Nightmare on the Strip

It's that time of year again, when many kids (and adults) arm themselves with swords (usually plastic) to extort candy from their peaceful neighbors.

Fencers clearly have a costuming advantage. All we have to do is pillage our equipment bags to embellish our outfits.

I remember one year I scared the bejeezus out of the kids coming to our house by opening the door clad in a dark robe, complete with hood thrown over a black fencing mask. Apparently that, by itself, was enough to induce terror, but there is so much more that can be done with our stuff!

Women's Vet 50 foilist (and World Team member) George Love concocted this gem for her club's Halloween fesitivities:

Personally, I think epee fencers are scary to begin with, but if you need to gild the lily:

Source here

There are many variations on the classic skull. Here's another, from Mary Hart on Pinterest, channelling the Nightmare Before Christmas: 

And from Alex Fiacchone, also on Pinterest, the Punisher:

But there is so much more to fright than skulls. Perhaps you've heard of the Scary Clown sightings around the world? Fencing clubs are not immune.

I love this one, though I don't know whether it is original, or homage to a classic with which I am unfamiliar. 

Courtesy HEMAAlliance.com on Pinterest

Allison loves this one, because she's a Star Wars geek:

In the interest of being thorough, I did a Google Image search on ="fencing mask" and "Hillary Clinton" or "Donald Trump." I was very relieved nothing turned up. 

So how about it? Add links to your own fencing-related costumes in the comment section below, or post pictures on the USFA Women's Veteran Fencing page on Facebook. Let's see what you've got!

A-Diorable Fencing Fashion

It's particularly gratifying when fencing fashion bleeds onto the couture runway. Most recently, Allison and I are squeeing over the designs in Maria Grazia Chiuri's debut collection for Dior Spring/Summer 2017, recently showcased at Paris Fashion Week.   

The most explicit homage looks a good idea like the first fencing jacket I ever owned, right down to the snap closures: 

 

(Though of course my foil jacket had a crotch strap.) If only I had paired it with a tutu for practice.

If snaps aren't enough, add a few buckles for good measure 

This next version is embroidered with what I think are bees. Heraldically, bees stand for industrious and indefatigable effort--a good symbol for fencing practice, yes?

Several of the looks draw inspiration from plastrons, I think. 

And then there's this, which (if it were in black) would make a very nice coaching jacket. (Note that Chiuri even paired it with very practical sneakers!)

Oh, hey, here we go--black. And with a veil that kinda channels a fencing mask. 

Now if only she had ended the show with a fencing-inspired wedding dress. :)

Photos from the Los Angeles Times, The Dapifer, and South China Morning Post.

Pan American Youth and Veteran Championships

I spent the last week of August in sunny Puerto Rico for the Pan American Youth and Veteran Fencing Championships. It's what it says on the tin - a competition for youth and vet fencers from North/South/Central American countries and the Caribbean. 

Part of the fun was seeing all of the country uniforms during the opening ceremonies:

Chile appeared to have several designs for the backs of their sweats:

Old and new USA logos on display:

Venezuela were easily the most colorful:

And brilliantly costumed vejigantes led the Puerto Rican delegation in their red and white: