Our Halloween special issue - behind the scenes
It's kind of odd getting into the Halloween spirit during the month of May, but, last spring, that is just what I did. It's no secret how much I love Halloween, so pretending, way ahead of schedule, really wasn't so difficult. My staff worked especially hard creating my costume for this year - a ghostly horsewoman, and Rutger, one of my beautiful Friesian horses, joined me for this occasion. Mary Curran, my hair and makeup artist, did a superb job of transforming me into this eerie character, with milky contact lenses completing the look. I know how much you love behind-the-scenes, so please join us in my stable! Also, if you need some really great Halloween ideas, pick up a copy of this year's special Halloween issue. It's great!
1 Nick Andersen - craft editor - making some final adjustments to my ghostly turn-of-the-century horsewoman costume.
2 Stylists standing by to make any necessary adjustments to my makeup and costume
3 Photographer, Diego Uchitel, snapping away while Francesca is taking it all in
4 Diego is checking the digital feedback.
5 Digital imaging makes a photo shoot so much easier with instant feedback. Corrections, if any need to be made, are seen instantly.
6 A very handsome and regal Rutger is waiting patiently.
7 Here he is with dark plumes and an ornately plaited mane.
8 I love the contrast of black on orange - so very halloween.
9 A close-up of Betsy's fine work on Rutger's mane
10 And action!
11 Pose
12 After pose
13 I look so wicked with my riding crop.
14 My eyes will turn you to stone.
15 So flirty/evil
16 But Rutger's not afraid of me.
17 In fact, he rather enjoyed this experience.
18 My sweet and handsome dark steed!
Photos By Eliad Laskin
I love seeing behind the scenes. And as a horsewoman I can appreciate the time that went into Rutger's plaited mane! At horse shows, I used to get up at 4 a.m. to braid each morning.
Posted by: Rachael Rossman | October 5th, 2009 at 12:31 am
It looks awesome! The work on the horse was also amazing. I love horses.
Posted by: cbh | October 5th, 2009 at 12:41 am
Martha, I love it. You look so creepy in that costume, especially the one with your eyes staring widely! Yikes! I also love the "flirty/evil" photo. It's such a good issue and Rutger does indeed look regal. Thanks for sharing these.
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | October 5th, 2009 at 12:53 am
What a beautiful, elegant and regal turn-of-the-century horsewoman you are! Can't wait to see the whole production.
Nikki in London
Posted by: Nikki | October 5th, 2009 at 5:26 am
Absolutely frightening and fantastic! I love the look and Rutger looks possitively regal. Can't wait for this months magazine to pop through the door. Susie
Posted by: Susie Parr | October 5th, 2009 at 6:43 am
Your special contacts really put your costume over the top!
Posted by: Niki | October 5th, 2009 at 7:06 am
Beautiful Pictures! I love these 'bonus/behind the scenes" shots. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: rpm | October 5th, 2009 at 7:35 am
Fabulous black hat!!
Have a super week ~~
Laura
Posted by: laura trevey | October 5th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Hi Martha!
Wow beautiful and scary! Can't wait to see the magazine issue.
Bonne chance!
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | October 5th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Thank you Martha for showing us how to twitter. We are 81 years old. We live in Sacramento CA-Ken Borger (blog) (Ken Inside The Lines)
Posted by: Ken & Mona Borger | October 5th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Hello there! love your blog..found some inspiration ..made my own pumpkin chandlier!
Posted by: stephanie | October 5th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Hi Martha! Can't wait the thumb through the Halloween issue! Today I posted a blog all about your timeless style over at houseandhome.com - thought you might want to check it out!
http://www.houseandhome.com/blogs/house-home-daily/martha-stewart-design-icon
Hope you like it! Oh and we were on Design Sponge last week too - check it out!
http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/09/michael-penny-at-canadian-house-home.html
Thanks for the years of inspiration!
Michael Penney - Style Editor, House&Home Magazine
Posted by: Michael Penney | October 5th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Love it!! Looks amazing.
Anna
Posted by: Anna | October 5th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
*Note to self do not look at these photos late at night before going to sleep!* Scary and gorgeous all at once. Rutger looks magnificent and you can tell how much fun you had doing this.
Is this going to be your costume for the Halloween show or do you have another surprise? Please have F & S there as well!
Posted by: Sonya W. | October 5th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
.
PHOTO ONE---
.
Did you abscond with Ghost of Thunder, riding up out of the swamps, hurdling over the fog entitled night cabbages, with him panting grey blood from his war crying nostrils?!?!
.
His full-headdress cheiftian
Weighed in webs of white woe,
Whistles war songs through window
To ice dress your soul.
.
Back over your shoulder
Come see me. I'm near.
Return me my Thunder
Or GO!...trampled in drear!
.
What IS that reflection in the window, Martha!?
HAPPY, SCARY DAY!
Ghost Dogs and Their Village Idiot
.
Posted by: http://andyjspencer.blogspot.com/ | October 5th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I almost never comment on things online but I had to come and tell you how wonderful I thought the Halloween magazine is. Its beautiful and stunning from cover to cover and full of lots of wonderful ideas.
