Lady Leslie Crystal & The Lust Cathexis

Blizzcon 2011 Cosplay: ‘Burlesque’ Blood Elf

Project:

Costume Design and Construction

Project Stage:

Completed

Project Background:

This year my plans to cosplay as Lady Sinestra fell through after several major time set-backs.  However, a Blizzcon cosplay group emerged— the Aspects of Awesome— which set out to make burlesque cosplays of Blizzard characters for Day 2 of Blizzcon. I was all over this idea!

Without new materials, much time, or much of anything to work with— I designed and re-modified an existing costume to make my Blizzcon 2011 Cosplay: ‘Burlesque’ Blood Elf!

Tomorrow there is a photo shoot with G4 and I get to wear it. So here’s the official ‘first look’ at the main garment. I’ll post finalized pictures after Blizzcon!

Former/Existing Costume:

My Burlesque Blood Elf  Design:

My ‘Burlesque’ Blood Elf Cosplay:

See you all at Blizzcon!

Project Progress:

1. Details
2. Design
3. Planning
4. Construction

Blizzcon 2011 Lady Deathwing: Cosplay [Construction]

Project:

Costume Design and Construction

Project Stage:

Construction

PROGRESS NOTES

Today is the final fitting for the Lady Deathwing Costume that I made for my friend Jen. I anticipate that there will be changes and alterations to it since she has lost some weight!

I won’t be posting completed photos, because it is her costume and she deserves the right to do a full reveal, but here are some photos of further progress!

PROGRESS PICTURES

[80% complete] The Top  after the top, burnt scales were added, and after the mid-section scales were added.  This is before the scales were painted, so there is only a first layer of gray.

[90% Complete] This picture was taken in front the dustiest mirror in the whole wide room. :) This is me trying on Jen’s top for fit and comfort, after the painting of the scales. It will obviously look better on Jen, since it is made to her measurements (and I have minimal zero cleavage), but I was testing it out, yo!

You shall see more in three days!

Project Progress:

1. Details
2. Design
3. Planning
4. Construction

Blizzcon 2011 Lady Deathwing: Cosplay [Construction]

Project:

Costume Design and Construction

Project Stage:

Construction

PROGRESS NOTES

The Lady Deathwing Costume that I made for my friend Jen is now officially 90% complete for the top and bottom, and about 60% on the wings/cape.  However, since I haven’t taken up-to-date progress pictures and, more important, she hasn’t “okayed” for me to post “finished” pictures, I wanted to make at least a quick post with some old photos of it at the patterning stages and at about 15%-20% done. Deal? Deal.

PROGRESS PICTURES

[10% complete] The Top (on a different measurement dress form).  This was after sewing face-front and basting in the lining. Still needs: -Bottom edges to be rough-scalloped edged, -Lining to be sewed in / basting removed, -entire front fire detailing, -scaling at bust

[10% complete] The Skirt. Still needs the scallop/scale edging on the hem and -all- fire trim detailing.

[15% Complete] The Top. This is after drafting the front fire detailing, and before embellishing, scaling, etc. In other words, still a LONG way to go.

Want to see more? :)

Project Progress:

1. Details
2. Design
3. Planning
4. Construction

Blizzcon 2011 Lady Deathwing: Cosplay [Details & Design]

Project:

Costume Design and Construction

Project Stage:

Details & Design

Project Background:

This will be my third year attending Blizzcon… Only that this year, I do not anticipate that I will be cosplaying D-: (at least with a new cosplay).  Instead, I am helping a friend of mine out and making all non-prop portions of her cosplay: Lady Deathwing.

You see, during the last convention, my friend Jen disclosed that she wanted to cosplay Lady Deathwing for Blizzcon 2011 and asked me if I wanted to cosplay as Deathwing’s consort, Sinestra/Sintharia. Initially, I intended to do so, but time has not been on my side. In any case, I will share the work on both (only that mine will not be ready for Blizzcon 2011).

