6 steps to pull off Cruella Halloween costume

MANILA, Philippines — It’s spooking time once more!  

Time to bring out that old Halloween costume or create a new, all-original one.

Here are some ideas from fashion designer Marianne Martin, owner of Nouvelle Haute Couture, located at Robinsons Galleria Ortigas, White Plains, Quezon City, and soon, Robinsons Ermita:

• Decide on a look or theme. Once you’ve done this,  expand on your design. If you want to dress up like Cruella De Vil, the bad girl who wants to steal puppies in 101 Dalmatians, go for gold sequined pants and leather motorcycle-style jacket. A black dress will also do.
• Recycle. Repurpose old clothes or fabric by  dying or diluting its color. Dye a pair of white gloves red, get an old vest and add white dots for that Cruella look. If you don’t want to look like Cruella, just put up those vintage clothes for that gypsy or witch effect. Or add interesting patchwork, beads, sequins and/or embroidery to old clothes to spice it up.
• Accessorize. Nothing mimics the Cruella look more than coming in a white fur coat and holding a cigarette holder with confidence. If this isn’t your way of standing out for Halloween, you can wear necklaces, bandanas, belts and bangles for that gypsy look. Get an old broom to complement your witch attire.
• Create. Get a piece of cardboard, cut out a pattern, paste black satin fabric, bejewel with a buckle and you have a witch’s hat!   Complement this with a pair of boots, and you’re good to go.
• Use the power of makeup. The Cruella look is easy: dark, green smokey eyeshadow with winged liner, heavy contouring and a deep red lipstick.
• Choose black or grey. This is the traditional color, although you may opt for neon if you want to come as an anime character.