#vecona

[gl1tt3ryd34th]

Vinnie from Ramshackle in this octopus dress made by Vecona (former costume designer for Emilie Autumn) because why not. Hope you enjoy!

[waywardvictorianconfessions]

Why do you people still think she crafted everything she used? The costumes were made by Vecona. She left in 2008, but I'm pretty sure EA never stopped using the costumes… And Vecona is still making things where as EA stopped. It makes me think that EA was just a fake and the only thing she actually made was the book. I really doubt she wrote half the lyrics she did, or the music for that matter.

[youcantfiremebecauseiquit]

[ursas-arts]

Miscellaneous doodles dump

[vampire-of-soda]

(via wolvins)

[shefightslikeagirl]

Stages Through the Ages

An Asylum History Post by @shefightslikeagirl

Fun title, huh?

For this month's hit of nostalgia, I thought it might be fun to take a look at EA's different stage setups. If you're a theater nerd like me, you'll probably enjoy this.

"We would spend an hour or two before every show setting up the stage. It was like setting up for company to arrive in every city we went to and it was very personal. Most of the stage props were handmade by Em and then in later years 2009-2011 we would all spend a week at her place hand making every single prop and stage feature (the original massive handmade clock)."

— Veronica Varlow, 2025

As always, if you notice I'm wrong about something, missing information, or need some more context, hit up the askbox.

2001 - 2006: Rock n' Roll

Throughout the Enchant Era and in the very earliest days of the Opheliac Era, EA was backed by a "traditional" band with the standard concert set up. She had microphones, instruments, and other equipment onstage; that was it. Her aesthetic focus was on her costumes, not the band.

It wasn't until the first Opheliac show that her new band, The Bloody Crumpets, had costumes of their own. Stage dressings did start popping up around this time, but they were sparse, and that trend would continue for a time.

(surprise appearance by Inkydust in the red shirt!)

2007: Shadows on the Wall

The true beginning of the Opheliac Touring Era (a terrible name that I will never use again) was in 2007 at Germany's Wave Gotik Treffen.

Again, we're not seeing a lot on the stage. Some ribbons, some gorgeous costumes, some "suicidal girls"... But not much else.

However, as the Summer Festival Tour continued, things started to come together.

Tollwood, June 2007

We see Suffer, some ribbons, and some balloons at Tollwood Festival, which followed a month after WGT. And then: Teapots! Canes! Red Pointe Shoes! More props, more set dressings.

Underworld, Camden, 2007

Frankfurt, 2007

Amphi Festival, 2007

But things really kicked off at the end of 2007, when EA's first headlined tour began: The Asylum Tour.

The stage design EA and I crafted together at my house within a few days before the start of each tour. It was really fun to paint and decorate tea sets, dolls and realizing the big shadow screens! 

— Vecona, 2019

Fittingly, this is when the Asylum started taking shape. The original stage design was an EA-Vecona collab, and later on a lot of the Bloody Crumpets would come to help craft props, scenic, and costumes.

Early Stage Sketches, from an eBay listing (left) and the EA Wikia (right)

Crafting photos, 2006 or 2007, Vecona

The shadowscreen that we all came to know and love debuted on December 5, 2007, in Essen, Germany.

This was the simplest version of the shadowscreen, which I'll refer to as "v1." It was a simple fabric scrim with a glitter border, easy to transport and set-up in different venues. Most of the pictures make it hard to see the border detail, but it shows up very well in video.

Vienna, 2007

Back to Essen! At this concert, Emilie's 1841 electric keyboard debuted with a lot more flair. It was covered in fabric, jewels, and props, becoming the icon it was always meant to be.

Essen, 2007 (this is the best angle and quality I can find)

Sometimes the whole thing liked to fall apart, but it was pretty, so we won't judge it.

The look of the keyboard varied slightly venue to venue, since the props were set "fresh" every time. The different fabrics appears to have been a sewn-together drape that attached at the top.

The Asylum Tour was very short, but was quickly followed by The Plague Tour and The Gate Tour. The vibe of her shows only advanced as time went on and I fully intended to continue talking about them here, but...

I've run out of images allowed per post. I suppose I'll have to continue this in a part 2! Drop a reply or a reblog to let me know what you think and if you'd like to see more of these!

[nipuni]

Hello Natalia! really loving all the artwork AND the fashion posts! appreciate you sourcing where most of the clothes come from, but I was wondering if you knew of stores or had suggestions but for mens clothing? I would love to get more into it but don't know where to start looking! Thanks!

Hello! AHHH Thank you so much!! this makes me happy 🥺❤️

I do!! My husband also enjoys vintage clothes so I can give you some stores he likes If you are looking for a sort of Edwardian inspired style too. Darcy clothing!! He owns a couple of three piece suits from them as well as collars and accessories and they are excellent, I recommend! There is also Cathcart Heritage, Blackbird, Vecona Vintage oh and American Duchess also offers men's shoes, He also does a lot of thrifting, especially for blazers, coats, jackets and ties! for gloves, hats and shoes he gets them at regular local leather stores.

