Poison Ivy for the Rose

The amazing Drea Rose Deville requested a custom order from Missing James to feature in the first issue of JYNX Alt Lifestyle Magazine coming out this North American summer. A while back she died her gorgeous locks blood red and was inspired to do a poison ivy shoot, so requested a Missing James take on the Batman Vixen. The result - an underbust long line corset dress with matching pasties in an emerald green Chinese brocade with satin panels, velvet boning channels and sequin vine detailing.

The Chinese brocade was bought from a vintage fabric seller off Etsy to create a one of a kind piece. Carefully, I cut out all the panels of the corset - alternating in brocade and plain emerald satin.

Two layers of thick calico in each panel make the corset really strong and a final satin lining keeps it smooth on the skin. The panels are all cut and ready to be assembled.

The first step of assembly is to sew in the busk. Because the corset is a long line corset dress, I used the longest busk available - only 16 inches! There are an extra 4 inches of hem along the bottom under the busk, but this allows the wearer to sit down. For instructions on how to insert a split busk, review an old post from 2010 - http://missingjames.blogspot.com.au/2010/11/inserting-split-busk.html .

A zipper foot makes it easier to sew in the busk.

To make it easier to sew so many layers together, I basted each of the panels so they wouldn't slip and slide while I was making the boning channels.

One all of the panels are sewn together, the boning channels can then be stitched into place.

The corset then begins to take shape:

To be able to tie up the back of the corset, eyelets need to be punched along the back 2 panels for the lacing. I was lucky to have just received my new eyelet punch, so this step of the process was much easier than it has been in the past. 

The corset can now be placed onto a model for a fitting and only a few minor changes had to be made.

After hours of hand finishing the inside seams and sewing on the velvet boning channels, the final sequin details and velvet bias binding could be added to finish the corset.

The finished product!

To top off this gorgeous underbust and make it slightly more modest - a pair of handmade custom pasties to match!

Voila! A burlesque take on the vixen, Poison Ivy.

Bella's MBA Costume

The amazing Bella Bee Sweet and I collaborated on her stunning canary yellow costume for the Miss Burlesque Australia Sydney heats and the photos are finally out!! The event was on Friday and supposedly was amazing, but unfortunately I was still on the plane back from Japan. I had made this gorgeous yellow silk under-bust corset for Bella and she finished the rest of her costume with yellow chiffon and lace, and blinged up the whole deal! She looked amazing, and in my opinion, one of the best.


xx

Photo by Nadine Garland

peak a bloom!

Here's another peak at the photo shoot of my Flower Act with Zoran from Dream Photography with make-up by Nick Plummer!

dancing in the dark

Below are photos from my recent photo shoot with Alex from Hoi Images. It's our take on "20s fetish burlesque" with make up by the amazing Nick Plummer.

I'm wearing the classic Black Beaded Fringe Waist Cincher by Missing James. Custom orders for this corset are available at the Etsy store.

Bloom me up, Scotty

I've been dying to create a flower costume every since I designed the perfect flower tutu for Pippin that was cut even before we started making it. Luckily, all the materials were already bought by the production, so when it came time to make a flower costume for myself I had everything I needed already! The only good thing that came out of that production :D

So when the final Peel for 2012 came up, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to break out the flowers. Dancing to "White Rabbit" by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, a tutu wasn't quite appropriate so a belly dance costume was made and moved tantricly with me.

The final piece-de-resistance was the unravelling of the skirt, which was a design element from the beginning. The final piano solo of the music works perfectly for this act, and stripping down to the breathtaking c-string.

Below are the preview shots from my photo shoot with the amazing Dream Photography. Make up and Body Paint was done by Nick Plummer.

Glamazon

Missing James is honoured to create a unique costume piece for the glamazon herself, Miss Holly J'Adoll! Tune into Miss Burlesque Australia to see what Missing James has created for her.

Check out Holly on her Website:
http://misshollyjadoll.com/

Alice's Talking Flowers

For my next act I've decided to create the most amazing flower costume yet. After designing PIPPIN last year, I have a garage full of unused fake flowers that were bought to make gorgeous burlesque costumes for the production but were never used. The sexy rendition of "White Rabbit" by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals creates the best narrative for an onstage performance by one of Alice's talking flowers. The costume will consist of a large head piece, flower covered bodice and skirt - very eastern influence with a belly dancing touch. The piece-de-resistance will be that the skirt unravels into a flower garland to show the bits all audience members want to see - a c-string underneath! This is the furthest I've ever gone, and I'm feeling quite comfortable about it because I'll have full body paint done by the amazing Nick Plummer (MUA). Nick and I have been friends for years and have worked together closely on many productions (including PIPPIN) as costume designer and assistant. With the costume by Missing James and the make-up by Nick Plummer, I don't think Alice's flowers will have ever looked so good!

Check out Nick Plummer's work on his facebook page and please 'like' it!

http://www.facebook.com/NickPlummerMakeupAndSpecialEffects?fref=ts

Oh so sweet!

I am proud to announce that Missing James by Maple Rose will be collaborating with the amazing Bella Bee Sweet for her costume designs for Miss Burlesque Australia! Bella and I have been incredibly close friends for a number of years and actually met on a corset making course - so we've both been experimenting with similar styles in costuming since. Bella is another amazing burlesque performer, songstress and fire dancer, and is incredibly classy as her stage persona leaving the audience grasping for more with her choice to keep clothes on. Some incredibly sassy and elegant numbers will sure to be the result of this career-changing collaboration.

