NOTICE TO ALL YE WHO ENTER HERE

1: COPYRIGHT OF ALL OF THESE PHOTOGRAPHS BELONGS TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER FIRST, ME SECOND, AND THE MODEL THIRD.

IF YOU REPRODUCE ANY OF THESE PHOTOS WITHOUT ALL OF OUR WRITTEN PERMISSION, I WILL SUE YOU IN ANY COURT IN THE LAND.

MAZEL TOV!

Thank you for all the lovely compliments, tags, photo comments, listings, etc. I do read them ALL. I’m quite the voyeur that way.

About me:

My name is Victoria Rooney and I am the owner and creator of Athenais Designs.

Athenais Designs has been in operation since 2005. By this I mean I have been designing, constructing, a few discount commissions for friends, and doing fashion shows since 2005. I do not currently sell my work or accept commissions for sale but am planning the big launch for that this winter. Part of this is that there were complications in my life that prevented me from doing so and the other is that honestly...it felt a little like selling my soul. (I'm a Pisces, can't you tell?) That was then, this is now.

I'm relaunching Athenais Designs with the goal of producing a spring and fall collection for sale every year.

I'm a gothic designer. I make couture evening gowns, club gear, halloween costumes, wedding and bridesmaids' dresses, and other assortments of girly confections. Also, I'm a nerd in a really big way. Call me a frugal technocrat, if you will. 

I'm a math geek and a Pisces and this is the only creative outlet that has ever truly melded the twin aspects of my nature.

I love steampunk, belly dance/tribal themes, industrial, rockabilly, and medieval, Victorian, Elizabethan and Edwardian historically-influenced gothic clothing. I'm not a huge fan of horror/gore or burlesque.

****IF I HAVEN'T EMAILED YOU BACK*****

Please don't assume that I am not interested.

For non-gothic/alternative models:

A. I only work with gothic/alternative models. I commend you for branching out into aspects of different social constructs to flesh out your portfolio but if we worked together, I would want different hair colors, pale skin*, tattoos and piercings and that certain essence that is dark. It would make it very difficult for both of us, and potentially hugely expensive for me if I have to scrap the photos if they ended up looking too contrived.

* I am dying to work with multi-cultural gothic/alternative models. So if you are not of pale skin, please contact me!

Someday I might do a contemporary line but it's about a decade away. At least a decade.

For Fashion Show Producers:

A. I insist upon my own models. Nothing says alternative clothes like true alternative models.
B. Please please please give me at least 2 months notice. I always use new designs for fashion shows and I can not possibly pull together a decent show with any less and there's no point putting on the show unless it will be dramatic and well executed.

For Photographers:

A. I do pay for photographers. I usually chase down the paid photographers myself. What I am looking for is a very versatile photographer who is fearless, incredibly gifted and has impeccable taste in editing.

That said, please email me anyway. If you are interested in TFP, let me know! If your portfolio has mostly nudes I won't be interested. I have nothing against it, but generally need a portfolio that uses the clothing with the model.

B. I always use a contractual agreement/release. I have been burned before. ::laughs:: But seriously, it's just a simple this is what I'm delivering, this is what you are delivering type thing, no signing over of the first born male type contract. Also, since this is a business, my paying you is an expense and I do need your business information for tax season.

C. I want to make art, not portfolio fillers. If you have an idea for something WILD, chances are I will go for it.

D. On set and off, I will respect your creative flow. On set, you are the master/mistress of the show and I will watch and give opinions/assist with posing if asked.

For Models:

I am actively looking for models in the New England area. Please send me:

- your online portfolio OR
- a simple head shot without heavy makeup and in daylight. I'm looking for interesting bone structure.
- your most recent hair coloring! I've had that surprise as well. I don't require you to keep a particular color and let's be honest, sometimes the brilliant colors fade too quickly. I like black hair, or funky combinations of colors. Basically, I don't do brown, or blonde. Purple, blue, green, pink, striped, bring it on. I can make my own hairpieces as well. I like betty page bangs, mohawks, fauxhawks, undercuts and shaved sides. I prefer medium to long-length hair.
- a simple body shot of regular clothes that fits but is neither tight or baggy.
- a list of your ports to start with and then:

A. The first step after acceptance is measurements.
-I take over 40. Everywhere. I pattern draft from them.
-Bring boy shorts and a bra that fits but doesn't compress anything. DO NOT FORGET THE BOY SHORTS.
-All of your measurements are confidential.
-Fair warning: I take measurements of you without the bra as well as with the bra. Many of my gowns require strapless and/or no bra so I DO tend towards the small breasted model.
-If you are large-chested this doesn't mean you're exempted. It just usually means that I will spend a few more hours sculpting and supporting the bodice but I need to know how they will...oh, you know what I'm talking about. We're all women here.
-I'm no longer using blonde models because I have too much of it in my portfolio. Maybe in a year or two.

