Here are some great pictures captured by Rob Manko, taking during the designer couture fashion showdown. Enjoy!!!!!!!!

Above Design by Larissa Boiwka

Above Design by Larissa Boiwka

Barb Wallace is one of 17 designers participating in this year’s High Ball Halloween Costume Couture Fashion Showdown.  I spoke with a very enthusiastic Barb Wallace about her many inspirations for this year’s four garments.  The crafty Wallace gathers mainly clothing from thrift stores around Columbus as a base for a garment.

“I have always used this style,” Wallace said.  “I see so much potential in every story!”  Wallace also searches for inspiration in magazines and incorporates them into her one of a kind thrifty design’s.  Wallace’s four pieces are designed around rocker yet feminine look incorporating studs, embellishments, chains, black skinny pants, ruffles, and other unique accessories.
Each designer is also creating a garment for the High Ball Costume Contest, which is open to the public.  Last year thousands of people created one of kind costumes that shocked even the most professional designers.

“It is so fun to see what everyone comes up with!” Wallace added.  “The costume I created for the costume contest is a juxtaposition of an industrial/organic look.  The look is inspired by a rooftop garden, a steel background with flowers cascading down the dress.” Wallace said.
Halloween is that time when you can let it all go! We are excited to see Barb’s designs, as well as the costumes from the rest of the designers.

Last week we interviewed HighBall host Nina West on various Halloween “things”

What was your favorite part of HighBall last year?

Nina West: The people and the amount of people was my favorite part. The energy last year was amazing and unexpected how crazy the crowd got, crazy in a good way! But the people are amazing and it’s really a huge melting pot of different types of people at HighBall, which makes this event so unique.

What do you think the judges are looking for in a winner for the Costume Couture Fashion Show?

N.W: After last year, I think the judges are looking for decadency & creativity.  Last year the judges looked for the most creative costume.  A costume that is jaw dropping and stand outs out should win the attention from the judges.   Halloween has always been a place where you can go the extra mile

What are you planning on asking Althea Harper?

N.W: I would ask her if she ever thought she would make it that far on Project Runway? Since she has never done a reality show, which is something very stressful, and thinking should would go so far?

What are you doing to prepare for HighBall this year?

N.W: I am trying to keep an even head while keeping in mind the size and scope of the event, as well as the large crowd.  This is the largest event I have ever hosted, which I am very excited about!   I want to make sure I do the community proud, I love this area. I have lived in Short North for almost 10 years and I am really excited to be a part of HighBall Halloween.

What are you planning on wearing?

N.W: It is a surprise of course!

What was Nina’s favorite outfit that she wore last year?

N.W: The Short North arches, people loved it.  Everyone wanted pictures with me! I loved it because we were in Short North under the arches, it was very fun.

What performances do we have to look forward to from Nina West?

N.W: This is Thriller! Thriller night…

What was your favorite performance you did last year?

N.W: My favorite thing, other than the crowd, is the community of the neighborhood, the business owners helping out and volunteers.  I didn’t have one favorite performance, I just wanted to make sure everyone was entertained.  But I love the whole atmosphere and of course the overwhelming sense of community is always so fun.

Does Nina have any tips for the Kings and Queens Costume Contestants?

N.W: GO BIG!! If your going to go in drag, which is common, you have to GO big, big hair, crazy makeup, outlandish drag costume. Don’t buy something at forever 21 and call it a day.  What is lost about drag is that it is an art form in itself. Going big is the theme of the event, being noticed! Don’t hesitate to do what you want to do, because the theme is masquerade!

Are you used to performing in front of predominantly gay audiences?

N.W: I usually perform large scale rehearsed productions that are very theatrical. But what makes Short North very special is that drag has become more mainstream..the transition in the last four years has really taken over.

How does this audience differ from other venues?

N.W: I have to take into consideration who is in the crowd and maintain a strong filter. This is not a small crowd! This event brings in a diverse group of people and…I am character, I am a man in a dress and there are people who have not always been around a drag queen, so I cannot be a threatening character.  But I have always been about entertaining people and I know how to do that.  I want to make everyone feel comfortable and engaged into the show.

