THINGS LISA LIKES: Hikari Shimoda and LISXXOR cosplay's Super Hero Bear & Bunny

"さよなら宇宙" Good-bye The cosmos2013 Hikari Shimoda

CREEPY CUTE // KAWAII
(・㉨・) ♡ ／(･ × ･)＼

In 2010 I discovered Japanese pop-artist, Hikari Shimoda　下田ひかり's creepy cute/kawaii magical girls and super hero saviors in their neon pastel surrealistic worlds and blank stares. I was mesmerized by her artwork and her message.
Artist Statement from her Sweet Streets LA artist page:

"HIKARI SHIMODA:

Based in Nagano, Japan, Hikari Shimoda first studied illustration at the prestigious Kyoto Saga University of Art and Aoyama Juku School before beginning her career as a contemporary artist in 2008. Soon afterward, Shimoda was selected for her first solo exhibition at Motto Gallery in Tokyo, and since then has held exhibitions annually in galleries worldwide, spanning Japan, the United States, Canada, and Milano, Italy.  Shimoda’s artwork paints a world where cuteness and horror coexist, and fantasy meets reality.  She credits the Japanese pop culture she grew up with as the main source of inspiration of her Lowbrow “Irasuto” style, which means artwork made by people inspired by anime and manga.  There are often children putting on heroic costumes such as Superman and “shojo” or magical girls, an anime sub-genre of young girls who use magic.  Through depicting children especially, Shimoda reveals the problems people in today’s society struggle with from within.  Children possess a simple existence because their identity is ambiguous which provides her with an original point of view.  In her “Whereabouts of God” portrait series of other-worldly horned children, she also comments on Christianity’s anointment of Jesus Christ as savior of humanity and mirror of our fantasy heroes.  These characters not only represent heroism but an adult desire to watch our children grow and defend the world we have constructed.  With each new piece, Shimoda advances her search for salvation and her deeper understanding of this chaotic world."

HIKARI SHIMODA OFFICIAL SITE: http://hikarishimoda.com/
SWEET STREETS LA GALLERY: http://sweetstreetsla.com/artist/hikari-shimoda
MY FACEBOOK COSPLAY PAGE!:  LISXXOR cosplay

Super Hero Bear Boy selfie via Instagram - LISXXOR cosplay

Super Hero Bear Boy selfie via Instagram - LISXXOR cosplay

I've been wanting to cosplay characters from her paintings for a while now (the Super Hero), but didn't know when would be the best time.  I decided to make these costumes when Ohaycon announced they were having a special "magical girl" themed category in their 2014 masquerade. I was even happier to discover there was a "magical boy" category, which would fit Hikari's Super Heroes perfectly.

My cosplay versions of the Super Heroes was my way of celebrating her art through my fashion skills. Like I love these lil guys so much I want to make them real!
Originally I was only going to make the original blue Bear Boy Super Hero, but fell equally in love with the mischievous Bunny Boy Super Hero from her more recent series, "Before Worlds Were Born".
Always the ambitions one, I decided to make both Bear and Bunny Super Hero outfits, since they are essentially color swaps of each other. But really I ended up making 4 different interchangeable costumes.
I'm glad I did, because I ENDED UP WINNING "BEST MAGICAL BOY" CRAFTSMASHIP in the Ohaycon 2014 Cosplay Masquerade!!!

I won "BEST MAGICAL BOY" CRAFTSMASHIP in the Ohaycon 2014 Cosplay Masquerade!!!

So cute! So happy! (●´□`)♡

v(｡-_-｡)v

♡ CREEPY KAWAII ♡

Hi! Ｏ(≧▽≦)Ｏ

Click image for the hi-rez.gif/gfycat from Miss.Heartless girl's Ohaycon video!

MAKEUP: Hikari Shimoda Cosplay Makeup

Hello!

Want to recreate my custom eye makeup look from my Hikari Shimoda Super Hero cosplays? Look no further!
Because Hikari's characters are childlike and colorful, I wanted my eye makeup for this cosplay to keep that anime/manga look and really pop! Just like her lovely paintings.  Her children paintings have the most magical starry eyes. I want them! ♡

I chose to go with multi-colored eyes to match her children's mismatched eyes, neon yellow UV and white.  Unfortunately they don't sell magical star-filled neon multicolor contacts right now :[  I was able to find heart shaped contacts, but not stars.

Black sclera contact lenses were out of my price range. I'd love to purchase some to go as her more creepier kawaii characters. 
For any Hikari look, You could choose any neon or pastel colors contacts to mismatch - from pink, blue, white, light green, purple, even black!

I made a quick cartoon sketch below of my Hikari Shimoda Super Hero makeup in pink and blue using my makeup to show you the general simple shapes.
To get this look:

1. Eyeshadow Primer on eyelids, Face primer. Basic cover up, etc.
2. White eyeshadow stick or cream concentrate on inner corner of eyes and brow bone
3. Contrast color eyeshadow with rounded eyeshadow brush on outer eye/crease, and under outer eye waterline.
4. Liquid or contrast eyeliner on outer top lid, outer waterline.
5. Colored mascara on top and lower lashes.
6. Blend and touch up.  Blend and add extra color where needed.
7. Blush in small circle motions under outer eye corner.
8. Color brows in necessary (I skipped this step since my wig hid my brows). 
9. Exfoliate, lip primer, and/or gloss lipstick of your choice.
10. Light dusting of an HD finishing powder to set your look!

