We had a ball being transformed as Geisha, or actually as "Maiko", apprentice Geisha. The Maiko's outfits and hairstyles are more vibrant so that was how we decided to go.We first changed into our pink geisha slip and proceeded up a very steep flight of stairs to be transformed. The makeup was the first step. We applied a thick cream as the base and were then painted by the make up artist with a very thick white face paint like substance. Close up, the eyes looked very strange, first done in red and then in black.
We went with the "semiwig" option, where some of our own hair was brushed and blended into the wig to give it a little more realistic look.
We got to choose our kimono. I of course went for a red and my sister, a pink. Over the thin cotton slip went another, this time patterned with long decorated sleeves. Another layer went over the shoulders to pad the collar area before the embroidered decorative collar was put into place. A geisha should have quite a straight up and down look, so I was then super-padded with towels under my breasts to give a flatten look to my (I have to say) more than ample chest. Next was the kimono, then a belt around the middle, then the (what I call a cheat) obi (it isn't actually tied, but rather in two parts and the pre-tied bow slipped into place). Finally there was an obijime cord with an obi brooch (obidome).
We got to choose our kimono. I of course went for a red and my sister, a pink. Over the thin cotton slip went another, this time patterned with long decorated sleeves. Another layer went over the shoulders to pad the collar area before the embroidered decorative collar was put into place. A geisha should have quite a straight up and down look, so I was then super-padded with towels under my breasts to give a flatten look to my (I have to say) more than ample chest. Next was the kimono, then a belt around the middle, then the (what I call a cheat) obi (it isn't actually tied, but rather in two parts and the pre-tied bow slipped into place). Finally there was an obijime cord with an obi brooch (obidome).
We had a couple of professional studio photos taken and then were allowed to go to take a few photos ourselves outside for a little while. Before going outside our kimonos were taken up and tied so that we didn't drag and damage the padded bottom. Essentially, that means you can see our red and white under slip (nakajuban) in the full length photos.
I would have loved to have photographed the whole process, but sadly wasn't allowed.
Doing one of these dress-ups is a terribly commercial thing to do, but a lot of fun and something I'd really recommend.
I have been terribly slack with my contributions to Big Cat's BLOGTOBERFEST, but I should be back in the swing of it now.
15 comments:
Wow, you both look amazing...who wouldn't love playing dress ups for the day?
That looks like so much fun!! And you both look magnificent!!
looks fantastic but I suspect rather uncomfortable!!
Both of you look gorgeous!!! Coincidentally I was watching a show on tv last night and we have this local celebrity who went to Kyoto to learn the Geisha's dance and the entire transformation was amazing! She had wax applied to her face to make the powder stay then the makeup and she had to use her own hair for the hairdo (OUCH!) and she had to had layers of kimono fabric piled on her tightly (she was having difficulty breathing!) to hide a woman's silhouette. Really amazing! I would love to have a makeover too!!! ^_^
You both look fabulous! Wonder which place you used...
love the pics... how fun. Do you mean that you were not allowed to wear the outfits around outside then? Once you had the procedure done... it just had to be removed after picture taking? After all that I would have wanted to be Geisha for the whole day.... lol....
Anyway...it was a wonderful way to spend a day and the photos are lovely....
WOW! Imagine doing that every day. Looks like so much fun.
You look fabulous! How fun!
I'd love to do that. You look wonderful.
how much fun for the day, adukt dressups.......before your falling out!
what a wonderful thing to do...can I come and dress up too?! amazing detail in the hair, makeup clothes!! wonderful!!
I would definitely love doing that-just gorgeous:)
you make a seriously good coy maiko face. Did everyone outside want to look at you?
WOW what an experience. It must have been great to get to experience being a Maiko for a day
that looks like such a fun thing to do!!
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