WWE.com Photoshoot: Carnival Noire, Pt. 2

Alicia found just the right balance between simplicity and circus freak-ness with her look. Her ruched gold mini dress took (pardon the pun) center stage, while her striped stockings added the requisite zany twist, with some help from her super-sized fishnets and lacy glove. As a pure fashion moment, her strappy metallic sandals are a highlight of the whole photoshoot. Her turns with the black balloons are cool, but as a prop, nothing tops that incredible black feathered fan! The piece itself is amazing and Foxy works it like a pro. Her innate grace and athleticism is on display in her poses and the pics are the better for it - there's a haunting beauty to her snaps, and it continues even with her sitting poses. Her contemplative sideways gaze is both uplifted and sorrowful, a bittersweet expression of passion for entertaining and boredom with the continuous grind. It's no surprise that a flamboyant personality like Alicia's would excel in a role like this that really lets her explore her ability to take on a dramatic character, but it's still a thrill to savor the results! The more consistent lighting in her snaps helps to give them a cohesive feel. Lastly, if  I haven't mentioned this before, I'm wild over the way she has her hair now. The coloring, the waves, the length: it. is. SO. GORGEOUS!

Bayley's usual helter-skelter cataclysm of color is right at home with the theme of this set. Her metallic gold bomber, with its red and black trim, is my favorite piece in this look; it's just MADE for holiday events (and beyond). Her pairing of a bodysuit with tights is spot on for this theme. As with some of the other ladies, I wish she'd simplified her choices just a bit. The printed tights are challenging when the light is bright, although they work nicely in the flatter monochrome light by creating texture. Bay also added an unusual color - a pop of bright lemon - to her look, which works fabulously, suggesting the slightly mad joy of the juggler. The mask adds to the surreal vibes, which Her vintage juggling sticks are a stellar prop, as is the fun "flaming" hoop. Her poses are vivacious and take risks. They don't always work, but they do so often enough to create an entertaining set that conveys her bouncy, silly spirit flawlessly. My favorite is the one of her folded up on the stool; she looks like an adorable, mischievous elf!

I really enjoy how Nikki manages to inject so many current trends into this vintage-themed 'shoot. It updates the look, without being at all jarring or distracting from the feel of the snaps. She pairs an au courant striped cropped tee with an oh so trendy velvet skirt (which, like Bayley's bomber and Foxy's heels, is another piece that would work well beyond this 'shoot). She adds quirkiness with suspenders and a faux flower. Super cute suede ankle boots complete the look - trust Nikki to have a flawless pair of shoes for every possible outfit ;). Along with her poppy pin, her scarlet lips and red tights nod to Nikki's favorite color combo. The overall simplicity of her outfit choices make her look one of my favorites, as it allows Nikki's poses and the setting to be the focal points of the 'shoot. And her poses are divine indeed! She nails the aerialist character with some floating  - and incidentally sexy as all heck - positions which would be equally stunning done flying through the air. Her facials convey persistent seriousness and focus: yes, she's there to look fancy free and entertain you, but she's well aware that a single mistake could end in disaster. The repetition of this emotion gives it force in her set and it underscores the shadowy duality of the whole theme in a subtle, but effective way. She also gets Fierce points for her incredible, intricate mask. We don't get to see it in every shot, but when we do, it makes a magnificent addition. I would have loved seeing her incorporate it even more.

Lana was another starlet who I thought absolutely nailed this theme. She excels at playing the part of a Circassian beauty- it's her favorite dramatic-royalty persona, but this time translated through the dusty, nostalgic medium of the circus. Her vintage parasol is an elegant prop and she uses it well, but with her natural flair for inhabiting a role, she hardly needs it. My favorite of Lana's shots are those with her alone, in the cobalt twilight, posing her fabulous heart out. Her set loses nothing by being one of the most cohesive style-wise: her strapless, frilly party dress is joyous and feminine. She prevents it from being frou-frou by topping it with a serious and luxurious fur vest, which brings just the right balance to the look. She adds an offbeat counterpoint with her inescapably modern metallic gloves, which work best in the muted lighting where they give off an attractive soft glow. Her minimalist suede mid-calf boots are divine: simple, yet modern and sumptuous. Equally ecstasy-inducing is he pearl and crystal statement necklace. Ogh, that piece is magnificent! I would totally wear that! And I love the glamour it adds to the look. Also noteworthy is Lana's choice to leave her hir long and flowing. When doing this type of character, she often goes with an up-do, but this styling is less harsh and haughty, much softer and inviting , which seems more appropriate for an entertainer of the masses. Finally, Lana's snaps are among the most pared-down, and consequently most harmonic, of the group. They benefit from that restraint and end up being some of my favorites.