Raven Jake Dawes

24th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design at FIDM

I haven't been by my old alma mater, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising for quite a spell, and that's kind of a shame because they have two terrific exhibits up now - the Oscar costumes and some gorgeous Victorian fans. 

Over there at the right, I'm hanging out with the costumes from The Revenant, but if that ain't your thing, they've got MacBeth, Cinderella, Crimson Peak, Hateful Eight, Mad Max and the main draw (according to our docent) is the costumes from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  Literally there is something for everybody. 

 

Dates: February 9, 2016–April 30, 2016

10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

(Museum will be open on Monday, February 29 and closed on Friday, March 4)

Location: FIDM Museum

919 S. Grand AvenueLos Angeles, CA 90015

Admission: Free to the public

Creepy fun fact: The belt on this dress from Crimson Peak is made from human hair. It is not a special effect! 

 

Scott Hove at Think Tank Gallery

Scott Hove, responsible for Oakland's wonderful Cakeland, is shaking and baking things up here in LA in the heart of the fabric district. Get on down to the Think Tank gallery where you don't eat cakes - they eat you.  This is can't-miss installation art sure to put a smile on your face and also get you thinking - and the pink frosted cake maze is mandatory. Admission is free, but reservations are advised. They're also doing lots of specially-ticketed events, so keep an eye out in case one catches your fancy. 

Think Tank Art Gallery - 939 Maple Avenue. Second Floor. Los Angeles, CA 90015

 

Krampus 2015

Y'all recall my epic Krampus suit of 2013? Big furry son of a gun? 

Now that was a great suit, but after my bypass surgery, I couldn't handle walkin' that thing around any more, so I sold it to my friend Drew. Looks better on him anyway. That's Krampus 2013 on the right. But I haven't gotten all of the Krampus out of my system, so it was back to the drawing board. 

First, I made some hooves:

 

 

 

 

 

Then I got to cranking out the rest of my swag. That's me and Jane at the Krampus Ball. Vern Evans took the photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When it came to the Doo Dah parade I knew I needed to switch my look up, so I went for this one:

Now I'm a little embarrassed to admit as a lifelong LA guy that this was my first Doo Dah parade. I assure you that it won't be the last. What a tremendous amount of fun. I'll definitely be seein' y'all there next year! 

Adios, Dredlocks

By the time I was done with Wasteland, I was done with dredlocks too.  Life is short and I don't have time for all the foolin' around that they entail. I spent the better part of the year trying to make em look like somethin' but I don't have the genetics or the time to make it work. So one fine autumn day, I sat out in the yard and cut 'em all off and then went out and got a decent haircut. This ain't it, by the way. You'll see the difference. Now I can brush my hair with a towel instead of messing around with sprays and wax and crochet hooks.  Shout out to my boy Shara at Anew Luke.

Anew Luke Salon

2418 Honolulu Ave
Ste F
Montrose, CA 91020
(818) 248-1316

Wasteland Weekend 2015

Folks , I'm behind on my postin!' That isn't to say I haven't been doing anything. Especially if getting dressed up is involved. Here are a few pics from this year's Wasteland Weekend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Summer Wedding

Among the tricks in Raven Jake's bag, is that I am an ordained minister, and if the occasion calls for it, I can join a couple in Holy Matrimony. Mostly I can talk 'em out of it, but if a couple is dead set on getting hitched, not even I can stand in their way.  

Now it so happens that our dear friends Rachel and Jason decided to tie the knot in beautiful Sonoma with just a few select friends around, and they chose me as their officiant. Reverend Raven Jake was mighty glad to help out. 

Let me tell you, that when a couple is this in love, it is a joy to be around them and bless them with a happy marriage.  After the ceremony, held near a vineyard, we adjourned to the French Laundry for once-in-a-lifetime dinner. Shout out to Bob McClenahan for taking such terrific photos.