Geek Chic at Magfest Pt. 2 - Purses/Bags

Welcome back to week 2 of the 5 week Magfest fashion break down. This will be briefest entry in the series.

I realize this week is called "Purses/Bags," and last week was "Hats," but I assure you that purses and bags are not all I intend to discuss. The week by week topics are just convenient ways for me to group the interview subjects. But I discuss much more than the topic of the week with each person. So, let's get down to business with a subject I know almost nothing about...

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3. Pixel Jane

I actually know Pixel Jane personally. She works for Studio Nasu, which you should check out even if you only have a passing interest in video games and comics. I have heard rumblings that she may start writing for DC Geeks soon, doing her own regular fashion piece. If you are enjoying these segments, I strongly suggest you sound off in the comments section and peer pressure her into writing for us.

Pixel Jane is among the most fashion forward geeks you will ever meet. Much like Ashley from last week, she seamlessly weaves her geek identity with more mainstream fashion. But unlike Ashley's look, Pixel Jane goes for a much more understated look. She is a mother of two, so she tries to keep her look PTA appropriate, but she also likes her fashion to say something about her personality.

In this photo she is wearing dark wash blue-jeans with a flared leg, a black shirt, and a white shawl. If you examine the shawl closely, you’ll see it has that the pattern on it is Asian dragons twisting and turning their way across the garment. She and her husband are anime fanatics and video-game enthusiasts. The shawl is a nice nod to that.

Now let's talk about the that bag. Pixel Jane says she grew up in a rock & roll household. She loves punk rock and expresses that interest in her bag. The bag is designed by Iron Fist, and she picked the bag up for $40 at Punk.com. Punk.com carries the whole Iron Fist line including purses, wallets, check books, shoes, belts, etc. The best thing about this bag is that, standing alone, it is overtly Goth, and yet she pulls it off in such a way it almost looks Orange County main stream. It must coordinating colors in her shawl.

Pixel Jane also put me onto a number of other geek and punk themed fashion websites (listed at the end of this article), including Loungefly. Pixel Jane then stopped me mid conversation to direct my attention to….

4: Camille Trejo

Camille, who was up from Richmond, Virginia, is conveniently sporting a bag by Loungefly. Camille told me the bag is normally $55, but that she bought as a Chirstmas present for herself on cyber-Monday and got it 20% off. That’s right. She buys Christmas presents for herself. Feel free to judge her.

The leather jacket, the punk bag, the animal print skirt, it screams Bronx tough girl, but she softens the image with the flower in her hair. Ordinarily it might not work, but it has such a latin flavor, matched in the Dia de Muertes bag that she pulls it off. Often it’s the small touches that really bring an ensemble together.

When I asked Camille why she bothered to put as much thought as she did into an outfit she was just wearing to a con, she told me she dresses like this everyday. She also said “I think self presentation is really important, and as an artist I like to express myself through my appearance.”

According to Camille, Loungefly was a vendor at last year’s Dragon*Con. If you are going to Dragon*Con this year, keep an eye out for them.

Next week, vests!

EDIT - Whoops! Forgot to include those links. Here you go, readers:

http://www.punk.com/

http://www.loungefly.com/

http://www.shopplasticland.com/

http://www.sourpussclothing.com/index.asp

http://www.toofastonline.com/

http://www.folterclothing.com/

http://www.shop-steady.com/

http://www.teemagnet.com/

http://www.thwipster.com/

http://www.pinupgirlclothing.com/

http://shop.kitschnkouture.com/