Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you all have a wonderful, gluttonous holiday. Share it with your family,
your friends, your belly, and bring a little bit of joy to others who really need it. Whether you’re celebrating with turkey on the menu or not, I hope you’re surrounded by those you love – and don’t spend this day running away from
a sly hungry fox.

FYI – keep an eye on Torynova Couture tomorrow for Black Friday sales. Support artisans and craftsmen by buying hand-made gifts or better yet, make them yourself! Don’t spend tonight into tomorrow in line at a department store.

Gobble, gobble.

– Tory
tn@torynova.com

La Casita

Torynova Couture is now being sold at La Casita, a little gem of a boutique in the center of Ridgewood, NJ. The owner Elena and her staff are supporters of local artisans and are in possession of a unique collective of work that really caters to women of different ages. Their shop has been around for over 20 years! Hopefully their loyal customers will enjoy seeing a splash of illustrated flare in the window display!

If you’re in the area, go check it out! They are currently carrying a variety TNC merchandise, including both long and small square silk scarves for Swan Lake, Carmen, Midsummer Night’s Dream and Annabel Lee. They also have two men’s ties and the gorgeous front-runner Annabel Lee dress that seems to be “stealing the show” in the front display.

 

– Tory
tn@torynova.com

Hubba, Hubba, Hercules!

Torynova Couture has just expanded its Wearable Stories Collection into 4 new styles, now available in the store! The new additions are based off of the 12 Labors of Hercules – Labor #2 Lernean Hydra and Labor #12 Hound of Hades:

After being tormented by the jealous goddess Hera, Hercules [the son of Zeus] had lost his mind and killed his wife and children. When he awoke from this state of insanity, he was so stricken with grief that he pleaded for help from the god Apollo. The god’s oracle cast his punishment as servitude to king Eurystheus for 12 years. As part of his sentence, Hercules had to perform 12 Labors, which were feats deemed nearly impossible to complete. With the assistance of sympathetic deities, Hercules combated each labor. Thus he gained the identity of being the legendary Greek hero.

The 2nd Labor: Hercules vs. The Hydra, a deadly serpent that can regenerate its nine heads and seeps with poisonous venom and blood.

The 12th Labor: Hercules vs. Cerberus, the three-headed ferocious Hound of Hades that must be captured and taken from the Underworld.

Looking good, no? These additions are gorgeous and well-fit for the body. They would be perfect for the avant guarde, fashion forward trendsetter of society. I plan on wearing Herc vs Hydra to all the holiday/gallery parties this fall season because it just looks so great and FIERCE! Check them out in the store.

– Tory
tn@torynova.com
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Masquerade! Paper faces on parade.

Halloween is right around the corner!
As always, I am in a frantic search for the perfect costume…

Option 1 will always be to become a Wearable Story from my selection of artistic interpretations by Torynova Couture. Speaking of which, I should mention that by the end of this week I will be unveiling 2 more art designs in 2 styles of dresses with matching men’s ties. They’re going to be pretty rockin’ hot! To get an idea of what to look for, read up on the 12 Labors of Hercules as my inspiration. Funny tidbit: so the actual size of the painting by Antonio Pollaiuolo in that wikipedia article is like 4 x 6 inches. I stumbled onto that sweet little marvel at the Uffizi gallery in Florence.

Option 2 is to MAKE A COSTUME! This has been my tactic since oh so many years ago in senior year of high school, which was the first year I actually ever dressed up for Halloween (insert sad story about immigration-related cultural clash). Mostly I just purchase components like paint, hair, fabric, fangs, etc. The end result is a hodgepodge of creative fury strategically combined to form a new identity as a Harajuku girl, vampire, mime, Sookie (OG True Blood fan) etc.

This Year I’m making masks! So far, I have 2 looks down: Frankenmonster and Skullmonster. I feel like a pioneer in the illustration/mask industry; after all, these masks are made with my copyrighted artwork and produced under my company label. I still can’t decide if they’re scary or adorable. The fabric is 100% organic cotton knit, which feels baby soft against the skin, looks vintage, has stretch, and best of all, can be washed and reused! It’s the perfect material, way better than paper, plastic, or worst of all rubber (yuck!).

If you’d like to purchase one, they’re currently available in my Etsy store in an ADULT SIZE (age post-pubescent-growth-spurt and up) and in a CHILD SIZE soon-to-come. If you’d like to receive one before Halloween, I will try my hardest to make it happen. I say “if” because there are people, like myself, that really wouldn’t mind wearing a costume once in a while to spice up the ol’ daily routine. Regardless of whether or not someone else finds them cool, I will be wearing one proudly come October 31st. However, I will probably be going to fancy masquerade parties wearing a sexy TNC dress ~ HINT!

So, the question is, what are YOU dressing up as for Halloween?

– Tory
tn@torynova.com

And, in case you’re curious, the title is a line from Phantom of the Opera’s Masquerade scene/song.

Who doesn’t like Vivaldi?

It only took two weeks in Europe to feel my senses fully replenished from a year’s worth of tedious labor, aimed at making something sensible out of Torynova Couture. I know there is so much more to be done and I face a long stretch of road, but for the time being it feels ok. Overflowing with inspiration, my drive will be the source of all that is to come – and believe this busy beaver when she says that there is a LOT of fight left in her.

So, not that anyone’s noticed, but oh hey, it’s Autumn! Sure feels weird outside. Rain, cold, warmth, sun, rain, cold, warmth sun, rain/sun/cold/warm. What is going on planet Earth? It was incredibly hot in Florence – high 80′s in the first week of September, and low 70′s in the 2nd week in Paris. That difference was definitely felt. Seasonal change is inspiring, because it’s sudden and creeping. For instance, when I go outside these days, I still expect the leaves to be on the trees, not starting to gather on the ground. Damn.

Well, ode to the great Vivaldi and his Four Seasons:

On that note, some related new painted necklaces:
Summer seems so far away [again]. Oh well, time to hit the pumpkin patch in search of the Great Pumpkin.

– Tory
tn@torynova.com

Be sure to stop by Torynova Couture for some spook-tastic fashion treats:

French Bulldog Birthday!

Today is Milo Kowalski’s birthday, and in his honor, I created a little birthday greeting. Currently, I’m a little overly obsessed with a certain big-eared animal and it shows, even here. But honestly, who can resist a mug like that? A dog-mouse-larva face as cute as this must be put to good artistic use… now if only I could afford one of my very own.

Sketch:

Finish:

– Tory
tn@torynova.com

TNC Site Update

Thought I would mention that TorynovaCouture.com just got a little energy boost. We’ve updated the website to feature most of our current styles. Now all that is missing is a checkout, but that too is under way. Be sure to pop by and see some of our changes. Remember, more photos for each garment are available in our Etsy store at TorynovaCouture.etsy.com.

And if you haven’t already, join us on Facebook and Twitter, or else you might miss out on some crucial information like discounts, new items, photo shoots, spotlights, and shout-outs to our favorite customers.

– Tory
tn@torynova.com
TNC on Facebook
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