Witchy Woman

The season Spin Doctor have won my heart once again with their gothic style mini  dresses and continue to feed my addiction of giant bell sleeves.  I honestly don't know how I lasted as long as I did without adding this 70's style sleeve to my wardrobe.

 

Willow Mini Dress - £49.99

With some strong hippie/gothic vibe this season each dress has the perfect fit for curves. The Willow Mini Dress is faux stretch velvet with a fitted bust, stunning draped skirt, wide bell sleeves and a super sexy lace up front. Fully adjustable lacing makes the bust shoe as little or as much skin and you are comfortable with and in the 2XL this is actually a little too roomy. Just like the previous Hell Bunny review this fabric is really stretchy and roomy so I think an XL would work better for me around the arms and waist. 

While super roomy the fabric is absolutely amazing to wear and feels so light. I can't wait until Autumn and Winter to wear this with tights, thigh high boots and much more. Currently the Willow is only available in black but I hope that a forest green or oxblood version is released. I'd also love to see a maxi version of this dress.

Just look at that sleeve! It's such a flattering style for a girl like myself who likes to cover up and not show too much arm as it elongates and slims. While this is listed as a mini I find the length perfect as it hits mid thigh and does not show too much.



After Death Mini Dress - £58.99

After shooting and reviewing the Griselda Mini Dress I fell in love with the fit of this little number. The flowing fabric is perfect for an Aussie summer whole still keeping to that whimsical gothic retro feel. Just like the Griselda I'm wearing this After Death mini in a 2XL and it fits like a dream. My bust is a little larger than the seem but that's just my life these days. The print however hides this a little and the faux buttons draw your attention up to a higher point.

 

The print features skulls, moths and stags on a green background which is almost a dirty seafoam shade and it's absolutely stunning up close. This colour is very different from what I'm use to wearing but I actually love how it pairs with my red hair and it has inspired me to try more of these dirty greens and blues.



Length wise this is a little shorter than the Willow but still good if you have killer pins and works amazing with tights in winter. If this style is a little too short for you though the Dark Sea Maxi is a purple and black version of this dress and I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to Damien Bowerman for working with me on these images and many more. It's always a brilliant shoot when we get together.

The Dark Dead Sea

Since the arrival of Hell Bunny's darker gothic themed clothing range, Spin Doctor, I've been absolutely in love. This range is always full of amazing fits, great flowing fabrics and the most amazingly detailed prints. 

Last season I fell hard for print in all styles but this season I've gone gaga for everything! So get ready for a long read, lots of pictures and some Stevie Nicks realness.



Griselda Mini Dress - $69.95 (Australian seller)
Bat Choker Black - $29.95
Restyle DIABOLICAL & ROSES HEADBAND - $39.99
Sonsee Opaque 100 Denier Full Tights in Black - $34.95

Spin Doctor are killing it this season with mini dresses and the Griselda is absolutely stunning. It's fully lined so there's no need to worry about black bras, stockings or underwear. A float chiffon fabric with sheer flare sleeve and black faggoting on the elbows.

The fabric is an all over print featuring skeletons, roses, spiders, moths, rib cages and webs. Usually these kinds of images can be really bold and brash but due to the white fabric it looks soft and almost floral. 

This style has a fitted bustline and flows direct down from this section. I tend to no matter what size be it an XL or a 2XL not completely fit into the bust section but the print makes that a non issue as it's all all over design. I do think a little more space is needed in the plus sizes for the bust as I've always had this issue and I'd love all my boobies to fit in! But this has not stopped me wearing this dress for one second! 

I'm wearing a 2XL and the fit is post on. Firm around the waist and arms so it really holds you perfectly in pace. This dress though structured is so comfortable and is a winter staple. The thickness of the fabric seems to be more summer related but due to the lining you can pair this with stockings and coats all winter. 

Accessory wise I knew EXACTLY how I wanted to style the Griselda. I ordered this amazing bat choker in black and purple from Tragic beautiful and I love how well it pairs with the colours featured in the fabric. 

This choker is lightweight and easy to wear yet looks super expensive. The bold purple jewel really pops and for a little extra oomph I also paired this with my new Restyle Diabolical and Rose headband. I already own the deer antlers version of this and I've used it in many shoots so I wanted something a little bit more evil priestess looking. These two pieces pair perfectly together and look like they were made for all of the outfits in this shoot. 

