Dances of Vice Venetian Valentine Grande Masquerade

Happy Valentine's Day! Yours truly celebrated this romantic day with Dances of Vice's Venetian Valentine Masquerade Ball. The venue was the dramatic former bank in Manhattan's Lower East Side. The soaring columns were lit with artistic lighting and draped velvets and silks.
The dress code was Venetian opulence (or naughtiness) with masks being a required element. Alternatively, guests could choose a black tie, but thankfully, most complied with the theme. The main floor was packed with glamorous costumes and a floor show of burlesque, opera, aerialists, and contortionists to give the air of an elegant circus. These performers came courtesy of Company XIV, known for their erotic Nutcracker Rouge production during the holiday season in NYC.
The upper floors were reserved for VIP ticket holders. They included a lounge of the martini glass and vintage bathtub burlesque dancers to tickle your fancy. A mesmerizing juggler looked like he was just casting a spell to make glass balls levitate. A more risque lounge was dedicated to BDSM demonstrations for curious guests. I would call it "bondage light" for newbies who wanted to explore the equipment in a comfortable, supportive crowd.
Shien Lee, the founder of Dances of Vice, produced this extravagant party. For years, she has been the maven who got New Yorkers to dress up and party in theme for the most stylish soirees. Her events have grown more and more popular, taking over massive venues each season.
I dressed up in an outfit inspired by Shakespeare's Titania of a Midsummer's Night's Dream. Hubby was my Oberon in tails. This is an event where you go all out and wear that crazy extravagant outfit that you could never imagine wearing. I can't imagine a more stylish, sexy way to spend Valentine's week with a  (lusted after) loved one.

Photos by Mariana Leung and Adam Weinstein

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Burlesque & Bubbles - Dr. Sketchy Does Commedia Dell'Arte

I love the trend of drinking and drawing. Dr. Sketchys has been a New York, now International institution of combining fine art, raunchy burlesque and music set in a bar. I haven't been to a session since 2010 .

Founder Molly Crabapple has since gone on to publish multiple books, become a highly sought-after artist and star journalist for Vice. She passed the reins to very capable personalities to host yesterday's event at Midtown's Flute Champagne bar. The two-drink minimum of creative champagne cocktails can surely get you in a baudy mood.

Falana Fox & Viktor Devonne

The Commedia Dell'Arte theme of last night refers to the classic Italian theater style that heavily relies on common tropes. Pierrot is the traditional lovelorn male constantly wooing Columbina. He is a romantic figure, though often portrayed as a fool. From theater group to theater group, the plays may be different, but the characters stay the same.

While there is no actual instruction in the "class", the timed poses are similar in structure as many life drawing classes. You start with 1-minute gestures, then 2-minute poses, increasing to 5-minute drawings with one 20-minute pose. There are contests to win prizes from sponsors. Tonight they included sketchbooks and designer bow-ties. In the past they could include spa products, sex toys or shots of liquor.

The models were female and male burlesque performers Falana Fox and Viktor Devonne. Both of them were game for any pose or state of deshabillement for the sake of good art. 

I love getting my sketching practice at Dr. Sketchy from a fashion lens because the models are sexy, but come in all shapes and sizes (rather than the same tall/thin models of fashion sketch classes). As Hubby pointed out, burlesque is all about the accessories. When you're down to the pasties, it's all about the bling and feathers. The performers sell those tiny little fashion accessories that much harder. The sassy expressions are much more fun to draw than a bored "model" look. 

Without the competition of a class, or grades, you can just hang out and have fun. A strong drink next to you with a DJ and models in lingerie or less, it can be a wild night out. At the end of Dr. Sketchy's, you have a book full of sexy drawings. Doesn't that sound fun? Whatever city you live in, there is probably a Dr. Sketchy's near you. Check out the website for their schedules. 
Sketches by Mariana Leung

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DIY Burlesque Fashion Workshop at Brooklyn Noir

Looking to spice up your game? How about a workshop (for singles and couples) to handcraft the sexiest accessories you can imagine? Make your own leather corset, artisan pasties, furry kitten heels and other burlesque fashion and fetish items to make you feel naughty.

The Brooklyn Shoe Space is hosting a sexy weekend of classes starting this Saturday, February 6, 2016 to teach you how to make everything from leather whips, masks, waist trainers to garter belts. The weekend starts with a burlesque performance to get everyone in the mood.

