Red & Black Week, Day 6: A Night at the Pantages

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This is it!  Day 6, and the conclusion of an amazing week of Red & Black Gothy Blogging!  Show us what you've got for the grand finale, and be sure to check back tomorrow for a recap of everyone who participated.

Questions about this theme? Visit the Red & Black Week Rules and FAQs or e-mail me.

In the interest of full disclosure, please be aware that I had to recreate this look. :) The event I actually wore it to took place on October 31, 2010, before I had even dreamed up my blog. But I kept remembering it when I was contemplating this year's Red & Black Week...

The big event was the final night of Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of Phantom of the Opera at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. I managed to turn my dad into a Phantom fan when I took him to see it at the Pantages back in 1999. When he heard in 2010 it was closing down for good, he was determined to attend one of the final performances. Dad, Mr. Kitty an I actually went twice in one week; once sitting front-row center, then again five nights later about half-way back for the final performance. It was an amazing experience. And one of the only times I've gone out in an evening gown and actually NOT looked out of place.

This gown is by Jessica McClintock, who I suppose you could say is my favorite designer for formal wear. The dress I wore for the first Movie Monday was also from her line (sadly, I had to retire that dress after that wearing), and I have one other that you'll see sometime soon.

The necklace and earrings were from a random no-name accessory store in the mall, back when I lived in Burbank. My wrap was just a long piece of tulle, right off of the bolt. I suppose I could've at least sewed some trim on it, but who has the time?

This August, we hope to go see the "modified" version of Phantom currently running in Vegas* before it closes in September. Mom's not into the theatre at all, so I guess she's staying home petsitting. ;)

* Blech -I hate everything about Vegas... but what's a fan girl to do?

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Red & Black Week, Day 5: Contrast

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I must apologize for not getting to comment yet on everyone's posts from yesterday. It was a very challenging day at work, and I just needed to rest when I finally got home. I promise tonight I will read and comment on all the posts from both yesterday and today. So keep them coming!

Questions about this theme? Visit the Red & Black Week Rules and FAQs or e-mail me.

I bought this corset ages ago (as in, not even this century), before I knew much (as in anything) about the importance of quality in corsetry. Naturally, the plastic boning in this thing bends and bulges in very unflattering ways and is getting worse over time. Still, it's very durable for an inexpensive piece, and I love the drama of it, so I'll probably hang onto it until it starts to wear out.

I think pretty much every Goth girl has a corset similar to this one, so I'm definitely not winning any points for originality today! I hope my necklace by Artwith Latex can make up for that! This was the first piece I ordered from them (I've since acquired a choker/bracelet set), after seeing an ad in Gothic Beauty magazine. All of their pieces are amazing, and the creation process sounds like a true art form. The only problem is the necklace tends to shift gradually as I move my head throughout the evening, so I hold the center part in place with a tiny piece of fashion tape.

Today's makeup is inspired by the work of Madame Noire. I often wear red in the crease, but I tried blending more black into it for this look. These photos are from last weekend, and naturally this week Ms. Noire did a tutorial on a more subtle use of red shadow, which I like much better than my heavy application. I love very heavy makeup in dark clubs, but next time I want a more versatile red shadow look, I'll be using her tips for sure!

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Red & Black Week, Day 4: Ruching and Pleating

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Welcome to Red & Black Week Day 4 of 6!  We're halfway there, ladies!  :) We've had an astonishing number of participants so far! But I'm not going to reveal how many yet. I'll save the surprise for my Post-Red & Black Week Wrap-Up this Saturday!

If anyone missed their chance to link up their posts from yesterday due to the brief Mr. Linky malfunction, let me know and I will be sure to add you manually. I know some of you are dedicated to participating every day of the event, and I don't want anyone to miss out if they had something planned!

Questions about this theme? Visit the Red & Black Week Rules and FAQs or e-mail me.

Maybe I should've called this Ruche & Black Week.  ;)  What can I say; that's my absolute favorite clothing detail ever.  I have tons of ruched sleeves, bodices and skirts.  This strapless satin top is interesting in the fact that I think it's the only strapless top I've ever seen that buttons up the front.  It also has a cute little sash, which I prefer to just wrap around the back (using the built-in belt loops) than all the way around.  Someday I'll try it with a black sash, which I think would look cute tied in a bow in the front.

This top is another perfect color match for my all-time favorite red and black shoes!  I recently grabbed the asymmetrical sheer pleated skirt from Ross.  Yeah, I went from being a Ross hater to a total Ross groupie.  But I can't resist a skirt that's longer in the back than in the front!  I'm pretty sure we Goths invented that, despite the fact that it actually seems to be extremely popular suddenly...

You might remember this cross from one of my Red & Black Week outfits in 2011. I'm wearing red rhinestone stud earrings, too, although they pretty much look black in the photos.

I was experimenting with grey makeup in preparation for my new job...  I wore it darker here than I have been to work, to make it more evening-appropriate, but I wanted to see how the color looked on me, and make sure it didn't irritate my lids. I've had a lot of allergic reactions to eye shadows, which is why I usually stick with either Ben Nye or Bare Minerals. This one is by the latter, and as usual this brand was safe for me. However, I decided that it had a bit too much sparkle in it, since I wanted to pair it with a shimmery pink, so I'll be on the hunt for a matte grey next time I'm at the one store I know of that actually sells Ben Nye (other than online, but I like to see makeup products in person before I buy them the first time, when possible).