Follow Bella's quest towards MBA on her blog www.bellabeesweet.com 

The Epitome of Good Girls Gone Bad

Miss Maple Rose will be performing her "Elizabeth the First turns dominatrix" at 34B's Good Girls Gone Bad on September 14th. It's the epitome of good girls gone bad. The virgin queen turns into a sex pot. Wowza!

Get tickets now or you may risk missing out!

What's Next?

So, I guess some of you are wondering what's next on the cards for Miss Maple Rose and her designs? Well, next week on August 29th, Miss Maple will be headlining the Queen of Diamond's Edition of THE PEEL, debuting her new ELIZABETH I act.

Yes, that's right, the little red headed rocket will be impersonating the most famous red head in history, THE VIRGIN QUEEN.

The dress is going to be an act in itself - a modern take on the Elizabethan wide skirt and carrying a tea pot and cup.  Beautiful sequin black silk will adorn the bodice and thick red velvet will make up the skirt. These glamourous garments will slowly be peeled off to reveal the woman underneath.

So come down to the Slide Bar on August 29th for  yet another PEEL!!! Tickets only $10 and available from the Slide Bar Website...http://slide.com.au/shows/the-peel/

Dream Photography

The beautiful Zoran from Dream Photography took some stunning photos of me and my fans last Friday. Here are some of the shots.

www.dreamphotography.com.au

Black Cherry, just under a month away!!

Come help me celebrate my Birthday and cheer my little ass on at the BLACK CHERRY burlesque knockout on May 19. The more people screaming my name in pleasure, the more chance I have of winning. And I should win, cause its my birthday!!

Black Cherry Burlesque Knock out!!!

On May 19th (my birthday...*cough* *cough*), I'll be performing for my life at the Black Cherry's BURLESQUE KNOCK-OUT!!!!!!

I'll be fighting against the gorgeous Bella Bee Sweet, Mama La Roux and many other gorgeous baby burlesque performers for a spot on the main stage of Black Cherry on July 21st.

BUT THE 19TH OF MAY IS THE IMPORTANT DATE TO REMEMBER!!

If you're in Sydney, come support the birthday girl in her 50s get up for the knockout.

I need your cheers to keep me alive (I'm like Tinkerbell and I need you to believe in me).

So come to BLACK CHERRY on the 19TH OF MAY to support MAPLE ROSE on HER BIRTHDAY in the BURLESQUE KNOCKOUT in 50s style.

BLACK CHERRY'S BURLESQUE KNOCK-OUT

Black Magic

I chinsed out. I confess. But it was to save time!!

I bought a simple black underbust corset from Kornelia's Kloset online and embellished it instead of making a corset from scratch. It's only for a costume and does not need to cinch anything, so I think it's fine. It also doesn't look cheap now that I've finished with it. Mwahaha.

Matching bra and undies are in the works.

All for 34B's Sin City next Friday. Who's coming?

Hot Box Burlesque

I'm filling in for the beautiful Pepper Grinde, who unfortunately is out at sea with the Navy, for this week's Hot Box Burlesque at the Strawberry Hills Hotel in Sydney. It should be a fabulous night with some amazing girls and it's free!!!

New items up on Etsy

There are 2 brand new items for sale on the Missing James Etsy Store!!!

Check it out HERE!

Get yourself a hot little sexy sequin number all hand sequined by yours truly! Look like a "Bad Girl" in a custom number in any colour, any size and any shape!!

Also, this true blue corset is finally up for sale. I've given it a bit of love, but it's given it right back. This beauty is a one of a kind, hand finished corset with fringe skirt. Get yourself a pair of the custom fringe undies and with this baby you'll be ready to shimmy and shake!

If you want any custom order please contact me through my Etsy store. I'm also willing to make any custom corsets of your choice with any material and either plastic or steal boning. Prices vary on materials and time. 

Missing James Etsy Store will be found at the following url address:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/mdalejohnson

Sin City deets

What's Next?

Coming up on April 13th:

SIN CITY AT 34B

My big break! I'm so excited to be performing along side the burlesque stars of Sydney, such as Lauren LaRouge, Holly J'aDoll, Kelly-Ann Doll and many more. 

We're going back to the classic burlesque of Sydney in the 60s. Travelling back in time to the world of The Pink Pussycat, The Staccato Club, The Persian Room and Les Girls as well as the glamorous cabarets The Roosevelt, The Cheetah and Chequers – all once under the close hand of underworld impresario Abe Saffron.

I'm currently looking for inspiration and came across a few amazing videos from the 60s.

Sheree in "Tiger Dance"

Kultig! Blaze Starr Burlesque (Blaze Starr) 

Virginia Bell: Busty Burlesque

The Peel:: Second Birthday :: give me more

Here are some more stunning photos of my act from The Peel.

These babies are done by Steve Wall-Photography

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003004685521

The Peel:: Second Birthday

Another Peel has come and gone.

My 'prison' act went pretty well but could have been much better.

The poor DJ had to deal with my crappy CD which kept ejecting, so I ran upstairs to get my phone which has my music on it, but then when i got onstage it locked!!!! So nerve wracking, but good to get something like that out of the way.

It's been a busy week and it'll be a busier weekend. I had the Peel on Wednesday, Tattoo Expo and Dome bar today, and then the Pinup Kittens Magazine launch tomorrow and the tattoo expo again on Sunday. Whew! it's a big one.

Photos by Agent Declan

http://www.facebook.com/pages/agentdeclan-photography/122275761139291