Juding the Oz Comic-Con Cosplay Championships!

High calibre talent at Oz Comic-Con's Cosplay Championships in Adelaide, 2016! Thankyou for having me as your Cosplay Panel Judge!
💖
It was incredibly difficult as there were so many unique and skillful cosplayers, especially in regards to armour and paint work! 💖

You all deserved an award and it was an honour to appreciate all your hard work up close! Huge fan!

http://www.ozcomiccon.com/2016/guests/belinda-zanello/

Special mention goes to the overall Cosplay Championships winner for SA 2016 (who now goes to compete in the nationals), Lilla Bee Cosplay for her cosplay of The March Hare, based on the illustration by Sakizou. (Beautiful professional image by Steamkittens, 2016).
The panel and myself were beyond impressed with the level of creativity in problem-solving, the broad skill-level employed in techniques used, fabric manipulation and adaptation and the great level of costume-construction, including a corset and bustle and the regal collar stand on her shoulders! 

Illustration by Sakizou

Image by Lilla Bee Cosplay

Image by Steamkittens

Oz Comic-Con Adelaide - Belinda Zanello profile

 I had a highschool student contact me regarding Steam Punk Costumes for their Research Project, and thought the conversation here might be worth sharing too! 

Is steam punk just dressing up or does it have other meaning to you personally?

To me personally, I think all forms of costuming and conventions are a great form of escapism from our everyday realities. It is also a great opportunity for artisans, designers and people who are wanting to learn more about craft, sewing and visual arts for their costumes. 

where was your first steam punk convention/ event?

 I have only ever attended conventions in my normal clothing (not in costume), first time at Avcon around 2010 maybe.

Where do you think the steam punk dress idea originates?

 From what I’ve heard, they are inspired by the Victorian era and the industrial revolution with many gears and mechanical parts and mechanical limbs! I think there may be a bit of sci-fi in there too somewhere!

How do you think steam punk has evolved?

I think it has the ability to evolve into many styles and cross over into other genres like sci-fi if there’s time travel or bionic limbs, etc! I think steam punk is fairly new though in the last 10 years and has plenty of time to further evolve still. 

 Do you think steampunk is just a fashion phase or will it continue to evolve?

 I wouldn’t call it fashion, it’s more of a cosplay genre, I hope it is not a phase, I think it will evolve given time.

What do you need for a basic steam punk costume?

 Your costume needs to be from the Victorian era (1800’s) and I think your character needs an element of inventiveness with the mechanical aspect of steam punk. Maybe goggles, a mechanical arm, and an adventurous spirit!

Do you think steampunk has a broad appeal? Why?

I think it is (like all cosplay) very inclusive to all demographics of people, from all walks of life. Steam Punk doesn’t discriminate based on your age, gender, race, sexuality, disability, etc. I have seen many different people dress up for conventions and it’s all about celebrating the costume and the culture around that which has been built around it and its supporters.

Are you involved in role playing/cosplay activities other than steampunk?

I have unfortunately not had time to create a cosplay costume, but this year was fortunate enough to have been asked to be a Panel Judge at the 2016 Adelaide Oz-Comic Con, for the Cosplay Championships in April. It was truly inspiring to see so many great artisans and their hard work, it was even harder to pick the top 4 winners and then the overall winner! Adelaide has talent!

 How is steampunk different from other cosplay?

It is different due to it’s theme which is unlike any other and is it’s own creation. There is a whole pop culture around it, in comic books and video games now. Whereas cosplay is more about creating a costume from an existing character from pop culture, or sometimes making your own costume from a character. 


Thank you everyone! Please come say hi on my Facebook Page!
Belinda Zanello: Fashion & Costume 

Featured in VERSE Magazine, Uni SA

Thrilled to report that my digital photography was featured in Issue 5 of VERSE MAGAZINE, Aug 2015, University of SA, pg. 54/55 and pg. 26.

Grab a copy on campus or online at http://versemag.us11.list-manage.com/track/click…


Many thanks to my beautiful models and body artist friend Vanessa Kalderovskis xx
Model wears silk corset and rose garland by made by me.

Both images were shot by me in 2013 while I was studying Digital Photography at Uni SA.