 RENAISSANCE MINI DRESS - £44.99 (Spindoctor Webstore)

RENAISSANCE MINI DRESS - $74.95  (Australian seller)

Now this is a style I did not think would really work for me but after seeing these results I love it! The renaissance mini is a short sleeve little number with an empire waist and and a ruffle capped sleeve. While there is a sectioned bust there is less of a fit issue as this dress has a higher neckline. 

I'm wearing every style in this review in a size 2XL and this specific dress is perfect. From the waist to the bust, arms etc everything is perfect. The cut of this mini almost reminds me of 60's nighties so I can't wait to see future fabrics in this exact cut. 

Lined only in the bust but featured a black so you won't have an sheerness issues. The print features images from a classic Renaissance painting and the soft colours and all those renaissance details make this a collectible print. I'd absolutely love this in a pussy bow top or full skirt. 

DARK SEA MAXI DRESS - £62.99 (Spindoctor Webstore)

Dark Sea Maxi Dress - $99.95 (Australian Seller)

Oh how I adore a maxi. There is something magical about a maxi and even more so when it features bold flared sleeves. I have 3 Spin Doctor dresses with this exact sleeve and it's the most flattering and comfortable style in my collection.

This fabric can we please get everything on earth created in this fabric! The print features sirens, skeletons, sea horses and sea shells on a filigree and star background. In maxi form this fabric looks almost like a starry sky but when you look close you'll see all the amazing details. 

I wear maxi's all summer but I've been looking for more styles to pair with stockings and boots in winter and this maxi is the perfect winter version. Style it with your favourite Hell Bunny coats or amazing black chunky knits, cardigans and faux fur vests. 

The bust and sleeve on this maxi is exactly like the fist mini dress but the darker fabric makes any visible sign of bust line issues disappear. 

With a lined bust and inbuilt black slip dress you will be able to show a little leg through the sheerness. I love the fit of every garment in this post and I'm really loving Spin Doctors range and the variety that comes with each season. 

 

I paired this look with these amazing black glitter Pentagram earrings and I just love how much they pop on my ivory skin. I'm such a sucker for a pentagram. I snapped these up at Tragic beautiful but they seem to be sold out!

Because of our location and the smoke I did not have a the ability to show my two favourite accessories used in this shoot but luckily I snuck down an alley way on the way home and captures these amazing boots and my new go to hand bag.

EVE BAG  - $57.95

MUERTO-900 Black Vegan Leather Boots - $169.95

Sonsee Opaque 100 Denier Full Tights in Black - $34.95

This purse, these boots oh my lordy!! I'm a huge fan of Poizen Industries hand bags as I use the knuckle duster purse daily so when I saw the EVE bag at Tragic Beautiful I had to snap it up. Full of bold silver buckles and rivets and is the perfect style for daily use as it fits everything I could possibly need. The strap is long enough to fit comfortably on your shoulder and I just loved how bold this looks with all these looks. 

My shoe of choice for all of these outfits was the Demonia MUERTO-900 Black Vegan Leather Boot from my beloved ShoeMe.  I've been eyeing these ankle boots of for a while now and I have to say they are even more amazing visually in person than a camera can ever possibly capture. 

A Moto Ankle Boot Featuring Double Skull Buckle Straps and Studs on Heel and Pewter Chrome Plated Bottom, Metal Inner Side Zip5 1/2", Finger Bone Heel and a 1 1/2" platform. 

Such a sleek and sexy boot with just the right amount of silver and that bone finger heel is freaking yummy. I'm wearing these in a size 11 but I usually wear Demonia shoes in a 10US. The fit is roomy but this is easily fixed with inserts or thicker socks. These babies though beautiful are not an all day shoe for me as I need a little more platform for comfort. But hell half of the time we wear shoes for the visual effect and less for all day comfort so these amazing booties will be worn again but not on the dance floor. 

They also look amazing when paired with my all time favourite Sonsee black stockings and with my grey and brown versions of these exact stockings. I'll be testing these with super skinny jeans next and I think they'll look absolutely amazing. 

Just look at those skulls and that finger bone - PERFECTION!

Many thanks to my amazing Photographer Damien Bowerman for shooting these amazing looks and for creating some moody magic with the awesome ColouredSmoke.com.au . We used the Red CS-60g from the mixed set and the effect was long-lasting, We got to shoot heaps of images within the three to four minutes that it lasted and the effects - well, you can see - they're visually stunning.

I'm officially addicted to smoke bombs when shooting!