Quick colored illustration with makeup shapes of my look ^_~

Super Hero Pink variation, both eyes

"Whereabouts of God" #3, Oil on canvas, 2012, Hikari Shimoda

COSTUME/COSPLAY: Hikari Shimoda's ☆ Super Hero Bear & Bunny Photo Shoot! (・㉨・) ♡ ／(･ × ･)＼

(・㉨・) ♡ ／(･ × ･)＼

Super Hero Bear & Bunny Twins photo shoot!

Myself as Bear Boy Super Hero, LISXXOR cosplay
My adorable friend TENSHISAKURA Cosplay was my Bunny Girl Super Hero.
Location: Ohaycon 2014
Photographer: Tk8919 Photography

COSTUME/COSPLAY: Hikari Shimoda's ☆ Super Hero Bunny Photo Shoot! ♡ ／(･ × ･)＼

♡ ／(･ × ･)＼ ♡

Super Hero Bunny photo shoot!

Myself as Bunny Boy Super Hero, LISXXOR cosplay
Location: Ohaycon 2014
All photos and video clips by photographer: Miss.Heartlessgirl

All .gifs made by me from Miss.Heartlessgirl's Ohayocon Fan Video!

(I linked the video so you can watch at the bottom of this post!)

BLOG: LISA MALANIJ // D1G1T4L F4SH10N BL0G!

Hey guys!  I'm back!
My blog got a huge makeover!
Like the new blog layout?  It finally has the aesthetic feel that represents me, my persona, and my brand. Clean, minimal, edgy, bold, with a dash of digital. [CYBERPUNK].
Wonder where the quote on my header is from and why it's there?
It's the opening sentence to my favorite book, Neuromancer by William Gibson. Seriously, go read it if you haven't already and think of me. My next collection will be based off of it.

Basically I am so proud of myself that I created the graphics and the html code to design this blog the way I wanted from the basic "bleh" blog design it was before ALL ON MY OWN. WOOO!!! Such a learning process. Thank goodness for google and friendly programers with their easy to follow tutorials.

2013 had been a year of growth for me personally and as a designer and budding creative entrepreneur.

The past year I've been teaching myself basic HTML, and other creative entrepreneur necessities like personal finance, excel, social media in marketing, and graphic design (photo retouching, and batch automating tasks!) to compliment my fashion and marketing skill set.


Also since late 2012-2014 I've been focusing on promoting and selling my remixed line, 3xHearts by Lisa Malanij, in the upcycle movement that is growing in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. Collective Upcycle Boutique and the ever popular growing Cleveland Flea have been my sales stalwarts for my remixed line.  I hope to open 3xHearts online store as well coming soon!
You can learn more about 3xHearts here.

In the mean time, I have tons of backlogged events, photos, outfits, adventures  I need to catch up share with you too! While I make progress on catching up and sharing my adventures 2012-2104, feel free to drop me a message!
Like me on Facebook the most up to date news news on my Facebook Fanpage.

Here are the links to all my social media pages if you want to connect!:
WEBSITE: http://www.lisamalanij.com/
FACEBOOK FANPAGE:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Malanij-Fashion-Designer/10150157755880157?fref=ts
BLOG: http://lisamalanij.blogspot.com/
TUMBLR (PERSONAL): http://lisxxor.tumblr.com/
TUMBLR OFFICIAL: http://lisamalanij.tumblr.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/LisaMalanij
INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/lisamalanij/#
LOOKBOOK.NU: http://lookbook.nu/lisamalanij
COSTUME/COSPLAY PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/pages/LISXXOR-cosplay/125200474309135

LISA LOOK #004: Hunger Games, Fabulous Flavius

This outfit was one of my entries for Capitol Couture.pn's District Style Challenge #4: Deck Yourself Out contest.

My inspiration for this outfit was the Cinna’s hair stylist prep team member, Flavius. (Cinna and his prep team trio are my favorite characters in the Hunger Games series b/c of their over the top fashions and Capitol attitudes I can totally relate to being a boldly dressed fashion designer myself). :]

Flavius is described as tall, wears purple lipstick, and an orange hair with a large curl in the front. I imagine him to be a bit of a dramatically well-styled dandy. I also added two tiny heart-shaped beauty marks by my eye as a throwback to 17th century French aristocrats. Unfortunately I was unable to find temporary orange hair dye in time for this contest :[ But my front curl turned out awesome.

Also this is my first time dressing as a dandy menswear inspired. It was fun! <3 I really enjoyed putting together this look :]

LISA LOOK #003: Hunger Games, Effie Trinket-Tastic!

