If you're still wondering what to wear to Halloween, ask any costume designer worth their salt and they'll tell you: 'a little mix of classy and gore always works'. This is the mantra that guides creatives like Frédérique Arguello, Jeanne Fleming, Machine Dazzle, James Nguyen, Alexander Gottlieb, Mike Marino and more as they concoct elaborate costumes for Halloween.
In an interview with the Guardian US, designers have shared their take on what makes a memorable costume. For the most part, it's about performance - embracing your chosen character completely. Take Superman, for example. If you spend the night dressed up in a Superman costume, people will treat you like Superman all night long, and that can be quite empowering.
Arguello suggests going for 'rock icons', with great makeup opportunities, wigs and Ben Nye palettes for an easy transformation. The mythical Hollywood couples are also always winners - think Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall or Lucy and Desi Arnaz.
For those last-minute costume conundrums, Gottlieb recommends rummaging through your closet. Take a leotard and pair of tights, add some glitter, and suddenly you're Farrah Fawcett from Charlie's Angels. Marino suggests opting for a mask - it's easy to find professional ones online or create your own with Mehron Makeup.
Ultimately the key is transformation. Avoid store-bought costumes that are just commercially recognizable characters. Machine Dazzle says 'avoid boring'. You have the power to make something you're proud of, which is what Halloween is all about.
For this year's parade theme - 'It's a Potluck!' Fleming expects to see folks dressed up as sushi, ketchup jars, fruits and tables set for tea. Gottlieb will likely be seeing lots of Glindas and Elphabas while Nguyen thinks they might appear as the couple from the Coldplay concert.
The final question is what are these creatives wearing this year? The answer varies - Arguello's going for a Jonathan Davis look from Korn, Fleming has hot pink leather jacket and purple hair, Marino hasn't even thought of it yet (they're procrastinators), while Machine Dazzle goes by pigeon shit.
In an interview with the Guardian US, designers have shared their take on what makes a memorable costume. For the most part, it's about performance - embracing your chosen character completely. Take Superman, for example. If you spend the night dressed up in a Superman costume, people will treat you like Superman all night long, and that can be quite empowering.
Arguello suggests going for 'rock icons', with great makeup opportunities, wigs and Ben Nye palettes for an easy transformation. The mythical Hollywood couples are also always winners - think Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall or Lucy and Desi Arnaz.
For those last-minute costume conundrums, Gottlieb recommends rummaging through your closet. Take a leotard and pair of tights, add some glitter, and suddenly you're Farrah Fawcett from Charlie's Angels. Marino suggests opting for a mask - it's easy to find professional ones online or create your own with Mehron Makeup.
Ultimately the key is transformation. Avoid store-bought costumes that are just commercially recognizable characters. Machine Dazzle says 'avoid boring'. You have the power to make something you're proud of, which is what Halloween is all about.
For this year's parade theme - 'It's a Potluck!' Fleming expects to see folks dressed up as sushi, ketchup jars, fruits and tables set for tea. Gottlieb will likely be seeing lots of Glindas and Elphabas while Nguyen thinks they might appear as the couple from the Coldplay concert.
The final question is what are these creatives wearing this year? The answer varies - Arguello's going for a Jonathan Davis look from Korn, Fleming has hot pink leather jacket and purple hair, Marino hasn't even thought of it yet (they're procrastinators), while Machine Dazzle goes by pigeon shit.
like that's the goal lol, i mean its all about gettin creative & havin fun w/ ur costume this year, dont @ me 
gotta say tho, machine dazzle's pigeon poop idea is lowkey genius 
they should've asked the designers what not to wear lol machine dazzle's got a good one with that pigeon poop pic 
... like, you can totally create your own character or go for something that's gonna turn heads 
. Store-bought costumes are so boring 
. You need to put some effort into it, add some makeup, wigs, accessories - whatever it takes to make it pop 
.
. And if all else fails, just rummage through your closet and whip up something quick 
. So don't be afraid to get creative, try new things, and have fun with it! 
seriously though, who makes these crazy costumes and how do you even get the makeup right? 
btw machine dazzle wearing pigeon poop is just the most...
. I mean, who doesn't love a good transformation? My fave is when you can rock a classic look and still bring your own vibe to it. Like, I saw this girl last year dressed up as Princess Leia, but she added these sickly cool sunglasses to give it an edgy twist 
. And don't even get me started on group costumes - my squad and I went as the Avengers, but we made our own Iron Man suits instead of buying them. It was so much fun! What about you guys? Got any epic costume ideas for this year's parade theme?
and those designers are killing it with their ideas i love that machine dazzle is going for pigeon shit tho lol who knew that was a thing?
some ppl r saying u shud just rock ur own style 4 halloween n not worry bout wht others r w8ing... 
i kinda agree, bcs if u r w8ing fr ppl 2 recognize ur costume, u might b w8in 4evr!