The Lady Deathwing is based on two pieces of fan art, both depicting a cleavage revealing top and an ambiguous bottom skirt (?).  For Lady Synestra, all of my inspiration was drawn from the new images/coloring of Lady Synestra and WoW art depicting Lady Deathwing with orange hair—complete with my signature ultra-feminization, of course.  (Designs on next post)

Desired Look:

Femme DRAGONesque Armor

Project Details:

Lady Deathwing
Color Palette: Black, Red, Orange, Yellow, White

Lady Synestra
Color Palette: Rusty Purple, Black, Dark Gray, Beige, Yellow

Due Date:  October 2011

Project Requirements:

• FEMININE (duh :D)
• Comfort: 8 hour+ wearability
• Easy Storage/Transportation
• Details: Scales, Scars, Etc.

Reference Photos & Inspiration:

Draft Designs:

Project Progress:

1. Details
2. Design
3. Planning
4. Construction

Assassin’s Creed, The Courtesan: Cosplay [Details]

Project:

Costume Design and Construction

Project Stage:

Details

Project Background:

This year I met a lot of awesome people— especially cosplayers.  Among those people, I met a new friend, actor & filmmaker Chris Rymer.  Since he would be attending Anime Expo as Ezio from Assassin’s Creed, I thought it would be fun to start my own Assassin’s Creed cosplay.  Chris pointed me to female assassins in the game and I immediately fell in love with The Courtesan.

Another friend of mine— who, by the way, is also named Chris! (I swear I know other people with different names) and who is also an Assassin’s Creed Ezio cosplayer—helped me find tons of reference images.  Since then, I have realized that I will not be able to complete the project before AX, but i do plan to complete it for Comic Com 2011.

I have seen different cosplays of the courtesan, and they all seem very flat to me and unrealistic looking for a courtesan.  While I understand the desire to stick to the in-game model 110%, I prefer to implement some changes to make it more courtesan/burlesque in execution.

Desired Look:

The Courtesan / Burlesque

Project Details:

—The Costume—

I will create the costume in four distinct portions to add depth and keep it realistic instead of super costume-y:

1) Shirt: An off-white gauze, chemise-like top with a sweetheart neckline

2) Jumpsuit:  A dark rose velvet bodysuit with corset backing

3) Skirt: An iridescent blue/charcoal taffeta or satin skirt

4) Overskirt: A dark rose velvet, double-tailed overskirt with iridescent blue/charcoal over-rouching

—The Accessories & Props—

Mask: Made from thin leather, likely painted on top.

Gloves/Gauntlets: Made from Brown Leather, potentially altered

Belts, Belt-sack, Fan/Weapon Holster, and Thigh Harness: Made from Brown Leather, potentially also altered from pre-existing items

Fan: Made from Sheet metal and potentially fabric

Thigh-Highs: Made from same dark rose velvet as rest of costume

Boots: Brown

Project Requirements:

• Courtesan/Burlesque
• PRETTY <3 :-D
• Easy Storage

Reference Photos & Inspiration:

Project Progress:

1. Details
2. Design
3. Planning
4. Construction

Pattern-making every day and night these days.
Can you guess what projects I’m working on? :D

I can’t wait to sew. And I can’t wait to say!

Blizzcon 2010 Blood Elf Mage: Cosplay [Construction 3]

Project:

Costume Design and Construction

Project Stage:

Construction

PROGRESS NOTES

The robe is 100% complete! I am debating whether or not to post full pictures since “unveiling” the costume at Blizzcon seems pretty fun.  In the meantime, I will post just a few little close-up shots.

Now, I need to finish the accessories.  As you can see in one of the pictures, I have already completed a leaf (no surprise there) necklace and some hammered, sheet metal bracers (not pictured). I also want to have a flashing orb and, with one day left before I go, I need come up with a super easy design and to get to work.

PROGRESS PICTURES

The Shoulder piece (constructed by Ayabi), the necklace, and the Chest piece.

The Skirt Hem

Project Progress:

1. Details
2. Design
3. Planning
4. Construction

Blizzcon 2010 Blood Elf Mage: Cosplay [Construction 2]

Project:

Costume Design and Construction

Project Stage:

Construction

PROGRESS NOTES

I have started embellishing! Also, the skirt is 90% complete…but I still need to hem the bottom once I figure out what shoes I am wearing and how tall I will be. Here are some progress pictures. These photos are horrible quality (from my phone!), but it they will help get a gist of what is going on.