The image of the 'sleeping beauty' with a rose garland crown also made the NCAP: National Campus Art Prize exhibition, and was the only finalist from SA in 2013. It was exhibitted at the Nexus Art Gallery on North Terrace, Adelaide, along with all the other finalists Australia-wide.

Thankyou to the publishing team at Verse Magazine, Uni SA for making this happen!

Belinda.
www.facebook.com/BelindaZanelloFashion

Carer Support Personal Styling Workshop!

Last month, I ran a 'Personal Styling' workshop for 33 carers, who were having a "pamper day" and a well-deserved day-off to relax and invest in themselves. 

"Carers are people who look after someone who is frail aged or has a disability, a mental illness, a chronic illness, an intellectual disability, or a physical disability. They can be a family member, friend or neighbour". - Carersupport.org.au

It was very inspiring to meet so many men and women who put their own lives on the back burner at times to focus on someone else's wellbeing and quality of life. One of my best friends is a carer to her father, and I see the level of commitment and love involved in such a full-time role.

Some of the statistics involved in a carer's own quality of life include: 35% feeling isolation, 30% felt depression, in 2003 48% of Carers were caring for 40 hours or more a week, 34% felt weary and lacking in energy, 44% have a disability of their own or suffer injuries or illnesses left unchecked usually because they do not put themselves as a priority, and sadly 34% report their relationships are strained or experience divorce or relationship breakdown because of the stress of caring responsibilities. - Carersupport.org.au

Which is why I was thrilled to contribute to their special day, called "Discover Yourself" held at The Farm, in Willunga. The workshop included a lovely bound booklet with activities to help find your best colours to suit your complexion and hair colour, activities on how to dress for your height and build and most importantly how to express yourself and tell your story of who you are.

There was a powerpoint slideshow I created, detailing design principles we normally take for granted, but which are employed everyday in designs to make us appear at our best. Principles such as linear emphasis, scale and proportion, colour theory and we even had a look at Trinny and Susannah's make overs.

It was lovely after to receive some great feedback from the carers and the lovely staff at Carer Support, thankyou for having me and I look forward to running this workshop again in future!  

www.facebook.com/BelindaZanelloFashion 

 To Contact Carer Support:

Eastern Carer Support Centre

290 Glen Osmond Road, Fullarton

(08) 8379 5777

View a location map

Southern Carer Support Centre

241 Main South Road, Morphett Vale

(08) 8433 9555

View a location map

Other Contact Information

General Queries     supportadmin@carersupport.org.au

Media                         media@carersupport.org.au

If you have any feedback (whether it’s positive or negative) or suggestions you’d like to share with Carer Support, please email us at feedback@carersupport.org.au

Facebook                  www.facebook.com/carersupportsa

Twitter                       www.twitter.com/carersupportsa

Dear Year 12 students

Australia Day Fashion Illustration 2015. BZ

 To my faithful readers,

I thought I'd share this post because a lovely teacher, SACE Co-ordinator and friend of mine asked me to answer some questions which her Year 12 students might have.

I hope if you're reading this that it helps, and if you ever feel it gets too much or you're lost, that you go back to the beginning and remember what it is you love and stay true to yourself and what you want out of life. B. x

 Subjects you did - were some because of prerequisites for courses?

Because Fashion Design was only taught through Tafe at the time (it now is at Flinders Uni) I had no pre-requisites, so I chose to play my strengths and pursue SACE subjects that I enjoyed and I was successful in.

They were my own version of pre-requisites to help fuel my tertiary studies and I made them work to that advantage. E.g. in Italian, for my major assignments I focussed on the history of Italian Fashion. (And last year in London I got to attend an exhibition at the V&A on just that! It was like coming full circle.) Also in Visual Arts I focussed my major on wearable art, and couture fashion. In Drama I focussed on Costume Design. I was the only student to graduate with straight A's in my year. 
 
Tips for getting through year 12 Challenges during the year

Australia Day Fashion Illustration 2015. BZ

You really have to be priority #1. Don't be too accomodating and sacrifice important study time because: a) your dream boyfriend wants to see you all the time, b) your casual job wants you to pick up shifts at the last minute, c) your social life just can't wait.  It can. And it will.

