Mask Masters

Posted by Valerie, Senior Editor

Here at Martha Stewart HQ, Halloween ranks right up there at the top of the holiday hierarchy: What other day can compete with its combination of creativity, humor, and, um, candy? Blueprint-ers are hardcore costume people, and we thought we'd share some of our recent favorites with you. (Trust me, none involves cookie-cutter getups from the party-supply shop.)

 

Senior Art Director Lisa Thé, in 2004, as Bjork at the 2001 Oscars.

 

Associate Managing Editor Sarah Rutledge as "The Bitter Bridesmaid," 2003. She says: "The smeared lipstick is on purpose, and I walked the New York Village Halloween Parade shouting, 'It should have been me! When will it be my turn?"

 

Me, as an unlucky knife thrower's assistant, 2006.

 

Design Production Associate Sydney Applegate as Margot Tenenbaum, 2004...

 

...and in 2006, as one half of Patsy and Edina from "Absolutely Fabulous."

Our Style Intern, Rachel Lexier, 2006. She says: "I was the goddess of wine, and, might I add, very popular that night."

Duane Stapp, Senior Design Production Associate, as a pigeon in the New York Village Halloween Parade. Duane was part of a flock, and the birds' heads were mounted on sticks so that they could be made to bob in a lifelike way...

...and as part of an ensemble cast portraying "Chinese food."

Editorial Coordinator Rachel Boyle as Rosemary (and her baby).

Associate Fashion Editor Sarah Conroy, with her hair in a literal bird's nest.

Now tell us what your greatest costumes were, and what you plan to be this year!

Comments

[Doug Collins]

Hi, where did you find the pigeon costume? I would love to get one. Thanks for your help.

Doug

[Doug Collins]

Hi, where did you find the pigeon costume? I would love to get one. Thanks for your help.

Doug

[Doug Collins]

Hi, where did you find the pigeon costume? I would love to get one. Thanks for your help.

Doug

[Alisha]

Haha, I was margot tenenbaum last year, and I am planning on being bjork in the swan dress this year, funny how I found both of those costumes on this page!

[Heather]

I'm going as the Black Widow. I found this great pill hat with a big spider, lots of fun feathers, and a veil. I'm pairing it with a black velvet funeral dress, a black lace shawl, black tights and pumps. I'm going to have spider web fingernails and plastic spiders pinned to my outfit. It's the first time I've dressed up since childhood, and I'm stoked!

[NewEnglandah]

I love the sexy Abe Lincoln idea - I went as sexy Larry Bird on a similar theory (if you're an 80's Boston Celtics fan, you're aware of how unflattering short shorts can be on pale men!) The only failure was that I couldn't find a good, wispy Larry Bird moustache. Ah well, such is life. I saw a guy dressed as Jesus Christ though, which sort of made me start thinking sexy savior for next year. Too far? Perhaps.

[Lola]

Last year I went as Karl Lagerfeld. so many strangers mimiced fashion snob accents and would tell me how "fah-bulous" I was. That may of been my most favorite, budget friendly and comment rearing costume to date.

this year the boy and i are going as "WHAMpires". still trying to figure out how i'm going to fit all of my hair under a mullet wig.

really love the pigeon costume!

[katherine]

My best costume was Axl Rose a few years ago. I had a sock in my pants, five o'clock shadow, and fans everywhere I went. sigh

this year Fiend without a Face!

[Kate]

You're the prettiest girl with I've knife in her eye I've ever seen!

This year I decided to go as Sexy Abe Lincoln. I'm tired of girls just dressing as "Sexy __________" so I decided to pick something completely weird to make sexy.

[Jessica]

One year I was Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds- cloud pajamas, covered in big rhinestones, a crown of silver & gold stars, blue glittery face make-up and a Lucy name tag. That's probably my most clever costume.

The hubster and I were John & Yoko one year, he bears a resemblance to Lennon, so it worked really well. Last year we were Bonnie & Clyde, and tonight we'll be going to a party as Brad & Janet from Rocky Horror Picture Show. Let's do the Time Warp again!

[becky]

Oh my God, you all are TOO GOOD! I have been that bridesmaid, pretty much every time someone makes me set foot in a David's Bridal (ugh!) or suffer through an alcohol-free bridal shower. Yet my friends continue to ask me to be in their weddings (I'm 35 for God's sake, shouldn't there be an age limit?), I have no idea why!

I totally thought that was Gwenyth, and the swan costume is genius!

[Gilmore Girl]

my husband and I attended a costume party as a waiter and waitress from the Cafe DuMonde --we used the hats we bought back as souvenirs from our New Orleans honeymoon

it seemed to be a sight which triggered memories for many

[Katie]

The best halloween costume I had was in kindergarden when I was a blue crayon. It was hand-made by my mother, and was complete with blue tights, blue keds sneakers, and a felt hat in the shape of the tip. It was fabulous. I wish I still had it!

[Lauren]

It was great,last year I paper mached a corset and created a skirt all from newspaper. Add my hair in a french twist and lots of pearls, obviously I was the gossip column:) Wish I could send a picture.

[Paule Anne]

I love all the creativity that went into these costumes!

Two years ago I was a beach lifeguard, complete with a lifeguard sweatshirt, red sweatpants, flip flops, and whistle. I topped that all off with a big, round orange life preserver that I found on Ebay and I also gave out Lifesavers candies. Such fun!

[Courtney Baker]

These are all so great, but Sydney's Margot Tenenbaum is so believable! My favorite costume is when my husband and I dressed up as Charlie Brown and Lucy... this year, I'd really like to be Marie Antoinette, but I haven't started on my costume so I am not thinking that will happen...