Classes include all materials and are reasonably priced from $35. To reserve your spot, email  ritika@brooklynshoespace.com . All workshops are located at 224 Roebling Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211.

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2015 Coney Island Mermaid Parade

Do your fishies swim? Saturday marked the 2015 Mermaid Parade in Brooklyn. It is a tradition of Coney Island in its 32nd year. It takes inspiration from the burlesque dancers, side shows, circus and artists living the community (there is a Mermaid Avenue next to the Parade route).

With the rich entertainment history of the parade, the perfect King Neptune and Queen Mermaid for the event were unsurprisingly Mat Fraser (musician and actor on American Horror Story Freakshow) and reigning star of burlesque in NYC, Julie Atlas Muz. I loved their work separately even before I found out they were married. (I heard they even had a zombie walk during their wedding, which makes them the coolest couple in the world).

I was sadly home sick and missed the parade. I had to live vicariously through the photos of my friends and Instagram. This parade is a gorgeous display of sexy costume and fashion design. A lot of people have artistic interpretations of the mermaid and sea theme. Some do a great mash-up like the Marilyn Monroe mermaid or Goth-maid. As many outfits lean towards the skimpy side, it creates a palette for some dramatic hair and makeup creations. Jewels, long lashes, pear
ls, shimmering body paint, seaweed, and coral are the clear style winners. While the ladies are bringing it, I'm happy to see lots of men bringing their art to the parade as well and just having fun.

From fins to fashion boardwalk, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade was the place to be!
photos from Don O'Neill, Norman Blake and crowdsourced from Instagram.

Check out Style Your Inner Mermaid
by Mariana Leung at Mode

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Wine Enthusiast's Red & White Ball

Before the roaring 20's of Gatsby, there was the Belle Epoque.  Wine Enthusiast Magazine celebrated their 25th anniversary with a decadent Red and White Bash for a good cause.  The event was held at the Hudson Hotel's basement re-imagined as a romantic circus.

Red and White was a reference to the over 30 wineries offering tastings of their wines.  The colors were also the theme of the night for event designer Adam Aleksander's decor and dress code.  Both the gents and ladies decked themselves out in vintage party style with hats, fascinators, pearls, jewels and dresses in the spirit of the event.  There were festive makeovers offered to people who wanted some extra flare in their hair or sparkly makeup.  

An old-timey big band set the soundtrack for the evening on stage with Parisian lampposts.  A sexy burlesque aerialist glided into her moves on a crescent moon overlooking the guests.   

While the wine flowed freely, the true reason for the celebration was that proceeds from every ticket sold went to benefit the Wine to Water organization.  The non profit heads up projects in countries like Uganda, Sudan, Cambodia and many others to provide clean water to communities that struggle to have access to it.  Some of their projects have included digging wells, distributed ceramic or bio-sand water filters and constructing a water system to an orphanage.

You can donate or host your own event on their behalf here.  If you were planning your next big bash, what theme would YOU go with?

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Betsey Johnson and Cyndi Lauper - NY Fashion Week

What a treat! Cyndi Lauper performed a mini concert to open Betsey Johnson's 40 year retrospective show at Espace lounge last night.  The designer also celebrated her 70th birthday among friends and fans.

My childhood idol Cyndi Lauper performed a song from her new album, as well as hits True Colors and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Her voice sounded better than ever, and she was adorable in a black jacket, big tulle skirt and corset.

The runway ended up being more of a burlesque revue than catwalk to the complaint of absolutely no one.  Models danced and vamped their way through the 1960's, 1970's, 1980's through looks of today.  The progression also showed the evolution of the label from whimsical, girly party clothes into a full lifestyle brand that encompassed luggage, children's wear, accessories and fragrance.

Guests were treated to rose champagne, pink popcorn and sparkling pink cupcakes while they danced to a rocking soundtrack of my personal favorites.  Betsey's daughter Lulu jumped out of a giant birthday cake in tribute to her mother, and was then joined onstage by Betsey's granddaughters.  Betsey, at 70 years old still ended the show with her signature cartwheel and split.

This show was one of the most enjoyable events I have had the privilege to attend in my fashion career... Betsey as a brand and designer was an inspiration for its wit and joie de vivre.  She further moved me with her work supporting breast cancer awareness.  Cyndi Lauper was my big girl crush whom I adored growing up.  I loved her indie style and sweet nature.  The combination of the two?  You couldn't keep me away from this show if you tried...

More looks:

all photos by Mariana Leung (that's me)

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