The cover with you and Rutger is gorgeous!!!
Bravo to all who worked on this beautiful Halloween issue. It's a winner.:)
Posted by: Shanna Davis | October 5th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Hi Martha
Your costume is so pretty but the make up is sure scarey, but you look fablous... And the horse's braids looks so amazing. You two are picture perfect for Halloween. Can't wait to get home after work to read your new issue....
cheers, Mayleen
Posted by: Mayleen Bowen | October 5th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
(I remember now, back in early summer that you couldn't divulge too much information from a Halloween photo shoot [and what Sharkey and Francesca wore]. )
I LOVE Martyn's beautifully braided mane, and indeed, he is so handsome (and black!) I like your period costume, too, Martha, but your eyes!...they ARE eeerrryyy! (Ooo...I have to look away...)
I know you had fun with this. It's hard to believe it's this time of the year already, isn't it?!
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | October 5th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
What took longer, your make up and costume or Rutger's grooming and mane? Very fun to see the behind the scenes wizardry.
Posted by: Margie | October 5th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
That's a beautiful horse! Very regal indeed; I like the dark plume on a dark horse look. And you look quite spooky, Martha! The milky contacts are making me wanna pull the covers over my head.
Posted by: LadyLUX | October 5th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
You make us look forward to everything!
Posted by: Debra | October 5th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Hi Martha, If I didn't know that was you in that wicked makeup and black costume, I would have really been scared if I saw you on a street at night. What a fantastic job they did of preparing you for the cover of that delightful magazine! You have the best crew there is anywhere. Kudos to everyone involved. Rutger was absolutely stunning. Betsy did a fabulous job of braiding his mane. On a lighter side, your TV show today was one of the best I have ever seen. Your videos of your wonderful trip to Montana and Ted Turner's ranches was absolutely stunning. It was easy to tell that you were having a fantastic time. Congratulations on catching that rainbow trout. You looked like you were right at home horseback riding, hiking, fly fishing and having a delightful dinner with Ted and all of the others. Super, super blog and TV show today, Martha!!! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | October 5th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
.
Out of the mists of Bedford,in the fall
There comes a lady rider, crop and all.
Her stately black horse patiently waits
As stable hands throw open iron gates.
.
Black,called Rutger with bit and plume
An ornately plaited mane, a joy to groom
Stands tall, with the lady on his back
Listens for the command to start the track.
.
The lady with her veiled tall black plume hat
A dark vampire cloak and lacy spider cravat.
A ghoulish face that chills you to the bone
Eyes of evil,that flirt as you turn to stone.
.
Rutger's not afraid, he adores his lady
He plods on even though the road be hazy
They run the ridge under an eerie sky
Suddenly, something catches his eye.
.
An apparition could be a ghost in the rain?
This misfit has become the rider's bane!
But the elegant rider and her noble steed
Turn away with disdain and pay no heed.
.
Together lady and horse move on with pride
Eve of All Saints Day they ride the countryside
As they sift softly thru the dense mist as one
Black cats gather to revel and watch the fun.
.
Posted by: celia stock | October 6th, 2009 at 12:44 am
I just bought the magazine. I love it!!
Posted by: Elizabeth | October 6th, 2009 at 12:49 am
Great ! Everytime my kid won`t do his duties, I`ll simply show him these images.
Posted by: Elizabeth Miskiewicz | October 6th, 2009 at 8:17 am
...Oh Celia (Stock)!...your poem is wonderfully written for this day's blog!...
~
...excellentEXCELLENT writing, fellow blogger!...don't stop, okay?...you have such a gift!
~
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | October 6th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Celia Stock - love your poem. Its terrific. I hope Martha reads it. Martha, you look scary/great. Love that flirty/evil picture. Rutger is terrific. What a beautiful horse. I have not seen October's issue yet, but I intend to.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | October 6th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
One Halloween when I arrived at work as a Wedding and Gift Registry Consultant at Macy's, I had forgotten to dress for Halloween, so, I did a quick costume with stuff we had here in the store and guess who I dressed up as? YOU.
I got one of our Martha aprons,kitchen towels, and rolling pin and had them in my apron pocket.Everyone thought it was a real hoot!! I had fun all days saying I am taking questions at the Registry desk... !
Posted by: Diane Purpura | October 6th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
I LOVE the horsewoman costume, so wicked cool.
I ordered a very nice hooded cloak from an awesome guy up in Oregon (you can look at his work on ebay, The Cloak Company by Von Lancelot.......he does amazing work & does other type custom costumes. Check him out! I'm dressing up as a wizard/witch. Fun!
Posted by: Tanya Estes | October 6th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
I LOVE THE COVER!
BUT I DIDN'T LEARN MUCH FROM THIS BEHIND-THE-SCENES... I WANTED TO SEE THE MAKE-UP & HAIR STYLING. I'M OBSESSED WITH COSMETICS & LOVE LEARNING & SEE NEW TECHNIQUES & IDEAS..
Posted by: LIZ | October 6th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Ceila that was awesome !!!
Martha...what great pics...