You get one really good shot at Year 12 and if you play your cards right and put yourself first (meaning a minimum of 8 hours sleep at night, nourishing yourself with HEALTHY food to balance cognitive performance, getting a bit of fresh air and exercise a day, and a good balance of work/play to have down time to socialize with your friends (once you've earned it and not before!).

You have to be fair with yourself and do the work. INVEST IN YOURSELF. You are your own asset to your future, the time is now.

Help available during the year

Never underestimate the support that is there within your Year 12 subject teachers. They want you to succeed, they want to know their efforts meant something and they will go that extra mile to show you that you can achieve what you set your mind to. I am so grateful for my teachers for inspiring me, it inspired me to be a teacher so I can pay it forward one day.

 What career pathway did you have during year 12?

My pathway wasn't as concrete as some, but I knew I needed to follow my strengths and passions. I knew it was either in the fashion or costume industry at the time, but I got both, and then some! It then lead on to teaching, and it may grow/change further again in future too.

There's no point pursuing a career just for a six-digit salary that leaves you feeling empty and unsatisfied. Material advantages fade in time, pick something which makes you want to get out of bed in the morning because you want to, not because you have to.

What stayed the same / changed? Why? Good change?

I hadn't anticipated I'd catch the teaching bug. It happened in my final year of Fashion Design at Tafe, when the tafe lecturers noticed my aptitude in helping struggling students to keep up with the class. I'd finish my work first, and instead of waiting around doing nothing, friends would come and ask me for help and it went from there.

The Tafe employed me as a Peer Tutor and it was really rewarding seeing my help make a difference; and especially when it's about something I love, sewing. So it was a no-brainer. I still love working in the fashion and costume industry for the State Opera company, or as a stylist on photoshoots and the occassional music video, or creative projects for myself. And I hope in future I can have the best of both.
 
+/- aspects of study/ life since you left school
It's funny how good study habits can still serve you well years later, ingrained into your psyche. I'm very grateful as I started Uni 5 years after finishing Year 12 (prior to that was at Tafe for 3 years, then had 2 years off to work for the State Opera). I think that academic drive that you either have, or develop in school never leaves you and has really helped me stay focussed and committed, even when the deadlines are all on the same day, or personal conflicts are happening in real life, you really learn what you're made of in Year 12 and it stays with you for life.

*I'd also like to add, (to my year 12 Italian teacher Ms Bamford) it's been 7 years since her Italian class, and last year I finally went to Italy and was STILL able to make simple Italian conversation with real Italians in Florence, Venice and Rome - which is a testament to brain synapses - the connections are all still there dormant in your mind if you need them! Tantie grazie Caroline! 

How are you finding your career journey? One key piece of advice
My journey has had interesting twists and turns, pleasant surprises, reality checks, ups and downs, but nevertheless you have to stay true to who you are and what you want out of life. Never settle. I think my journey is still only beginning, it's important to dig even deeper to find the courage to pursue your dreams and it can be terrifying, but it's more terrifying to wake up one day and realize that it's too late. And if you do, I hope you have the courage to start over again, no matter your age. It's only a number. And life's too short to not enjoy it. Carpe Diem.

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/BelindaZanelloFashion
Instagram: http://i.instagram.com/belinda_zanello_fashion/

Marsala: The Colour of 2015

Since  2010 I have been blogging little bits and bobs of things that interest me and little projects or shoots I've worked on. For some reason, this almost "cult" of the Pantone Colour of the Year has me hooked again, for the 6th year in a row now.

Maybe because it's so easy, relatable and finite, like the Chinese horoscope; next year is the Year of the Sheep, and we all want to know what that means for us. With the Pantone colour of the year, it is actually a prediction, based on current situations on a global, social, cultural, economical, political, etc. level we can all relate to.

Here are the previous years I've blogged (you can find them in each year's archive):

• PANTONE 18-3224 Radiant Orchid (2014)
• PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald (2013)
• PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango (2012)
• PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle (2011)
• PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise (2010)

WHY MARSALA?

So what does Pantone 18-1438 Marsala mean for us? Of the five million colours our eyes can distinguish, why was this one chosen? Prepare for seduction!

2015 is all about richness and being grounded. Satisfying and earthy red-brown like a deep, rich glass of wine, Marsala is sophisticated, natural and "earthy". (I can already hear the earth-loving hipsters rejoicing).