For the love of Taxidermy

As a long time lover of Hell Bunny I've been dying to try their amazing Gothic inspired brand Spin Doctor Clothing. While I may look like a pinup from my exterior, my heart has forever been linked to all things macabre or goth and I'm always more comfortable in black rather than bright colours. For years I was into the scene but when the pinup styling entered my world I broke free and started modeling with a little more focus on the 50's.  But as the years pass I'm finding myself adding more gothic styled dresses, tops and shoes to my wardrobe and this season I'm absolutely in love with the Taxidermy print from Spin Doctor.

 Spin Doctor Taxidermy Mini Dress - £47.99

DEER ANTLERS & ORCHIDS HEADBAND, GOTHIC WREATH, GARLAND HEADPIECE - $41.99

From the moment I laid eyes on the Taxidermy print I knew I needed to own every item ever to be created using it. Featuring skulls, toads, deer and human eyes,  this print has everything I could possibly want. Faux leather trim around the waist, neckline and a strong cross over design at the back this is the dress of my darkest dreams. 

I'm wearing this style in and size 2XL as I wanted to focus as always on fitting my bust perfectly and every aspect of this frock is perfection fit wise. The bust fit's perfectly and the waist has a little room while still adding that hourglass shape with the faux leather waist band. Length wise it hits me just above the knee and combined with the flowing fabric this is the perfect gothic style for the super hot weather Australia has each and every summer. The flowing sleeves are flattering and make you feel like a woodland nymph or very Stevie Nicks. The gathered slightly puffy sleeve also equals out my shoulders as I tend to feel very boxy at times when I wear less low cut styles. 

Now this style is that new that Spin Doctor themselves have not listed it on the website but I've found the standard sizes up to XL at Kate's Clothing UK. With my specific measurements the 2XL works perfectly but if you are a little less chesty (I'm a 34GG or even H) then you might be able to rock the XL. I paired this look with my favourite dark woodland accessory my deer horns from Restyle and I love how they work together.

 Spin Doctor Gothic Taxidermy Blouse - £29.99

Studded D-ring belt from Torrid - SOLD OUT 

You know when I mentioned that I'd honestly like to own everything in this print? Well I meant it! So the next item available in the Taxidermy print is this stunning cross over blouse. I have this tucked into a high waisted swing skirt but this top actually has a very interesting elasticated cinched waist creating a super flattering shape that highlights your best assets. This is a brand new and very clever shape from the designers at Spin Doctor Clothing and I really love how light and airy this blouse is. 

I'm wearing this in a size 2XL yet again and it's way too roomy at the waist and bust due to the faux wrap design. I'll definitely need to get a size down if not a Large for a more firm waist fit and less gaping at the bust. The almost peplum style of this top is perfect for tucking as shown but I can't wait to get the right size and pair this with high waisted jeans and disco pants. 

Honestly I can't get enough of this fabric and I would love to see a 50's style full skirt or a pussy bow blouse in the future covered in all of these creepy creatures. 

Now what shoes do I pair with these stunning items? Well that was was super simple as I had been drooling over the new Demonia styles from Shoe Me Gorgeous. I was absolutely crazy for Demonia boots many moons ago and I've started getting back into their super high platform styles.

Demonia TORMENT-600 Black Vegan Leather Pump - $116.00

Then I found the Torment-600 leather pumps and fell fast and hard. Featuring everything I've ever wanted in a shoe - a super high heel and platform to match, lots of straps, studs and even some adorable little black bows. The perfect mixture of Gothic and Lolita and high enough to give you legs for days. 

While these babies might be high they are unbelievably comfortable. The platform to heel ratio, light weight platform and straps secure you in place and give you a really comfortable base to walk in. You might think - how can a shoe this tall be comfy? It just is! I was a lover of the Jeffrey Campbell Lita boots for many years and these have the same level of comfort at a brilliant price point. 

Just look at those studs! I can't wait for the cooler weather to hit next year so I can pair these with back seamed stockings. These work with every gothic look in my wardrobe and they even look amazing when simply styled with a pair of skinny jeans. If you are looking for a boot version of this you can find a lace up matching high heel/platform boot the Torment-712 and these are next on my wishlist. 

I'm so happy I've finally had the chance to review Spin Doctor Clothing and share my favourite styles from their current season. I think it's safe to say I'm officially obsessed and will be ordering many more of their amazing garments over the next few years. 

Many thanks to Liz at L12 Photography for shooting these brilliant images and capturing these styles perfectly!