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy :) | October 6th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Great poem, as usual, Celia!
Posted by: http://andyjspencer.blogspot.com/ | October 6th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
I can not thank you enough for this gorgeous cover! As an artist that specializes in horses and Halloween I was doubly delighted.
Posted by: Jennifer | October 7th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Beautiful photography .... what a transition!
Posted by: Rosemary Rizzo | October 9th, 2009 at 7:15 am
ok, Martha, the behind the scenes photo promo has worked. I MUST go buy this issue. Just got my Food magazine in the mail. Can't wait to cosy up with a steeping mug of apple cider and read it cover to cover. Stunning costume and Rutger's mane is, well... Wow. What patience he must have to allow all that work on him.
Posted by: Jo Smalley | October 9th, 2009 at 7:16 am
Cool Pics--Martha has a great costume and is a pretty horse woman rider and the horse's plaites are gorgeous.
Posted by: Sandy | October 9th, 2009 at 10:22 am
I LOVE the Halloween issue! I bought it as soon as it hit the shelf! The costumes are always a great inspiration and come in handy! This year my middle daughter is going to be Rapunzel and I was having a hard time deciding how to do her hair. Thanks to this issue and the beehive hairdo I now have a great idea! Thanks so much Martha (and her wonderful Team)!! Oh, and I loved the all the pumkins!!
Stay AWESOME your Spooky Scariness!!
Posted by: Melissa Cobbs | October 9th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Martha, I love Halloween too! I'm a Halloween birthday girl, will not quite, October 23 rd. I have always decorated for the holiday and I still do even though my children are now all adults, but the grandchildren come around and it's all for them now. I've always had non-scarry decorations though. Lots of pumpkins, fall leaves, and darling scarows. Maybe a couple of cute gost but that's it. I love your costume and the horse is just gorgous.
Posted by: Judy Oliveira | October 9th, 2009 at 11:09 am
hot,hot, hot....given me new appreciation of the holloween season...
Posted by: tom wood | October 9th, 2009 at 11:10 am
I have a cream colored French bulldog who is my soul mate. Her name is Marie Antoinette. She loves people. My first bulldog was named Clark Gable but he went to dog heaven about 5 years (That's why my email address is Clarkrules) I am a resident of Katonah and resented the people who objected to you moving to Katonah. I am proud to say you live here. I have always been your fan and love your magazine.
A loyal fan, Kay
Posted by: Kay Cocozza | October 9th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Looks great.. gives some great ideas to try at home for the holiday...
thank you!
Posted by: Gar Peterson | October 9th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
WOW..that is super awesome!!
Posted by: Cindy | October 9th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Horse looks great...martha is scary!
Posted by: joyce | October 9th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Thanks for the sharing! The Halloween issue is one of my favorites.
Posted by: Kyle Lynn | October 9th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Martha,
Your fabulous!! Happy Halloween!
Posted by: Deirdre Haney | October 9th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Love the costume! As someone who loves Halloween, I can't help but notice that all the best Halloween-themed products have the Martha Stewart name on them. I am especially grateful for your card-making products. My Halloween cards wouldn't be the same without them. Thank you, Martha!
Posted by: Sandra Myers | October 9th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Oooh...such a spooky costume, Martha! Love it! Can't wait for the special issue. Halloween is my favorite holiday, hands-down.
Posted by: Kim | October 9th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Martha,
I was intrigued by the fact you were included on the cover of this issue. Your magazine's consistent art direction and attention to detail is matched by few. However, I was starting to take all of that for granted, and then I saw this issue's cover. Placing yourself on the cover and in-costume within the issue, continues what I see as calculated steps to personalize the Martha Stewart Brand and the persona that created it. This issue did much more than provide unique Halloween solutions, it allowed us to connect with you as a person.
The is was one of your best.
Posted by: David Hopper | October 10th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Just amazing Martha! I just started a sub to your mag and I am so excited to start getting it... You have made me want to decorate!!!!!
Posted by: Patty M | October 11th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Wow, this is really interesting to see. I love how your stylist transformed you into your character. How awesome to have someone like that around....
Posted by: Kristen | October 11th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Wow, love the costume & Rutger is beautiful! I am searching for "Martha Ideas" for my twin boy's 7th Halloween Birthday Bash! October 31st has always been my FAVORITE day of the year, even prior to their arrival!
Posted by: Sheila W | October 14th, 2009 at 12:38 am
I'll either win the Loyal Reader or Crazy Lady Award for the following story. Those of you who look forward to the yearly Halloween issue might understand. I made the mistake of not grabbing the issue when it first hit the stands. Weeks went by and I couldn't find it anywhere. I was irked with myself for not buying it when I first saw it. I decided to hunt it down, and, in my limited spare time, even went to local bookstores, but it was sold out everywhere. I travel for work and decided to check airport news shops as they have everything. O'Hare and Denver, zilch. Was considering giving up. While walking through Sacramento's airport, there it was! Couldn't believe it. You guessed it. I can now... "RIP". LOL
Posted by: M Dinant | October 21st, 2009 at 11:12 pm