Hearty and stylishly sophisticated, this tone will appeal universally and easily lends itself to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors.

IN FASHION

Ever elegant as a statement colour for its full-bodied qualities, designers such as Hervé Léger and Max Azria have already used Marsala on the runways for Spring 2015 collections. Used as an accent colour when paired with other colours, it can be quite subdued and sophisticated. Or for more drama, pair it with neutrals, such as warmer taupes and greys. Because Marsala has burnished, sultry undertones, it is very complimentary with amber, umber and golden yellows, even greens in turqoise and teal, and vibrant blues. 

As florals and stripes continue in popularity, you will know doubt see Marsala make a presence in 2015 in both men's and women's clothing. This also includes jewellery and accessories, look out for leather especially for handbags, hats, footwear and the newly emerging market of wearable technology.

IN BEAUTY

Marsala is flattering against many skin tones and eye colours, and pairs really well with monochromatic mixes of peachy pink, and sparkles against antiquated gold metallics (and rose gold!) great for lipstick and blush options. Marsala smokey eyeshadow can be worn from day to night, will make you look like a femme fatale in lipstick and nailpolish. Make up artists rejoice! Look for Marsala featured in beauty editorials in future magazine shoots!

Wishing you all a very safe and happy Christmas, and I hope you ring in 2015 in style and maybe with a little (or a lot!) of Marsala, enjoy!
Bx

Come say hi on Facebook and Instagram!
www.facebook.com/BelindaZanelloFashion
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Dîner en Blanc in Adelaide!

 “In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.”

― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

 In June I was in Paris. I was also overseas for the first time in my life (travelling around Europe) seeing iconic places, galleries, culture and more which I'd only previously seen in books and films, and now it was unbelievably real. Yet I was still pinching myself to the point of bruising, especially when I first laid eyes on this beautiful, haunting, social phenomenon which is known as Dîner en Blanc.

I was on my tour bus for the 'City Lights Tour' of Paris at dusk, going through the chaotic, jammed-up traffic in the heart of the bustling city. As we passed the chaos, we glided alongside the River Seine and there was this apparition of thousands upon thousands of people dressed soulfully only in white. 

There is something to be said about the power of colour theory and emotion (as a fashion graduate), I can only summon adjectives that make me sound like a new-age hippy, but in a word, all these people together, in white really were: 'soulful'. It struck a chord with everyone on the bus, especially the misty-eyed hopeless romantics like me who were just awe-struck and teary.

Our cameras madly clicking at this white sea of people but only capturing a blur of white and candle light as they talked and laughed at their chic, white picnic tables sharing wine and breaking bread with their loved ones.

I thought to myself, “If I were a Parisian, I’d be there wholeheartedly.” And I think I must have made a little wish in that moment, to be a part of that magic someday….

Flash forward 5 months and I’m back in Adelaide, sitting on the coach bus with some of my best friends (who need recognition and gratitude for going along with my eccentric and over enthusiastic pleading that we needed to experience this for the bucket list! I love you guys, thankyou for agreeing to support this fanatic), decked head to toe in white, even my shoes are white! (I painted them white with glitter).

 And we are packed and ready, travelling to a secret destination we have only been speculating on its whereabouts. The beach? The Barossa? Mount Lofty? Last year was the Adelaide Zoo... Where would you sum up the heart of our city and culture?... Answer: In the literal heart of our fair city, we were headed for Victoria Square! “The city seen from the Queensboro Bridge is always the city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and the beauty in the world.”
―F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

I think I need to back track a bit here and explain what Dîner en Blanc is and why we would get on a bus without knowing its destination first! Ok, so Dîner en Blanc started in 1988, launched by François Pasquier in Paris. He wanted to find his friends at a park for a picnic and suggested they all wear white to find each other easily. The rest is history.


It grew every year and the locations became more prestigious and eventually it spread overseas. On average Paris hosts nearly 15,000 people each year. This is Adelaide’s second year, hosting just over 900 people. 2500 have already signed up on the waiting list for next year.

“Guests are brought together from diverse backgrounds by a love of beauty and good taste. Thousands of people, dressed all in white, and conducting themselves with the greatest decorum, elegance, and etiquette, all meet for a mass “chic picnic” in a public space. Le Dîner en Blanc recalls the elegance and glamour of court society, and diners engage one another knowing they are taking part in a truly magical event.” – Dîner en Blanc Adelaide.

