Bow Ties are getting cooler!

The latest issue of SFX magazine dropped through my letterbox this morning, sporting a Doctor Who cover!
(see left)

Being a subscriber, I get the issues with the fronts devoid of the usual clutter of cover lines – which is a REAL bonus this issue, cos I get to see what the news-stand buyers don’t!

Matt is seen on the cover in his costume, and the news-stand version has a big picture banner across the bottom of the page, covering Matt’s trousers.
The subscriber issue doesn’t have this and you can see them very clearly (see below).

We sort of worked out they are a form of glazed cotton jeans, but they almost look like leather in this photo, they are so sheen!
There’s some good reference for the shape of the front pockets, which are a little unusual.

Why hasn’t anyone identified these yet!!
< Sorry about that – regains composure >

Inside there is a great article about the up-coming series, built around an exclusive interview with Matt Smith and an exclusive photo-shoot to accompany it.

To of the photos are GREAT reference for Matt’s new bow tie and shirt!

On page 49 (see below) you can clearly see the new burgundy bow tie, and how it has a very visible weave, unlike last season’s silk.

Page 51 (see below) give another good view f the bow tie, but an even better reference for the shirt.

The Paul Smith shirts of Season Five seem to be a distant memory, and it’s frustrating that no leads have been found yet as to where the new costume has been sourced from.

No doubt it will come to light at some point – but way too late for everyone to get one for themselves :(

SFX issue 208 is on news-stands this week, and can also be downloaded for iPad through Zinio.

While we are talking bow ties, another photo has been doing the rounds, show Matt’s blue variation for Season Six.

Again it is a textured silk weave, this time with an interlocking I pattern (see below).

Notice too, by the way, that although Matt is wearing his new tweed in both shots above, they are actually fractionally different. Look at the collar and lapel seam and how the pattern meets and lines up.

The camera sometimes lies

This coming week is Red Nose Day, and following on for several previous Doctor Who involvements, there is a special mini-episode to be screen as part of the  Comic Relief fund raising entertainment.

This gives the excuse for a Red Nose Day inspired photoshoot. David Tennant had appeared in 2009 to publicise the cause (see left) and this year it turns to Matt Smith to take up the baton.

He was joined in the photocall by Karen and Arthur, and images of them appeared on the cover of this month’s Doctor Who Magazine (see right).

It gives another nice close-up of the new ‘tweed’ jacket Matt wears, as well as the while gridded shirt.

He can also be seen sporting a new bow tie in a midnight blue silk.

The pictures were also picked up by some of the UK tv guides, notably TV & Satellite Week, which needs only the slightest excuse to use a Doctor Who cover to increase circulation!

You can clearly see it is from the same photoshoot, but hold on a moment – Matt’s shirt is now a very pale BLUE! (see left)

Now, TV & Satellite Week have form when it comes to messing around with the colour of Doctor Who images!

Look at this image from June 2010 (see right).

Matt is wearing the blue variation of the Paul Smith shirt, but his bow tie is BURGUNDY!
But if you look closely you can see a texture to the fabric of the tie. The burgundy tie was a plain fabric, but the blue had a woven texture – exactly the same as seem here.

The bow tie has been Photoshopped to the wrong colour.

BUT WHY? Who know. Someone was bored . . . .

Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day is a very good cause,
and if you want to donate some money, click the link below to find out how you can help.

Red Nose Day 2011

SFX Magazine Special - bow ties are COOL!

Today saw the publication of the SFX Magazine, Doctor Who: A Celebration.

I particularly wanted to grab a copy as I knew it was to contain a number of costume related items and articles, and it hasn’t disappointed.

While I was on my way to Forbidden Planet to pick up my copy, it occurred to me that the free bow tie could turn out to be some cardboard thing with elastic at the back!
Luckily it is a pukka clip-on bow tie, though a cheap one (hey! what do you expect for a giveaway?)

Only downside is that it’s a child-sized one! (see right, top).

The magazine comes in a large card envelope (see left) which also holds the bow tie and two badges (see above).

From the costume point of view, there are a couple of highlights.

First up as a feature interview with Series Five costume designer Ray Holman.
The best part of this is a discussion on the matt Smith costume, and a reproduction of the design itself! (see below - click to enlarge and read)

Later in the magazine is a four-page feature on the Doctor Who crafting, a lot of which appears on the Crafty TARDIS forum.

There’s a lot of knitting involved! I love the knitted Daleks, as well as the more obvious scarf-work (see left).

There is also coverage of the controversial knitted Adipose dolls, which resulted in a Cease and Desist from the BBC.

Just under that feature is one on Kevin Coppa, who has done a lot of conventions in his various Tennant costumes. He is shown in his Tennant Suit, with a wasp on his back! (see left - click to enlarge and read)

Elsewhere, there are lots of great reference photographs and articles worth a read.

SFX Special Edition:
Doctor Who – A Celebration
is available at £7.99 for a limited time at good good newsagents in the UK.

It is also available for download to read on the iPad from the iTunes App Store for £4.99

All in all well worth the £7.99 investment!