Also here are some cool looking guys to check out for inspo! the_vintagearian, luca.vintage, vintagebursche, fein_heraus, the_vintagelover, I hope these help! 🥰

[vintagecontinuum]

Clothing

True vintage from the 1930s and 40s is often fragile, damaged, and expensive. Here are my favorite modern brands selling vintage or vintage-inspired designs:

Price key:

$: $50-150 (basic pieces, simpler designs)

$$: $151-300 (well-crafted garments, premium fabrics)

$$$: >$300 (luxurious, exact reproductions)

Other notes:

📏: offers custom sizing

👥: employs height-inclusive models (5'5 / 168cm or shorter)

🗺️: country of origin

All the Vintage Lovers ($) 📏 🇷🇴

A vintage Etsy shop offering made-to-order classic designs. While not explicitly repro, the variety of wide-legged pants suits the 30s on.

Allure Originals ($-$$) 📏 🇺🇸

Androgynous, classic designs in the 1930s and 40s style. Most pieces are one-offs.

Bee's Knees ($$-$$$) 👥 🇨🇳

A vintage-inspired boutique with both day- and eveningwear spanning the 1920s to the 1950s, but especially emphasizing the 1930s. One of the models (Lolo) is 5'1 / 155cm.

Bellaha ($-$$) 📏 👥 🇻🇳

Quality linen timeless garments. While not explicitly repro, the shop's classic undertones read as 1930s forward. One of the models is 5'1 / 155cm.

Cathcart ($$-$$$) 📏 🇬🇧

Custom vintage-inspired heritage wear adapted to the modern times yet equally suited for 1930s and 40s ensembles.

De IONESCU ($$) 🇷🇴

Although many pieces read as modern, the classic businesswear sets, knits, and suit jackets fit the rugged, militaristic 1930s and 40s aesthetic.

Emmy Design ($-$$$) 🇸🇪

Well-fitted, high-quality repros befitting of many ages.

Epicoene ($-$$) 🇺🇸

A gender-inclusive microlabel offering 1940s and 50s-inspired garments.

FineThee ($-$$$) 📏 👥 🇷🇴

Curated vintage and handmade pieces from fine fabrics. Repro pieces range from 1930s-adjacent to modern. The model is 5'5 / 168cm.

Hearts and Found ($-$$) 📏 🇻🇳

Late 40s and 50s-inspired feminine dresses and separates with a wide variety of fabrics.

House of Kitchstitch ($) 🇬🇧

Handsewn 1940s and 50s pants, specializing in denim but also offering swing trousers and shorts.

House of Lewko ($$-$$$) 📏 🇨🇦

Bespoke 1930s and 40s-inspired formalwear and eveningwear for both men and women.

Kinzzza ($$-$$$) 🇺🇦

Handmade, antique-styled linen basics. Perfect for almost any decade.

Knitwear By Vessela ($$) 🇧🇬

Classic, Nordic-inspired unisex sweaters and cardigans.

Korsena ($$) 🇵🇱

World War II-era practical civilian wear and winter wear for women.

Let's Backtrack ($-$$) 📏 🇺🇸

Feminine, cotton dresses inspired by the 1930s to 50s.

Oldfield Outfitters ($$-$$$) 👥 🇬🇧

Vintage-inspired British countryside gear channeling the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. Two of the models are 5'2 / 157cm and 5'3 / 160cm.

On the Sunny Side ($-$$$) 🇧🇪

Vintage sportswear and suiting in the 1930s and 40s style. Features dapper menswear adapted for women's measurements.

Roksolana Knits ($$-$$$) 📏 🇺🇦

Bespoke repro knitwear and vintage-inspired pieces. The shop offers a wide selection of patterns and colors, albeit with a long waitlist.

Swinging Oldies ($$) 🇫🇷

Vintage-style sweatshirts, jeans, and swimsuits fitting the 1940s forward.

The Seamstress of Bloomsbury ($-$$) 🇬🇧

Late 1930s, 40s, and early 50s British aristocratic fashions harkening the wartime spirit.

Vecona Vintage ($$-$$$) 🇩🇪

Classy 1920s to 40s suiting and dress. Most notable for its three-piece ensembles in both men's and women's sizing.

Woolwhite ($$-$$$) 🇩🇪

Timeless knitwear and overcoats. While not specifically repro, many designs are vintage inspired and range the late 1920s on.

[shefightslikeagirl]

This made me laugh out loud! Tell your friend not to feel bad; everyone lies on the internet.

Here are some photos!

Vecona wearing the same style of heart frame necklace:

Similar designs on sale at tour merch tables, circa 2008:

Hi, do you remember that contest on Shefightslikeagirl blog where you could win some EA related trinkets/jewellery made by Vecona, you won the auction right? Could you post some pics of that jewellery? I'm really curious how it looks like !

Hi anon, i can't because I don't have that jewellery, it is a colleague of mine that owns these pieces. This friend wanted to take part in that giveaway and asked me if she could use my tumblr account for this purpose cause she didn't want to use her own personal account. I sent a comment, passed on her email address when she won the giveaway.

