches series and recent release, ‘Twas the Darkest Night, please check out her website: http://www.sophieavett.weebly.com.
For more information about Alix Richards and Tarrinaysa’s divine adventures in Soul Design, please check out her publisher’s website. (http://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/our-authors/68-our-authors/authors-r/111-alix-richards )
http://depositphotos.com/portfolio-1036362.html (carlodapino)
Oh! Everything looks absolutely wonderful! Thank you so much for hosting me, Dark Cravings! Here, have a wedge of angel cake! You surely deserve it. (The interview looks fabulous!) Alix is thrilled to bits! And I'm tickled pink. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous! Very nicely done. Yes, I am truly thrilled. The interview turned out great. I think Tarrinaysa is taken by Sophie. Normally, she avoids clothing that show she's a female. She's already picking at me to wear the dress.
ReplyDelete