Author: mjcosplay

Anime Costumes: RWBY, Salem

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Boy was I drawn to this character. If you aren’t aware, RoosterTeeth Animation created the show RWBY and the main villain is this ghostly white wicked looking woman in a creeping black gown. I decided to make the costume mainly to challenge myself with wig making because Salem’s wig was not an easy task. At least at first, definitely would change how I made it this time. I also wanted to start leaning towards characters outside of my comfort zone as far as personality goes. Salem fit the roster! And as always, I had to take a few creative liberities.

Materials used: velvet, satin, chandelier crystals, embroidery thread, acrylic globe, eva foam, foam clay, rubber tubing, magnets

This black velvet trumpet style gown features a high collar and open chest, outlined in red satin stitch embroidery. Collar closes with a crystal decorated clasp. An attached cape with an open kimono style sleeve dons a roughly stitched eye motif adorned with red chandelier crystals. The cape lining has a black ombre effect and a crystal/tassel embellishment hangs from either corner. Dress is a slip on style with a hidden zipper on one side.

The Seer Grimm has pose-able arms as well as a light up feature. There is a magnetic removable panel to turn the light on and off. The wig has a foam base for the bun and is able to be taken apart for easy storage. Belt strapping in a cross shape helps keep structure of the cap at the rear of the skull. The elongated buns protruding from the rear bun are and eva foam base glued into the foam structure of the main bun. Black velvet ribbon and red embroidery floss create a crisscross pattern and a few crystals hang from the ends of a few.

Video Game Costumes: Injustice II, Starfire Version II

Costumes

The second outfit of Starfire’s from the Injustice II video game was made to be worn in a warmer climate and was a fusion of a couple in-game designs that I took liberty of adding my own creativity to.

Materials used: textured spandex, lame, suede, vinyl, pu leather, eva foam, sew on gems

Items purchased: wig, shoes for inserting into covers, gems

Features a crop top and high waist bottoms. Sleeves have a cutout shoulder with vinyl insert. Open chest with faux collar donned with gems. Elbow length fingerless gloves have eva foam armor covered with lame fabric and faux leather that attach via velcro. Shoe covers are rather simple, like the gloves, and have the addition of eva foam armor.

Video Game Costumes: Injustice II, Starfire

Costumes

Details and complexity are what catch my eye when it comes to making a decision on whether or not to recreate a costume. Video games are on another platform as most of the time some parts of the costume are never visible. Construction becomes difficult to breakdown as well as determining how the remaining parts of the outfit are designed. Thus, Starfire comes into play. She has an expansive wardrobe within the game and her Blackfire gear set was the first of hers I was to make.

Materials used: spandex, lame, pu leather, suede, vinyl, resin, fabric paint, snap closures, acrylic plexiglass

Items purchased: Base boots for covers, acrylic plexiglass rounds, wig

This dual layered spandex bodysuit features heavily detailed sleeves and bodice of lame, faux leather, and vinyl. A wrap around bodice of lame fabric extends along the legs with elastic straps to prevent shifting. A hexagonal pattern is painted on the untextured areas of fabric. A single mounted resin gem resides over the abdomen. Features a removable collar with similar designs to the bodysuit, resin gems, and velcro in the rear for attachment and snaps to connect to suit. Boot covers were made for the shoes and feature a flared top, suede used for structure and to provide soles. Starbolts, the green plexiglass, were hand etched with a dremel tool and handles of plexiglass were cut and heated to snap into the discs, allowing them to be held at many angles.

Period Garments: Lawn Party Dress 1920s

Costumes

Back in 2017 I attended the Jazz Age Lawn Party in New York and wanted to make a dress just for that occasion. The garment centers around the peony flower, fresh, bright and feminine.

Materials used: lace, chiffon, satin, embroidered ribbon, faux florals

Items purchased: Earrings, T-strap heels, embroidered ribbon

Dress features an attached slip of deep green satin, embroidered ribbon used to trim the neckline as well as straps. Lace overlay with the typical slouched low hip waistline, marked with embroidered ribbon and a scallop hem. Hem is finished with light green chiffon. Peony clip created to attach at waist. Hand painted shoes to match the dress.