PROGRESS PICTURES

Chest piece, Up Close: This is the embroidery (scroll) that was added to the chest top and the leather leafing + Metal leaf accents. 

Center, Up Close (Red background is not there. It is from skirt folded behind): This is again my leather leafing with metal leaf accents.

Skirt Side Closures, Up Close: These are the metal side closures atop more leather leafing.

Project Progress:

1. Details
2. Design
3. Planning
4. Construction

Blizzcon 2010 Blood Elf Mage: Cosplay [Construction 1]

Project:

Costume Design and Construction

Project Stage:

Construction

PROGRESS NOTES

As of today, I have already drafted the patterns for the robe and transferred them to fabric, with the exception of the skirt. I am saving the skirt for last because of the large amount of fabric I am working with.

All the rest of the pieces have been lined, basted, and completed.  The only thing left to do is to start embellishing.

PROGRESS PICTURES

Project Progress:

1. Details
2. Design
3. Planning
4. Construction

Blizzcon 2010 Blood Elf Mage: Cosplay [Planning]

Project:

Costume Design and Construction

Project Stage:

Planning

Project Plan:

I. Hair

• [_] Dye Hair Golden Blond
• [_] Double Hair Extensions at Crown
• [_] Gold Headband (Attach Ears)
• [_] Red Hair Jewels (Conceal Ear Ends)

II. Make-Up

   A.  Eyes

• [_] Amelia lenses from 9mmsfx
• [_] Gold, Brown, & Taupe “Smokey Eye” Eyeshadow
• [_] Thick Brown False Lashes

   B.  Lips

• [  ] Lip Plumper
• [  ] Red Lip Stain

   C. Cheeks

• [_] Red Stained

III. Shoulders/Helm

• [_] Constructed with Leather (Commission by Ayabi)

IV. Robe

   A. Buy Fabric and Materials

• [X] Scarlet Taffeta
• [X] Gold Satin Fabric
• [X] Gold Lame Fabric
• [X] Gold Bias Tape
• [X] Gold Metallic Trim
• [X] Thin Leather
• [X] Metallic Skeleton Leaves
• [X] 3 Gold Metallic Closures

   B. Construction

• [_] Construct Patterns
• [_] Transfer Patterns to Fabric & Lining
• [_] Baste Fabric Pieces to Lining
• [_] Baste Gold Bias Tape
• [_] Sew Pieces
• [_] Add Leaf Appliques
• [_] Add Metal Appliques
• [_] Finishing Touches

V.  Accessories

   A. Ears

• [_] Leather Ears (Commission by Holly)
• [_] Gold Earrings with Red Accents

   B. Necklace

• [_] Gold Leaf, Choker Bib
• [_] Lime Green Gem

   C. Wrists

• [_] Thin, sheet metal bracers

   D. Fingers

• [_] Red and Green Rings

Project Progress:

1. Details
2. Design
3. Planning
4. Construction

Blizzcon 2010 Blood Elf Mage: Cosplay [Design]

Project:

Costume Design and Construction

Project Stage:

Design

Notes:

I completed the preliminary sketches and the preliminary designs for this costume (see below).  Since this a personal project, I will not be doing presentation designs.

As referenced in my Details post, both the Robe and the Shoulders vary from their in-game version.  My designs fit my personal style much better. As always, I like to keep things extremely feminine (I can’t help it! It’s my staple touch).

At this point, I am ready to develop the patterns from muslin trials on my dress form in order to start the construction phase.  I have already gone ahead and purchased the majority of materials that I didn’t already have, so this won’t take long.

As far as the shoulders, the construction was always intended to be out of leather.  Because I personally do not work with large leather constructs, the preliminary design was submitted to a wonderful artisan and fellow cosplayer, Ayabi, and I commissioned her to construct it out of leather.

I’ll keep everyone posted on the progress, planning, and completion of this project.
 

—The Costume—

The Robe:

The Blood Elf Shoulders:

—The Hair & Make-Up—

[Images Pending]

Project Progress:

1. Details
2. Design
3. Planning
4. Construction