I title this look: EFFIE TRINKET-TASTIC
My inspiration for this outfit was the fabulous, frivoulous, famous Effie Trinket! For this Capitol Look I limited to the clothes I already had in my closet, pulling this monochromatic pink look together using a blazer, party dress, exaggerated pearls, chiffon flower and a lot of magenta.

Monochromatic Pink is the color scheme I chose for this Effie inspired style. I incorporated dark pink to light pink color gradients in my nail polish, eye shadow and lips.
The ombre kabuki lip was made by using OCC lip tars (Anime and Tone), the nails a light pink color with hot pink on the tips with China Glaze Hunger Games Capitol Colors nail polish “Luxe and Lush” glitter top coat to blend it all together for a sparkly finish.

I hope you enjoyed my interpretation of Effie Trinket’s Capitol style!

 

LISA LOOK #005: Hunger Games, Venusia Venia

My inspiration for this outfit was the Cinna’s nail tech prep team member, Venia. Cinna and his prep team trio are my favorite characters in the Hunger Games series. Their over the top fashions and Capitol attitudes I can relate to being a boldly dressed fashion designer myself.

Venia, being my favorite, is described in the book as tall, androgynous, having blue hair styled in spikes with gold tattooed eyebrows. Unfortunately I am not tall or androgynous, but for the sake of this contest bear with me ;] Also if I had my spiky blue hair still I would have made my hair it into real spikes, but the wig had to suffice.

Gold and pale blue were my color scheme for Venia’s outfit. I imagine she likes over the top accessories, like large triangle earrings and necklaces to enhance her already sharp style. I wanted originally to have a pale blue dress or gold maxi skirt but couldn’t find any. Instead I used this gold silk dupioni dress. I took artistic liberty to interpret her spikes as cone buns and give her diamond implants above her eyebrows, which gives this look an Art Deco Molly Soda crossed with Asuras (Hindu deities) appearance. (HAHA). The silhouette of the outfit and hair are reminiscent of Maria, the android automaton in Fritz Lang’s 1927 “Metropolis”.

I do hope you enjoy my interpretation of Venia’s look.

LISA LOOK #002: Hunger Games, District 12

Who says literature can't inspire fashion?  In excitement for the movie premier of the Hunger Games coming out this weekend, I decided to throw together a couple of Hunger Games inspired outfits to show off my new Mocking Jay pin.  I might put together some more later this week - wanna try to channel some serious Effie Trinket.  This is Variation #1:  Down With the CAPITOL! that is featured on my Lookbook.nu page.

COSTUME/COSPLAY #002: Lady Gaga 2010 MTV VMAs Meat Dress

I made my own Lady Gaga Meat dress costume! I debuted it at SPACES gallery's POP ROYALTY benefit costume party.

I've been itching to make a costume based on Lady Gaga's infamous meat dress. I bought the materials for it last year, but hadn't got around to creating it. For the wig, I purchased an all white long haired wig, then spray painted it with turquoise and silver temporary hair spray paint. For the necklace and bracelets, I glued gems onto leather strips and turned them into velcro bracelets.  As for my "Meat Dress," I made entirely out of red felt, red jersey knit for the lining, and fabric paint <3  (I like using knit fabrics for the stretch in costumes - it's more forgiving on fit than wovens.  However if you are more comfortable with wovens, follow this tuturial but leave 1" to sew in a side seam or back zipper to get in or out.)

Personally I loved all the outfits she wore to the 2010 VMAs, she looked gorgeous in her S/S 2010 Alexander McQueen 1st outfit, and her custom black Armani couture gown for her 2nd look.  Her 3rd look, now known as "the Meat Dress" left people loving it or disgusted. What draws my attention to this outfit are the colors:  The white/grey and turquoise ombre hair with the start contrast of the red and white of the meat. I LOVE IT.  Her shoe wraps remind me of chunky platform shoes of the late 90's.  Not to mention she was dripping in jewels.  That's what I liked most about it, the colors...THE COLORS. I loved her Meat Dress 2010 MTV VMAs outfit so much I even included it as an illustration in my 2011 Sketchbook Project.

Meat has been used in art as material and fashion photo shoots time and time again. It was a very Dada-esque thing to do. (Marcel Duchamp, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Salvador Dali would have approved). Kind of a big "F*%& You" to the red carpet and PETA.

Meat Gaga" by Lisa Malanij, The Sketchbook Project 2011

In this video of the Pop Royalty party from CoolCleveland.com, you can see myself and my Katy Perry girl friend at :15 sec, and my girls Pam, Laurel, and Carolyn at 1:26 sec.

The Pop Royalty party was a blast. Among many other pop stars running around, I made friends with a girl dressed as Katy Perry (Though she had an awesome blue bob wig that could have totally passed for CFDA Fashion Awards 2011 Gaga). After the party, my friends and I decided to get food at XYZ Tavern in the Detroit Shoreway area.  I didn't have a change of clothes, so in my full Gaga ensemble I bravely went to the bars with no shame. HAHA. I am truly a brave soul.

Here are my "red carpet" photos taken at SPACES Gallery during their Pop Royalty event :]