Erotique for the People 

Incase you missed out on the excitement and pleasure that was to be had at the EXTRAVAGNA DE EROTIC, we finally got the pictures back from super photographer ERIK FRIEND! The event was the CRAZY-est we’ve ever had here: wall to wall people, spilling drinks everywhere, displays being knocked over… it was awesome.

The evening started off with a few glitches. I’ve never planned / executed a fashion show and it was a lot of work. I luckily found a sexy bunch of babes to show of our selected sexy fashion. A big thank you to SUMMER, JESS, SIDNEY, and KENDRA. During the rehearsal, we had a to close the store, cuz we couldn’t have customers coming in and seeing all the boobs and other random nakedness that comes with a crazy dress rehearsal. But we quickly got our plan down and then opened the store back up to the eager line of patrons waiting outside the windy October weather (the line was actually 3 people… but STILL it was a line).

Soon after, the store began to fill with customers and friends of the artist, MICHELLE CALIA, who’s art was displayed to kick off this Erotique Extravaganza. Her art consists of burlesque and pin up style charactures with various themes. For this show she unleashed: “Carnival”, “Dinner Girls,” and “The Stars Are”. They were well received (my favorite is Sapphire).

It was almost time for the fashion show, so I prep the deep house music (which I love to use while I pretend swish thru the streets and gay clubs of Seattle). I dart back to the dressing room while the models are frantically trying to figure out who’s corset is who’s and what panties to wear with what top.

“Tonight is a civilized event” I sarcastically say with a lectured tone. “That means no drugs, tripping each other on the runway, and no cat-fights.. until I go get my camera out, cuz that shit is SOOO funny to document”. We all laughed and then got into position. I cleverly rigged up a pink polyester curtain to open by way of rope and pulley system so as the models stepped out (back lit with fluorescent light, of course), I would pull the string and the curtains would magically open as the models descended the runway.

I am so grateful for all the fashion designers who worked their asses off to get their work ready for the show:

- Nicole Rae Styer: We featured her awesome corsets. She takes one of a kind apparel and adds all kinds of beauty and wonder to them by way of sequins, doilies, ribbon, yarn, and just about every other craft accessory imaginable. The corsets are my personal favorite since they are already sexy and not usually scene as street fashion… but they are slowly making a comeback.

- Cute Can Kill:  Mastermind behind this up and coming fashion label is Carly DeGraeve. She was able to bust out 3 new panty designs. Imagine you are at a cotton-candy circus with rainbows, glitter unicorns and wood sprites in naughty costumes and you basically get the idea of her style.

- Derriere: Seattle based babes Kristie and Jessica fashioned a slue of new work for the show. Among one of the favorites was a panty / bra combo made of mint-aqua jersey and pink zebra print accents. AWESOME

Shortly after the fashion show, it was time for the burlesque dance numbers. First to perform? Sweet-heart and candy “stripper”, BUNNY MONROE. Her strawberry milkshake brought all the boyz to the yard (she could teach you… but she’d have to charge).

Up next: Miss Lucky Penny dazzled us with here exotic dance complete with pink parasol, luxurious mink shall, and over the top feather fans. And since both performances were in the window, he street was packed with on-lookers… not expecting to see pasties and tassels on their way to get pasta and topenade at the popular Italian restaurant next door.

As the night went on (and as I got drunker and drunker) it was clear that everyone was blown away but the events of the night. It is my dream that ALL our events at the store would be this crazy. Who knows… next time YOU might be able to make it.

* A great big thank you to Erik Friend - ShutterBANG.com, our photographer for the event. For booking and price info you can reach him at . You can see all the pictures at: http://shutterbang.com/clients/081004-extravaganzadeerotique/