What would you say the biggest difference is between HighBall Halloween and a typical Halloween Party?

N.W: This is an event that is open to anybody yet geared towards a specific clientele. This is a night you can be whoever you want to be! HBH is for everyone and what they feel Halloween means to them.

Are the costumes different at HighBall Halloween?

N.W: The costumes are mixed… some are very scary. What makes HBH so awesome are the costumes… they are decadent, gorgeous, grotesque, yet all somehow beautiful, but it is expected, it’s Halloween!

Is the event amplifed by being in the Short North District?

N.W: This event is embraced in a neighborhood marked by difference.  This is the gay center of the city & the arts center of the city.  Short North & HighBall give people a creative license to try something new.  People come in from the suburbs might go all out, in the spirit of the season.  The Short North District is truly an amazing cross section.

How did people react to you off stage?

N.W: Last year I walked around a lot and talked with people. Their comfort level could really adjust when I got into the mix. People were taking pictures then adding me on Facebook, it was just really fun.  Everyone was so cool.

Anything else?

N.W: I am really excited for this weekend! I cannot wait to see what everyone comes up with.

Kevin Kerr is more than just a local Columbus designer involved in this year’s High Ball Halloween Couture Fashion Showdown.  Kevin is the winner of 2008’s HighBall designer competition. His gorgeous Winter Queen costume wowed the judges and stole the show. What’s he planning for 2009?

Kevin Kerr’s 2008 High Ball Couture Fashion Showdown Winning Design.

For this year’s runway collection…

His inspirations stem from 1960’s models and actresses: Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton, Veruschka.  Kerr’s garments are simple pieces with oversized handmade mod jewelry. Researching fashion and old magazines helped Kerr with his 1960’s inspired theme. “I think these looks might be the next big thing,” Kerr said.

For his Couture Costume…

All Kerr will reveal is: “The piece will be something exotic, bird like. I am currently searching for fabrics. It’s a work in progress!”

Hmmm. Sounds mysterious!

We asked Kevin what he is most excited about for High Ball and he responded: “The creativity is incredible. People who aren’t professionals come up with amazing things! It is so fun to walk around and look at everyone’s creations.”

Check out Kevin’s creations at HighBall Halloween’s, Saturday, October 31^st. The Costume Couture Fashion Showdown begins at 8pm on the Costume Specialties runway at 4th Ave and High Street under the Short North arches. See you there.

Rising Star Althea Harper Will Hit the Runway with Original Designs and Help Judge Costume Contest

Dayton-born clothing designer Althea Harper was drawn to fashion at an early age. And on Saturday, October 31, this 24-year-old “Project Runway 6” contestant will be drawn back to Ohio as celebrity judge and featureddesigner for Columbus’ second annual HighBall Halloween.

This fashion-focused extravaganza will feature an 80-foot runway, professional models, live entertainment and a costume competition for fashion designers. Adults, children and pets will also compete for prizes, bragging rights and a moment in the spotlight. The theme for this year’s festival is “Cirque.”

A Young Designer Hits her Stride

Althea Harper is no stranger to visionary fashion design. “As a student, Althea was always thinking way beyond her skill set and pushing herself,” recalls Margie Voelker-Ferrier, professor and coordinator at University ofCincinnati (College of Design Art Architecture and Planning). “I think Althea has a beautiful aesthetic … she always makes women feel beautiful and elegant.”

The Project Runway judges clearly share Voelker-Ferrier’s view. As of this writing, Harper has edged out nineother contestants to reach Round 9 of the show. She’s won one of the weekly challenges, and she’s never been among the bottom three.

High-Powered Judges at HighBall Halloween ‘09

This year, Harper and her former professor will join a roster of industry professionals to help judge yourHalloween costume at the HighBall Halloween Costume Contest.

Do you have what it takes to make the HighBall runway?

Thousands will try. 40 will make it. One will win HighBall Costume of the Year. Come at 9:30 and show

Contest categories are:

• Best Celebrity Lookalike (sponsored by the Arena Grand Movie Theatre)
• Cirque Fantasy
• Best Tag Team (for teams of two or more people)
• Best King and Queen (drag, that is!)
• Simply Fabulous!

