Fierce Beasts...And Where To Find Them - Within!

It seems to me that, if you have a love of fashion, you have a beast inside - a kind of style spirit animal (or animals) whose aura you tap into when you go to your fierce place. So what if, instead of using that spirit as inspiration, you let it out to play? What if you actually became the beast? This Halloween, we're going to explore exactly that through the Divas and KO's and the animal instincts they conjure up for us. We're going to seek the fierce in it's raw form - complete with fur and claws and blazing eyes! - and let it run wild for a night, with us inside instead of the other way around. The true uncharted territory, the real safari, the forest where these creatures roam is a place we can all travel to - if we dare! Come with us and seek the beast within!

Mandy has recently styled herself WWE's Golden Goddess - an apt description, when you see her looking resplendent in head-to-toe metallic. She's beautiful and strong and fearless - definitely a huntress! When that tenacious spirit is dressed up in gold, it makes us think of one thing: lions! And not just any lion, but the French "gryphon d'ore" - literally Golden Griffon, an animal with the body of a lion and wings of an eagle, said to make its nest near gold mines in the desert. J. K. Rowling echoed the image as the crest of brave and honorable Gryffindor House. If Mandy let her golden lion-heart loose, it would look much like her latest gear: shimmering from head to toe in golden lamé or sequins. Beige or caramel suede boots would complete the look. Naturally, she'd need a golden lion mask to show the theme to its full advantage. And, to add a little magic to the mythology, she'd wrap a Gryffindor-themed scarf around her neck.

We call her "Foxy" Fierce, so Alicia's spirit beast is quite obvious :). Majestic and graceful as they are though,not just any ordinary fox would do for the Foxy One. Her inner animal is clearly royalty among its kind: the Teumessian Fox.  A legend of Ancient Greece, the animal was destined never to be caught and, finally, was set in the sky as a star by Zeus. Such a fox, if left to walk in human form,  would surely dress in a coat of glorious fur, with leggings of soft tan. Fur-lined boots would adorn its feet and fuzzy fox ears would attest to its true nature for those who chose to look deep enough.

Somehow, I always associate Becky with fire. Whether it's her flaming red hair or Chandra Nalaar references, there's something intrinsically incendiary about her presence. If she let that inner energy free, I can clearly envision it taking the form of a Firebird, a marvelous avis that is the raison d'tre of a long journey, and who brings hope and light and whose feathers are magical. If the bird were to inhabit this plane, it's clothing would surely have some nod to its fiery nature. Red wings would let it soar on the air, while a feathered bird mask would express its fierceness. Lug-sole boots and a multi-buckled belt would reference the heat-driven steampunk genre that Becky so often finds herself at home with.

There can be no doubt Stephanie's spirit would take the form of a Queen Bee. She rules the hive and everyone else takes their marching orders from her Highness. If they don't, they feel the sting! Yellow and black stripes would surely be the raiment of such an aura, paired with black leggings or tights.  And antennae headband (DIY one with black chenille stems and cotton balls) would reveal the creature's insect-ian nature, while a crown would indicate her high rank. She would likely adorn the rest of her outfit with massive jewels, befitting of royalty, as well. She might even add a set of glittered bee's wings..in case she wanted to take flight.

Charlotte's love of capes suggests both grace and beauty. When she adds feathers, the image becomes suggestive of a magnificent bird - a dark swan. Many legends reference humans and even gods turning into swan; they are the creatures everyone wants to be. The dark swan holds a special place in story because for years, it was believed not to exist. A proverb was even built around the belief. When living ones were discovered, the concept was revolutionized: dark swans are revelations that change everything. How very Charlotte! If that rebel spirit were loosed, it would require dark wings or a  feathered cape, set against black leggings and a jeweled or sequined top to suggest its otherworldly and transformative qualities. Dark holographic leggings would be another option, showing a swirl of mysterious deep blues, greens and purples. Austere make-up and dark lips would demonstrate the creature's unique and uncommon character.
 
This is the first part in the Fierce Beast series.