Iirc you had to describe your best EA show memory? or something, This friend has never been to EA show and made it all up. I don't blame her much cause she was at a low point att and hoped these things would cheer her up but I know she felt bad about making it up later. She said she'd like to give these pieces to some other fan but they're not worth any money or setting up ebay listing etc.

I haven't been in touch with this friend for years after i went to study abroad, though I think she's active on tumblr. That being said it's not worth photographing much, she said it's all that was pictured on the blog nothing more nothing less. The bows looked cheap and tacky on hair and the weird "rat in petals" thing is completely of no use (her words lol), the only wearable thing was the "Heart in a frame" pendant and it is most valuable nostalgia wise, as you could actually see Bloody Crumpets wearing it onstage.

You can see the giveaway photo on @shefightslikeagirl in Vecona tag, sorry i don't have the pic on my device to post right now

[opheliagallery]

Photographer: Angst-im-Wald Costumer / Designer: Vecona

[waywardvictorianconfessions]

A bit of a throwback: back in the day I was a hanging out with my pals in a fan group of American McGee’s Alice and Madness Returns. We had a discussion where we envisioned a dream live cast of the game. Someone suggested a role for Alice and threw in EA photo where she wears that striped Vecona dress, holds Suffer the Bear and sits in an armchair opposite a window. And of course big 2007 pink buns and curls. Still my fav photo of all time, I have it hanging on my fridge till this day. Anyway, this was the first time I ever learned about her and that photo fascinated me in so many ways that I immediately started searching for her music, I heard DITNA and Liar and got blown away. That was the start. It was also late autumn/fall (lol) and it was downpouring heavily all the time, her music and that era went along so well. I loved listening to her music and imagining how the music videos would look like. Thought I’d throw in some positivity since we now only recycle same 5 boring confessions about how her book is bad. If anyone likes, please share your first memories of her, let’s make a small flashmob and shake this blog a bit (in a good way ofc, love everyone here)

[youcantfiremebecauseiquit]

[ursanic]

My blue is almost grown out

Tag @swinedrunk @vecona n whoever else feels like it

i found a cool tag game on twitter and i really wanna import it (o^ ^o)

this picrew + the last song you listened to :]

no pressure tags: @blood-loving-leech @overtaken-boredom @lesbianthatyaps @kameonerd566 @hexedvampire @laczki @anonymous-shxtposter @fleurafae @flovqy + anyone who wants to do it <3

[xbookinstatube]

Old Is Gold..Rock That Swing Boogie Woogie Best Couple Dancing by Nellia and Dietmar

 

Credits: Vecona Vintage, VinSinn, Rock That Swing Festival, Kersten Huttner, Nuno Neves, Nellia, Dietmar and others  

#RockThatSwing

#OldIsGold

#VintageRock

[shefightslikeagirl]

This was so nice to read the responses - because being a part of this was so incredibly magical. I started touring with Em in 2007 (!) in Germany. I had never been out of the US before and on day one, I met Em and Aprella and the original Captain Vecona (who was a brilliant seamstress and made all the original costumes by hand.)

We would spend an hour or two before every show setting up the stage. It was like setting up for company to arrive in every city we went to and it was very personal. Most of the stage props were handmade by Em and then in later years 2009-2011 we would all spend a week at her place hand making every single prop and stage feature (the original massive handmade clock). Between 2011-2014 we had a printed clock and we had a crew that would set it up but we still handmade our costumes.

I remember in those early shows - one where the batteries on Em’s electric violin went out in the middle of the show - so you could hear her playing but it wasn’t amplified any more. She turned to me and with a kiss whispered “Do something for 10 minutes - I have to run off stage to get this fixed.” And I instantly remembered the first show I saw when I moved to NYC was this punk band called Nation of Ulysses and the lead singer ran out and grabbed the back of my head and started making out with me and then grabbed the guy standing next to me and made out with him. And then launched right into a song. I’ll never forget it - it was done in a fun way and I loved the band so I was in shock that the lead singer just kissed me.

So when the moment came that I had to do something - that quickly popped up in my brain and I made up the Rat Game. It was only supposed to happen one time. But the boards were so active and the plague rats were a family and basically the next night like 20 people showed up with signs that said “pick me, Veronica” or “I want to play the rat game” or “I’ve never been kissed by a girl before” and then Em was like - I think this is a thing now - are you cool with doing that again tonight after my violin solo? And I was like - sure! And we thought it might be just that one extra night but every night - more signs showed up and it became part of the show. I was shocked that it lasted more than one night or one tour but the Plague Rats were so excited about it and we were always listening to what you guys wanted to!

I just remember how like a family we all were and it was so special. The plague rats would make handmade presents for each other and for us. We would see many of the same people night after night and it was so beautiful! It was something truly special. ❤️ Thank you for sharing your memories here and thanks for letting me share mine. I’ve got to post something like this on my Instagram. I have so many old photos that are amazing that no one has ever seen!

—Veronica Varlow on the origin of the Rat Game, Emilie Autumn's Asylum Army of Love FB Group

[theshad0wsmadamme]