For more information about the costume contest, HighBall Halloween, and Althea Harper, visit HighBallHalloween.com.

blog content provided by Christa Sidman

Althea Harper

Althea Harper

We know many of you are most excited about the Costume Couture Fashion Showdown — and well you should! This is what’s going to set  our Columbus Halloween celebration apart from all other cities’ celebrations. As you know Columbus is one of THE most creative cities around — don’t let our football reputation fool you! As proof, we had two designers on this season’s round of Project Runway and both Kelli and Terri have agreed to be part of the show. Here’s some of Kelli’s advice about making YOUR Halloween costume memorable!

When choosing a costume for Halloween, I usually try to incorporate my natural design aesthetic into the idea. In my case, the costume ends up looking, “pretty ugly.” Just think— ”vintage doll meets psychotic lunatic!”

Although “pretty” is key, I strive to avoid “sexy”. Being scary is what Halloween is all about, and I LOVE applying the over the top makeup!

Last year, I was interested in painting myself, as well as creating a unique costume that both my boyfriend and I could be a part of.

My initial plan, as always, was to think of something that was pretty, but was also “mean.” My boyfriend was interested in being a witch doctor, so immediately I thought, “VOODOO DOLL!!!!”

Once the idea is in place, there is no stopping me. I started by buying burlap and whipping up a dress. Then I  ripped apart a grass skirt and made straw for the tulle underneath the skirt. The most difficult part was getting the pins to stick in my neck! I did some research, and discovered that I could layer latex and shove the straight pins in BEFORE I glued it to my neck……that REALLY made the outfit complete.

My suggestions for creating YOUR Halloween costume is to find out what kind of image that you want to present. Do you want to be Sexy? Scary? Funny? Next, try and find one key “shock element” that will scream your idea, and you can easily build from there.

So HighBall is launched and now we set about making the vision reality. As a longtime event producer, I firmly believe every event should have key features that make it truly experiential. These features combine to become the signature, and differentiate it from all other events. They keep people buzzing for weeks or months after the event fades. For HighBall, there are many features, but the overarching (Short North pun intended) signature has to be its artistic creativity. HighBall will be an immersion in absolute fabulousness. It will be a celebration of Columbus’ creative class. It’s not the stereotypical witches, goblins and ghouls. It’s wow-factor, alter-egos, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and trick-or-treat “eye candy.” It’s simply fabulous.

Sometimes fabulousness isn’t easy. In fact, it can be downright arduous. But I so admire the people who decide to invest the effort because they live for the fabulous moments. They invest their art and soul into a project because they want to create an experience for themselves and for all those around them. That artistic drive is at the heart of HighBall. And it is what will make HighBall different than anything out there.

Today, here’s the story behind the couture costume fashion showdown… this is a competition for professional fashion designers and design students. Each contestant will present 3-4 items from his/her collection and add a HighBall couture costume to the set. Then they will hit a 40 foot runway staged in the middle of High Street. Thumping music, struttin’ models, a wild audience, and 4 decision-making judges. The incomparable Nina West, drag queen extraordinaire and 2008 National Entertainer of the Year, will be our celebrity emcee for this fierce fashion showdown. Someone will be crowned HighBall couture costume designer of the year and receive a $1,000 prize package… and, of course, ultimate bragging rights. More so, perhaps, all the designers will have an awesome platform to share their creativity, both in their signature collections and in their couture costumes, with an audience of influential and inspired fashion fanatics… Columbus’ creative class.

Our first two enthusiastic partners are Kelli Martin (a recent participant on Project Runway and founder of AntiLabel), and Esther Chung. Both have design businesses in Columbus, and both have a passion for the expressiveness of Halloween. If you are interested in being a spotlighted designer in the heart of the couture costume fashion showdown, drop me an email at johnangelo@shortnorth.org or give me a call at 614.299.8050 x13… and help spread the word.

Next time, details on the costume contest (for the general public) and on the dogtober halloween procession.

Ciao for now.