Movie Costumes: Star Wars, Picnic Dress

Costumes

In ‘Star Wars: Episode 2’, Padme Amidala dons a brilliantly bright yellow gown with reminiscence of art nouveau and medieval influence. I wanted to tackle this costume as it would enhance my skills with embroidery. This costume used a staggering ten yards of chiffon for the skirt and blouse, all hand embroidered along with the corset. Unfortunately the costume is no longer in my possession as it was sold, so studio shots are unavailable.

Materials used: georgette, taffeta, sequins, embroidery thread, ribbon in satin and velvet, eyelets, nylon corset boning, cotton brocade, satin

Items purchased: Rose embroidered curtains, T-strap satin heels, crochet snoods, ribbon

Costume features a densely embroidered corset made of crushed taffeta, satin, and cotton. Rear lacing with nylon boning for structure. Oversize peasant blouse with gathered sleeves, embroidered with swirling lines of yellow thread and white flower sequins. Ribbons attached at the elbow to wrap around the lower arm. Skirt used eight yards of georgette, features four godets and the same embroidery as the blouse. Cape with scalloped edging embroidered in variegated thread and tea dyed is tack stitched to the blouse, front closure completed with an antique brooch. Hairpiece made of velvet ribbon, metallic thread, roses from cape, with purchased snoods attached. Ties in the rear via ribbon.

Anime Costumes: Card Captor Sakura, Crystal Tutu

Costumes

Anime seems to be a world of its own when it comes to outfit design. Everything is decked out in crystals, lace, frills, crazy fabrics, you name it. I wanted to take on the challenge of recreating one of the more recognizable costumes from the anime ‘Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card’, her crystal tutu. And every magical girl isn’t complete without her accessories so I wanted to make sure to create one of her cards and of course, her Staff of Dreams.

Materials used: wood dowel, wood ends, metal, eva foam, foam clay, satin, organza, vinyl, lace, hotfix rhinestones, crystals, plexiglass.

Items purchased: petticoat, pettishorts, shoes embellished by me, gloves altered and embellished by me, tights with crystals added, wig.

Dress made with satin and organza bodice. Skirt layers cut into a feather like pattern: edges burned to avoid hemming. Features two overlays: one of pointed holographic vinyl, each point leading to a pom pom and crystal, and the second a pointed scallop of organza, trimmed with lace. Open sleeves and collar are cut into a petal shape with the addition of rhinestones to each petal. Gloves and shoes mirror the petal design. Rear hidden zipper as well as ribbon to close collar. Crystals sewn to chest along with lace and pom poms made of organza. Rear attachment of a large bow

Movie Costumes: Moulin Rouge, Pink Diamonds

Costumes

‘Moulin Rouge’ to this very day is my absolute favorite movie, and the costumes are out of this world beautiful. I decided that many years ago I would one day make Satine’s ‘Pink Diamonds’ costume, and that came to fruition two and a half years ago. She was absolutely a labor of love, about three months in the making and is my most expensive costume to date.

Materials used: hand dyed cotton poplin, rhinestones, sequins, polyester tulle, glass bead fringe, glass beads, ribbon, feather boas, ostrich feathers, wig, bracelets

Items purchased: T-strap Spanish heels painted and embellished by me, stockings that were hand dyed/embellished, pettishorts, vintage garter belt with rhinestones added, satin gloves, corset

Costume features a hand dyed steel bonded corset covered with dyed cotton poplin with tulle on top. A layer of padding was added between these layers to help hide the boning. Bustle style pad with feather boas mounted to it; ties to the corset via ribbons at the waist. The original move costume utilized ostrich feather boas and these were opted out due to their very high price, about 400 dollars US per six foot boa. Hand sewn padded hearts at the chest and crotch, hand embellished. Sequins in gold are scattered throughout the corset and beaded fringe trim runs along the bottom front half of the corset. Hand sewn bead fringe at the hips.

Period Garments: Evening Dress 1920’s

Costumes

The inspiration for this costume was the ‘One Hour Dress’ by Mary Brooks Picken. I wanted to create a simple but effectively elegant gown with few seams and just enough embellishment for flair.

Materials used: vintage velvet ribbon, faux peony flower, floral flocked chiffon, chiffon, glass beads, fishtail cord

Dress has a boat style neckline, streamline silhouette, gathered shoulders, and a fusion of cape/batwing style sleeves. The sleeves are finished in a hand beaded vintage ribbon. A cream colored slip was made to create contrast for the floral flocked chiffon. Features a hand sewn and embellished belt, with starburst beading pattern, ties in the back.