Fashion / Halloween fashion
An alternative Halloween fashion special
Halloween has become increasingly popular in the UK, with people getting as excited about this holiday as they do for Christmas: decorating their homes with Halloween paraphernalia and sharing it all on social media from as early as October 1. There is even such a thing as a Halloween tree – just like the Christmas tree but with Halloween-inspired trinkets and hangings. This Halloween shit just got real and you need to get involved or get completely left behind.
However, Halloween has a real problem with fast fashion. So for those who love it and will be attending some of the many Halloween events going on in Bristol, from the infamous Bristol Zombie Walk to Motion’s Halloween 90s house party, here’s what some of Bristol’s independent designers and creatives recommend wearing to keep things local and a little bit more unique than those polyester wear-once high street costume nightmares.
Feline fun with Burnt Soul and Rebecca Rose Robinson. Photography by Luis Cruz
Bristol Lycra lovers Burnt Soul’s latest collection has a nineties feel inspired by the film The Craft. Think black PVC, dark burgundy velvets and chains with shimmering star prints and super hero style bodysuits.
is needed now More than ever
“We totally got into a 90s witching hour feel with our latest collection,” says Anna Crawford from Burnt Soul. “We’ve always been big fans of dressing up. Our classic pieces, from the animal print catsuits to our holographic glitters and UV pieces, will all get you noticed this Halloween.
“We’ve also just added a brand new range of accessories with sequinned, studded and fringed shoulder pads as well as harness skirts.”
Left: Rebecca Rose Robinson wears sequin star mesh Enchantress harness skirt (£90) and black and sequin Enchantress bodysuit (£100). Right: Harlequin bodysuit (£85), all by Burnt Soul. Photography by Luis Cruz
The fun doesn’t just stop at womenswear either: Burnt Soul Meggings are a sought-after piece. The best thing about Burnt Soul garments is that they are super comfy and work for clubbing and festivals too.
“Halloween for us is about letting our wild sides out,” continues Anna. “It’s all about the costume, the fake blood and the (bio) glitter. Personally, it also means sneaking as many of my friends as I can into my catsuits, and taking on the night with a Lycra army!”
Perfect vampy outfits for Halloween. Left: studded shoulder pad accessories (£60) worn with the Harlequin catsuit (£120). Middle: burgundy velvet Romy catsuit (£130). Right: super sexy black wet-look leggings (£70), all by Burnt Soul. Photography by Luis Cruz
Rebecca Rose Robinson is a Bristol based make-up artist, model and performer who works in a wide range of creative areas, from fashion to film and events. She specialises in creating other-worldly looks and characters.
“Halloween is definitely my favourite holiday,” says Rebecca. “I have always loved reading about all the old traditions of Halloween and its origins. I also have a huge appreciation of what it has developed into today. I love dressing up and expressing myself through clothes, hair and make-up, and Halloween is amazing because it gives absolutely everyone complete freedom to do this, to whatever extreme they want.”
Left: inspired by the circus, Rebecca created this beautiful clown with model and stylist Gemma Louise Williams. Right: the Mad Hatter character is from a range of inspiring and darker-than-dark Alice in Wonderland characters. Photography by Alistair Campbell.
“I just did the make-up for the Invisible Circus Halloween Ball at the Loco Klub,” Rebecca says. “I was briefed to make each of the performers look like different ghostly criminals and villains from Bristol history. It was amazing!”
The Alien Princess created by Rebecca for the glitter company Shine Shack. Photograph by Luis Cruz
Joh Rindom, owner of the fashion and lifestyle brand That Thing, has a few tips and tricks up her sleeve this Halloween for mixing independent designer garments with vintage pieces and vampy accessories to create an outfit that it is bang on trend.
“For us it’s all about translating seasonal occasions into something inspiring, inviting and wearable,” says Joh. “Halloween is a good chance to get creative.
“This year our window display features some of our independent designers and a few choice items from our handpicked vintage section. A black mid-length bodycon dress by Manners Wear is teamed with a cropped Winifred Rose trumpet sleeve sheer top to create a sassy look Morticia Adams would be proud to wear.”
With a little imagination and creativity you can style up fashion garms to recreate your perfect (and not quite so predictable) Halloween outfits. Left: Manners London catsuit (£79). Middle: Neat Frontage top (£45). Right: That Thing dress (£24). All garments available at That Thing
A minimal, monochrome Halloween window display for That Thing on Stokes Croft.
Left: That Thing mesh T-shirt dress (£26) worn with fishnets (£6) and A Million and One hot pants (£25). Middle: black That Thing tassel fan earrings (£10). Right: Winifred Rose trumpet sleeve top (£40)
It’s not just about finding a Halloween look, but also using the right fabrics, Joh says: “We’re big fans of anything velvet and we’ve got a good range of tops and dresses in right now.
“If you’re heading out this weekend, pop in for things like face gems, bio-glitters and big tubes of eyelash glue which will keep it all in place for the entire night. We’ve also got fishnet tights, feather capes and some chic but ghoulie items that will be sure to bring out your inner goth.”
Find out more about Burnt Soul, Rebecca Rose Robinson and That Thing
Main image by Luis Cruz Photography for Burnt Soul
Read our Fashion Editor Emma’s blog No Debutante
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