Once we arrived it was all systems go as hundreds of people began to alight from the many coach buses, in a really organized, elegant fashion. Our lovely leader Alice showed us where to set up our tables and chairs (we hired our chairs, brought a fold-up picnic table and strapped them to a collapsible sack-truck. Picnic crockery and food, etc. in large vintage picnic baskets).

We arrived at 7.30pm and were given a generous 45 minutes to set up and then once everyone was ready the signal was given to wave our white napkins in the air to signify it was time to eat and the picnic had officially begun! As part of the guidelines, you needed to bring a three-course picnic dinner, real crockery and cutlery and white cotton napkins.

(No plastic disposables!) This is for you. Feel special. You deserve to treat yourself once in a while, ok! In a group of four this was easy. One friend organized the antipasto, one friend did the main and the other friend did the dessert. I decorated our table with a white vintage bird cage, white roses, lots of battery-candles and silverware I’d collected from op shops.

It was delicious and also really nice to see everybody enjoying their food and laughing and smiling at this beautiful spectacle as the sun was starting to set and the last golden rays of light made everyone in white seem to glow. You felt special. Like you were getting married, except all the guests were too, thus a mass feeling of fabulousness was felt and the fairy tale was real.

Table decorations were stunning, everything from vintage parasols, to giant LED trees, to floral table pieces, giant roses, lights upon lights upon lights, it almost felt like the Diwali festival of light in India… Which brings us to the next part, my favourite part, the lighting of the sparklers to signify the dining part had ended and now the dancing could begin!

All 900+ people were given a sparkler each and on the signal they were lit up and what a sight! By now it was very dark, close to 9pm at night, and the sparklers were a sea of radiant, warm, ecstatic light all around you! When you stood up you could see it go on and on and on and the lights illuminated everyone’s faces and all you could see were smiles and laughter and the occasional smart phone selfie taking it all in!

People were in love with the sheer beauty and romanticism of what their eyes beheld. You were seeing it yet you were a part of it. As F. Scott Fitzgerald put it, “I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life.” –The Great Gatsby. It was unforgettable.

 There was a wonderful band playing also, the singer had a great voice and did a fantastic cover of a Christina Aguilera song from Burlesque. The DJ also put on a great variety of music from different decades to suit our broad variety of guests of all ages, and I mean all ages! I hope that when I’m of an older age I am still going to this!


Once the dance floor had opened up, the rest of the night was beautifully cruisey. A great time to go have your photo taken professionally, dance every time a favourite song came on (‘Shake it Off’ by Taylor Swift – half the female population left their tables to dance), keep eating and drinking and enjoy each other’s company.
 
“In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.”
―F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
 
 I somehow found the time to design and sew my own fishtail skirt and wore a Butterfly headpiece I’d created years ago, and surprisingly …I won the prize for ‘Best Dressed Female’! 

(There were also prizes for Best Table Decoration and Best Dressed Male, who I saw was in the full white tux with a top hat and ruffle shirt! 

Kudos to you, sir! Considering it was quite a hot, balmy night!) –In our group we were having our own competition for whose white clothes could stay cleanest the longest! 

By 11.30pm, almost like the Cinderella fairy-tale, we packed up our enchanted memories of this night, made our way back onto the coach bus, and glided back into reality, wondering if this had really happened, could it ever be imitated? How much was real? As we smiled and wondered whether it was all not a dream? A dream I hope to have again next year… 

Thankyou to the Adelaide organisers, team leaders and Every. Single. Person. Involved in making this a reality. I wished for you in Paris. Thankyou for bringing the magic home to Adelaide.
Belinda xx
www.facebook.com/BelindaZanelloFashion
Instagram: @belinda_zanello_fashion  


Source: http://adelaide.dinerenblanc.info/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DinerEnBlanc.Adelaide

featured in 'On The Record'

Lovely journalism student, Carney Sims has written a great article (feat. me) in 'On The Record - Uni SA online magazine' about life after winning the Blank Canvas and my views on Adelaide's Fashion Industry and it's future.

Click the link to read: http://www.ontherecord-unisa.com.au/?p=7202  

Thankyou, Carney! <3 br="" nbsp="">