Too much of a good thing?

I never thought i'd say this, but it turns out I can't do it all..

As many of you already know, I split my time between two dream jobs;

Firstly I have my own beloved business creating sparkling costumes for burlesque showgirls, skimpy bikinis for strippers, specialized VFX suits for performance and motion capture, orthotic support corsets for wheelchair-bound women, stage bikinis and trunks for professional body builders... the list keeps growing with every new spark of an idea!

And secondly is my other love, special-effects costumes for film.  I'm the second-in-charge of the costume department at Weta Workshop in New Zealand, where my amazing team and I get to create crazy costumes for major film projects like Ghost in the Shell, Power Rangers, Pacific Rim, The Hobbit and so many more.

In creative industries, we nearly always need a side hustle - that second stream of income that keeps the bills paid when your other job is slow (or a film project falls over/is put on hold etc)..  Due to my insane work ethic (absolute workaholic) I've ended up with two main hustles, and as much as i love them both equally, the non-stop work is starting to wear me down and i need to take a break.

Aside from the long hours, my poor old hands & wrists are taking a beating.  I'm sure many of my fellow costumiers will understand the frustration of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Tendinitis, it's getting so bad that i can't even hold my phone or open a jar without feeling the effects... I'm even starting to have trouble threading a needle and using a pen, it's a bit scary to be honest.

So i've made the huge decision to cut back on things for the rest of this year, and will be having surgery to help with my wrists.
I've had to weigh the pros and cons of each job, and this time film has won.  I've taken a more supervisory role on this next film project, which means I can rest my hands a little and will be doing less of the actual physical work myself.

I'm not closing down my own business though - far from it!
I'll just be using the spare time in the evenings to review and streamline my business, to make sure that i'm directing my efforts toward the parts of my business that i love the most.
You might notice a few changes on my websites - I'll be taking a few of the more complex items out and only offering the basics.  I love making G strings, and it's where my entire career began so i couldn't possibly stop making them now haha!

So yeah, thank you to all my amazing clients for being so patient over the past few years while i was biting off more than i could chew.  I'm still here, I'm just taking a half step back for a while ;)

Amethyst Aspirations

February is well on it's way! It's still technically summer here in New Zealand but the weather hasn't been that consistent, so it helps looking at pretty things, kicking off our birthstone/rhinestone monthly mood boards with Amethyst Aspirations

We absolutely love the KTB photo set of Alyssa Kitt in her custom Flo Foxworthy "Lilac Moon" costume, she toured with this stunning act throughout Australia in the Australian Burlesque Festival, and we were very lucky to see it in action here last year when she performed in New Zealand. I'll do a February spotlight on this costume as it's so detailed and spectacular!

Fires Waltz, the latest Haute Couture Spring Summer 2017 from Zuhair Murad. With the quote "An explosion of coloured light cloaked with the darkest night, then reflected in the shadowy waters below."

Photo and blog by Blushaholic

This lipstick and glitter combo from Blushaholic using Lit Cosmetics Deja Vu cosmetic glitter that we sell on the Foxworthy website. add it to your everyday and performance makeup, nail polish, crafts...life.

The vibes of classic showgirl, Sheree North, in her outrageous routine from 1955 film" How To Be Very Popular". I think I've done a few of these moves, and I might just steal some more!

Other exciting things this month are the Showgirl Markets that we're taking part in together with Venus Starr's School of Burlesque and Studio L'amour in our new location. We're also running a couple of classes alongside selling costumes and some of our stash! Visit our Facebook page for more info.


Happy Birthday to all the February babies!

xx

2016: A Quick Recap

Before I jump right in, I'd like to start with a "Phew! I can't believe it's already February". The last 6 weeks have flown by with us moving into a new workroom. The dust and rhinestones are still settling and finding their right places, as we get into the groove for 2017.

My name is Ria and I have joined Flo this year as an all round assistant on this crazy Foxworthy journey, I'll do a proper introduction post about myself soon but first I'd like to catch you up on Flo's last year.

2016 was a really busy year as Flo took on fewer burlesque commissions to focus on a large commitment to work with Weta Workshop on film "Ghost in the Shell". Here is a great video interview where you can see the work the Weta crew did and catch Flo discussing the creation of Scarlett Johansson's Thermoptic Suit.

To top it off, Flo also placed 4th on 21st Century Burlesque's "Burlesque Top 50 2016: Non-Performer Chart", following behind other fellow costumier and friend, the wonderful Christina Manuge, who place first on the Non-Performer list. Congrats lady!

With the release of 21st Century Burlesque's "Burlesque Top 50 2016" we wanted to highlight a few of our lovely clients who were voted in as it sums up the year and makes up feel warm and fuzzy!


2. Perle Noire

Pictured with double layer ostrich and peacock feather fans and mirrored Foxworthy staves

6. Roxi D'Lite

Wearing her namesake Dlite Bikini, photo by D'Arcy Bresson

9. Dita Von Teese

On her 2016 China Tour, wearing Foxworthy Panties, embellished by her team alongside costume by Catherine D'lish

20. Lola the Vamp

In a custom bikini set

33. Zelia Rose

In her Josephine Baker Tribute Bra and Panties while performing in Dita Von Teese's show

50. Bella De Jac

Wearing a Foxworthy bra and corset set, photographed by Brent Leideritz

We hope your year is off to a good start, we'll be keeping you posted with regular blogs, and would love to know if there's anything you'd like to read!?
xx

Measuring yourself the Foxworthy way

Perfect for ordering our Ready-to-wear and custom-made costumes

Art by Ruby Lee

When making a costume, it's important to have accurate body measurements in order to create a garment that fits properly.

All costumiers have their own preferences when it comes to the measurements they require (and use many different names for them as well!), so here's all the information you need to measure yourself up in preparation for your new custom-made costume from Flo Foxworthy.

Before you begin

You'll need to be wearing as little as possible in order to take accurate measurements - a Bra and Panties is ideal, but if it's a little chilly then you can wear a lightweight t-shirt and thin leggings.
Stand up straight, with your arms down by your sides.  If you'll be wearing heels with your costume then please put them on (and if you prefer to be barefoot when you dance, then leave them off).

It's also easier to have a friend measure you, but if not just go slow.

Using a measuring tape

If you know what you're doing then you can skip this step!

When you wrap the tape around the body, it should be firm but not tight - you don't want to be squishing any soft bits and getting an inaccurate reading. Measurements taken in centimeters should be exact to the millimeter if possible. Measurements taken in inches should be exact to 1/16th of an inch.

If you have no access to a measuring tape, your other option is to use rope or string and measure from 

The main thing is to hold your body in it's natural, comfortable way - so don't force suck in or push your stomach out unless that's a part of how you're wearing your costume - And remember the old saying "Measure twice, cut once"!