Then after that comes fittings. These can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Each dress I make REQUIRES about 3-4 fittings, unless you are more than 100 miles away. (If that is the case, I will try to schedule an all day fitting and WILL throw in gas money.) Depends on how accurate my pattern drafting is and whether or not your measurements have changed, to be honest.

After that comes scheduling the shoot with the photographer and you. I pay for actual shoot time, not for the fittings. IF the photos come out well, I do give the clothes to you.

B. I expect you to be polite, on time for fittings and shoots, no crazy diets, take care of yourself in a healthy way. Good skin is important to me and I'm not a sizist, (I'm a big old fat girl) but I do get annoyed if your measurements change in between fittings. I don't get all squirrelly wrath on you, I promise.

C. You can tell from my clothes and port that I do not enjoy making women look like whores but that doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy a divinely sexy pose every now and again. Please don’t email me a list of body parts that you hate to show. It rankles. And if you don’t understand why it’s annoying, think about it.

D. If I suspect that you are a cutter*, on drugs, drunk, or just plain crazy, we will never work together. I’ll probably try to get you in therapy, 'cuz I’m kind of a mom that way.

scarification and branding?: YES, PLEASE!
seeping wounds and band-aids?: NO. just no. Unleessssss it's a zombie themed shoot. Or horror/gore...which isn't really my cuppa.

E. For God’s sake, if I’ve just taken your measurements and you decide you are now too fat and go on a diet, crazy or not, I will be very irritated. My work is couture, mostly handsewn and fitted. If you lose even 2 pounds you could potentially ruin 30 hours worth of work. I will not be a happy designer.

F. You may ALWAYS bring along an escort on the shoots. I wouldn't work with a photographer who doesn't allow it and the photoshoots that I book are typically filled with a photog, an MUA, me, my intern and a dressing assistant.

If it's a shoot with more than 1 model, I also usually have an assistant with me too.

At that point, it's really the more the merrier anyway and besides, your escort can drive you home afterwards when you're too exhausted.

G. PLUS-SIZED MODELS PLEASE READ!: I am planning a plus sized couture line and hoping to have it out by 2017. I AM VERY INTERESTED. The types of quality, couture, plus sized clothing available to us dark-minded is, generally, terrible. I need a house model to experiment with construction techniques who is also photogenic and confident. CONFIDENCE IS MORE IMPORTANT.

H: If it's a paid shoot, I do need your information for tax season.

I: FOR MALE MODELS: I plan on working on a men's collection in 2014.

J: 18+ ONLY. I PREFER 21+. YOUR LIFE ISN'T OVER AFTER YOU TURN 21.

I never work with minors, never have, never will and it doesn't matter how lovely or experienced you are. It has to do with a legal issue. If you are a minor, I can not enter into a legally binding contract with you unless your parent/legal guardian signs and it's just too complicated. Hit me up on your 18th birthday!

Whew! Now that that's out of the way...!

I hope you enjoy my work!

Love,
Victoria

I should probably put my street cred up on here, huh?

Photographers I have worked with and HEAVILY recommend:

Zale #4576 - "My first professional photographer. ::nostalgia:: Zale has a very diverse and calm demeanor, tasteful nudes, has a true appreciation for the human form, landscapes, and is incredibly talented. Impeccable taste. Incredibly patient with newbs."

Rubicat - "Rubicat is a very diverse photographer, a warm and calm demeanor, impeccable taste in editing. Amazing use of location and very curious and willing to try new things"

Ian X #76398 - "I was shocked and delighted that an artist of his caliber responded to my casting call and though he works with the nude form frequently, he just blew my ****ing mind with the way he used my samples. Flawless and deeply introspective and my favorite."

Models that I have worked with* and HEAVILY recommend**:

Lil Dead Girl #277465
Kristan R. #835971
Remnant or Emowin #7686

MUA's I have worked with and recommend:

Krystal Gail Makeup FX #852107 "AMAZING."

Fashion Shows that I have shown work in:

The Black Sun Festival TechStyles Fashion Show 2006 and 2008*
The New Designers Fetish Flea Market Fashion Show 2009

*organized the show as well.

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