Diner en Blanc Adelaide 2016 Costume!

Le Diner en Blanc, an international phenomenon, (and one of my favourite events) has now hit Australia in the last several years, and this one was my third!

In summary, it is a mass-picnic you sign up for, location unknown! You must wear white (originally the idea came from Paris 25 years ago, so that you could find each other!) and then you are taken to your secret location, to set up and picnic, dance and enjoy the vino, live music and good times with friends! Once the clock strikes 11pm, you are packed up and out of the location, as though it never really happened! Quite a fairytale, hence why I adore this time of year!

To learn more head to: https://adelaide.dinerenblanc.com/

For 2016, our secret Adelaide location was Elder Park by the river, illuminated with beautiful lights, photobooth stations, stage with live music, and even a Hair and Make-Up Station!

My design this year was inspired by Elizabethan collars, flower crowns, and as a fashion design teacher I really wanted some STEM (science, tech, engineering, maths) thrown in for good measure!Since the Met Gala, I've noticed more electronic designs making their way into the mainstream media, and can't wait to explore more of this myself!

Around 250 LED lights, 2 fibre optic lights, 4 battery packs concealed, 6 bouquets of white roses, 5 metres of metal wire, metres of lace and fabric, a headband, a dozen glue gun sticks and at least 20 hours of pattern drafting, sewing and so much hand seeing and gluing!

Thankyou to those who supported my design along it's construction, in particular photographer Julius Zieleniecki who documented these incredible videos below. Also many thanks to those who approached me on the night to talk about my costume. I'm glad you're supporting local Adelaide designers such as myself! Please continue to buy local and support our art! Thankyou Diner en Blanc Adelaide for another stellar night! Until next time! 

To keep in touch with my work:
Facebook: Belinda Zanello Fashion & Costume
Instagram: @belinda_zanello_fashion

Three creative years of designing and making outfits for dinerenblancadl ! 2014, 2015 & 2016. This year may be my swan song due to starting graduate work in 2017, but only time will tell how well I can juggle things!

Cows for Cambodia!

At the start of this year, I took a bold move to try something new, (which I've always wanted to go for): #carpediem: Travelling solo and (as a future teacher) working in a less-fortunate school and giving my best via volunteering.

I had looked at various 'student-teacher' exchange programs where student-teachers can travel abroad and volunteer in other countries but they were always too over-priced and not very realistic for a university student's budget.

Then at the start of the year I came across via facebook 'Cows for Cambodia' and the rest is history!

Here is my little spiel about the donation I need to fundraise (I have already paid for my flights & accomodation) but we are also required to fundraise $2000 to donate to the families of Siem Reap in Cambodia.

NOW I'm going to drop an EXCLUSIVE BOMBSHELL tonight!!

I have in the pipeline plans and materials ready to go to start producing a small, one-off line of jewellery, accessories and fashion all inspired by Cambodia, which I aim to sell online this year before November, possibly via my Etsy store. PLEASE keep in touch with my facebook page www.facebook.com/BelindaZanelloFashion for updates! 

ALSO I am putting 100% of ALL profit from my client Bridal Fashion Illustrations and any illustrations towards the Cows for Cambodia donation. 

So far I have raised $870 out of the $2000! Please spread the word and help me reach my target! 
 TO DONATE, HEAD OVER TO MY GO FUND ME ACCOUNT AT:
https://www.gofundme.com/BelCowsForCambodia

www.gofundme.com/BelCowsForCambodia

Dear Friends!

As a student-teacher it's been a big goal of mine to volunteer in another country & offer whatever support, compassion and care I can in a school environment. This is my chance in November 2016 to be a part of something I know I'll never forget, filled with gratitude to my friends who supported this cause, "Cows for Cambodia" (see http://www.cowsforcambodia.com/) (See also "South Aussie with Cosi").

Not only will we be volunteering in Siem Reap's (Cambodian) schools teaching English, but also we get to help build houses and deliver rice, but most importantly participate in 'Cows for Cambodia'  working with Cambodian families (especially single mothers) to break the poverty cycle.

And it all begins with having a cow which provides milk, manure, pulls their cart, plows their field, and is treasured by the family (and under contract, well-nourished and vaccinated, etc). By having a cow, families are breaking free from the poverty cycle, their children are attending school and less villagers are dying from preventable diseases. It is an incredible change!

SO WHERE DO YOU COME IN?

I am already funding my own flights and accomodation but am required to additionally fundraise $2000 as a donation which I will personally see put to use in Cambodia across various purposes with Cows for Cambodia! And I will take photos! You know me!

 TO DONATE, HEAD OVER TO MY GO FUND ME ACCOUNT AT:
https://www.gofundme.com/BelCowsForCambodia

Women of the World Charity Fashion Show!

I am a student member of the Uni SA team which is raising funds and awareness for the IWDA: International Womens Development Agency. 

After four hard months of planning, preparing and securing sponsors and participants we launched our big fundraiser night: "Women of the World" on Fri 13th May 2016, in the Bradley Forum, City West Campus of Uni SA.

We raised over our target of $2000 to donate towards the IWDA. ($2574)

The night included drinks, canapes and finger food served by Uni SA volunteers, stalls from supporting groups and sellers and sponsors. Traditional cultural garments from around the world were modelled by our international and multicultural Uni SA students. 

We had students representing: Vietnam, Kenya, India, Afghanistan, Italy, Malaysia, Japan, Somalia, Samoa, and more!

There was live music, multicultural dancer performances, goodie bags and door prizes too! Overall our feedback was that it was a very fun, successful and professional night and we were commended by Uni SA staff and the public. 

We are so grateful to every volunteer, participant, team member and guest who came and supported our event! Thankyou again! 


Runway Photography by Wedding Photography by Israel Baldago
 
  Local Adelaide designers:

• couture + love + madness
• Yacouba
• Nichole Parnell Bridal
• Living Journey Creations
• Belinda Zanello: Fashion & Costume

Dance Performances:

• The Red Dancers
• Brazilian Dance Fusion

Vocal Artist:

• Deayana-Mai Batten

Make Up Artist:

• Makeup By Lucia Fidow

Promotional Shoot and Graphic Design:

• Julius Zieleniecki Photographer

Camilla Illustration, Burnside Village Comp!

A few months ago Burnside Village hosted a fashion illustration competition, to showcase the stores/designers/labels within their shopping centre.

While I may not have won for my Camilla, 'El Duende' Winter '16 garment in watercolour, it still receieved some sweet praise from the official Camilla instagram account which made my heart skip a beat!

This was the best prize of them all!

Thank you, Camilla! x










Check out my instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/belinda_zanello_fashion/

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