Wow; why do my nails look pink in this photo??

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Red & Black Week, Day 3: Red Dress, Black Cardi

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First off, I wanted to extend a warm welcome to my newest followers.  Seems I've gained a few as a result of this week's big event.  Thank you all so much for taking part, whether you are contributing blog posts of your own or just enjoying those of others.  Hope everyone is having fun with it!

Today, Red & Black Week continues with Day 3 of 6, and another work outfit.

Questions about this theme? Visit the Red & Black Week Rules and FAQs or e-mail me.

This dress is a twin of the purple dress I wore during my first interview for the new job.  I grabbed them both at Ross on the same day a couple months ago, because I loved everything about the cut.  The ruched bodice is super-flattering, and the a-line skirt is perfect for work!

Today's tattoo-concealing shrug is a modification of an old, unflattering cardi.  I cut off the front button part, cut the whole thing shorter and hemmed it all the way around.  Now it is just the right length to not hide my figure or my dress.

I ditched the shrug when Mr. Kitty picked me up from work so we could go out for a nice dinner.  Did I mention that Mr. Kitty and I are commuting together now that I have this new job?  He's been commuting for several years, and now my new employer happens to be right on his way to his office.  So we get to keep each other company for the first half of his drive, and we save on gas!  Sometimes it's nice to stop for dinner halfway home to unwind a bit and break up the drive.

I spontaneously wore a side ponytail as a variation on my usual side bun.  Everyone at work was shocked to see how long my hair is.  I always love revealing that little secret to a new group of people when they've only ever seen me with my hair up.  :) 

The necklace and bead earrings are self-made. This bracelet is just a set of beaded stretch bracelets I bought in a random accessory shop on Melrose, with a sparkly butterfly brooch attached.  Another spontaneous decision, because I was dying to incorporate that little guy into my Red & Black posts this year but didn't have any outfits planned that called for a brooch.  I had to be very careful not to smash him all over my desk throughout the day...  It seems he survived without injury!

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Red & Black Week, Day 2: Black Turtleneck, Red Cardi, Wide Belt

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We had a great turnout for Day One of Red & Black Week! Thank you all so much for the great kick-off. Now, it's on to Day Two. Today, I'm bringing you one of my New Job Outfits.

Questions about this theme? Visit the Red & Black Week Rules and FAQs or e-mail me.

I was so happy to find a couple of ways to incorporate the color scheme of the week into my new job wardrobe!   I bought this red cardigan at Ross during my "OMG I need more long sleeves" panic shopping.  Coverups like this are a perfect way to utilize many of my current short-sleeve pieces without revealing any tattoos, so I've accumulated several different colors over the past month.

As you've probably noticed, I'm not a fan of loose, drapey things that hide a woman's figure...  Adding an elastic belt from random mall store gave this outfit a lovely shape, plus that shiny buckle added some drama without going over the top with accessories (which I usually do, but haven't built up the courage for at the new job).

I kept the rest of the outfit simple with a sleeveless mock turtleneck shell and stretchy black pencil skirt.  This skirt is currently a bit too snug in the ... backside... to wear to work without a coverup, so this cardi is serving multiple purposes!!  I still need to shape up a bit after gaining 10 pounds during my "old job drama."  My mental health has improved dramatically, so I am no longer living on a diet of red wine and chocolate, but I still haven't gotten back in the habit of exercising. I sure miss the energy I had when I was in better shape! And that handful of my favorite skirts that are currently obscenely tight and unwearable because when I put on weight, it all goes directly to my behind!  :/

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Red & Black Week, Day 1: Vintage Polka Dots

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Happy Second Annual Red & Black Week! I've been looking forward to this ever since last year's inaugural event.  I'll be waiting up till after midnight tonight, like a kid waiting for Santa, to see who's the first to post in the Linky.  ;-D

Questions about this theme? Visit the Red & Black Week Rules and FAQs or e-mail me.

I scored this polka dot wiggle dress at Macy's last month on sale for 50% off. Technically, I was shopping for new work clothes, but this was 50% off. Admit it; you would have done the same thing. ;) So, to justify it as a work-related purchase, I wore this outfit to a little New Job Celebration with a couple of friends. One of our friends was having some work drama of her own, which was resolved just about the same time as I got my offer, so champagne was definitely in order!

A vintage look like this just screams for flesh-tone fishnets, doesn't it?  Of course, in the photos you can't tell they are fishnets. Trust me, they are; and they looked fabulous in person!

In my opinion, nothing goes better with black and white polka dots than red accessories. I think this is the first time I've worn the "other pair" of red shoes I bought on my birthday last year.  I tied the shoes in with a red hair flower adorning my ponytail, and matching lipstick.

I can't wait to see what my fellow Goth bloggers are wearing this week to honor this much-celebrated color scheme. Let the linking begin!


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Red & Black Week Starts TOMORROW!

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Just a reminder, Sophistique Noir's Second Annual Red & Black Week starts tomorrow, June 3. We'll be featuring six days of posts honoring this sacred Gothic color combination June 3-8, followed by a wrap-up featuring everyone who participates in the event.

Get all the details.

I'm so excited to be hosting this event for the second year, and can't wait to see what everyone contributes.

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All images and text © Sophistique Noir Gothic Fashion Blog. Do not use any photos or text from this blog without providing a credit to me and a link back to the original post.