Deciding that this year's Masquerade Ball outfit was going to be Steampunk-y on my end was a pretty simple decision. But the thing that really clinched it was the prospect of making a really sweet-ass leather jacket for Peter to wear onstage--I mean, the guys were opening for Blackalicious at a Masquerade Ball. Come on. For those who don't know him, Peter is not a "ripped-tank, funnel-the-groupies-in-my-direction" sort of musician. He's the "get unjustifiably excited at the mention of a B7th-diminished chord" sort of musician. I am under the impression that for years his bandmates have tried (unsuccessfully) to get him into something other than a t-shirt or button-down onstage. And I, dear reader, have triumphed where lesser fellows have faltered. I created that leather jacket. And boy, did he look good.
There wasn't a direct inspiration for this particular jacket. The design came to me in a dream-vision; I knew I wanted it to have an almost armor-like quality, and to have buckles on the back and gold buttons to match the accents on the corset I'd be wearing.
I was at somewhat of a disadvantage as Peter, you know, lives across the country from me, but I measured him during a visit and then pieced it together as best I could without him being here. After sending the jacket to him, I had my good friend Katrina fit it and make alterations.
Pieces cut and pinned together:
Finished product (without sleeve extensions; Katrina added them later to accommodate Peter's unnaturally long arms):
Add to that a pretty sweet mask and the night of the show the compliments started rolling in. I had more than one guy admit to me (in a startled, yet surprisingly accepting way) that they had never found Peter more sexually attractive.
I hadn't been home or seen my friends in two months. The best part about that night was just seeing face after face burst into smiles and hugs and welcome-homes. My corset fit. The band sounded amazing. My friends were beautiful. And Peter?
Well, he seemed pretty happy.
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