Disneybound June

And finally we reach June. Last month, I chose The Little Mermaid for my disneybound exploits. I had originally planned three outifts, but was too sick to wear one within the month. But two is grounds for effort.

The first, Ursula. I made this dress for my trip to Disneyland in Japan last year, so it was simple enough to pull out of the wardrobe, pair up with some flats and tights and out the door. I did top it off with my Disney shell necklace though.

The second Disneybound was Ariel. My mermaid tights are pretty much a staple in my wardrobe, so it wasn’t hard to decide what I was going to put together for Ariel. I paired up my tights with a long black sweater and purple review cardigan. It’s a simple outfit, but comfy and perfect for casual Friday in the office.

   

Disneybound May

There was no choice when it came to which movie to pick in May. Star Wars was the obvious choice given that May 4this such a recognised day around the world. I made sure that I was prepared and dressed appropriately.

Mixing Han Solo and Princess Leia was my first choice for May 4th. I dug out a pair of jeans and my black knee boots. I added a white shirt (inside out as I only have print shirts) and I pinched one of my dad’s black vest to finish the ensemble. I also wore my millennium falcon necklace and wrapped my hair into buns for the day. Gotta say, at work, not the best idea. It’s rather hard to answer the phone.

My second Star Wars outfit came together from my wardrobe. Last year I got a couple pieces from Elhoffer Designs – one being a Padme jumper. I was a simple matter of pairing it up with a blue singlet and skirt to wear to work. Simple but effective.

GC Supanova

Once again, April saw Supanova return to the Gold Coast. Due to my crazy study / work commitments, I could only attend the con for one day – so I chose to make the trip down on Saturday. Things were a bit stressful at the time, so I didn’t exactly have the motivation or timing to make a completely new cosplay to wear, but I did want something new instead of just bringing out an old costume.

Thankfully, what I did have time for was finally finishing the Steampunk Belle costume that I started making two years ago. Everything was cut out, parts had already been made, I just had to finish it. The costume is based on artwok by Amy Mebberson. And while Belle is not my most favourite of Disney Princesses, I did fall in love with this design. I had originally started the costume to wear to a Steampunk event, but when my plans to attend fell through, I just put the costume aside and moved on. With my current intention to make some dents in my fabric stash, what better thing to do than finally complete the costume?!

As a re-enactor, I already had the undergarments ready to go – chemise, drawers, socks, boots, stays and bustle frame. I had previously made the dickey, hat, underskirt and partly sewn the apron overskirt. Unfortunately some hideous weight gain meant that the apron did not fit my current measurements. I pulled off the waistband, added an extension and re-pleated the fabric to fit. Then came the Jacket. It’s cut from a small piece of silk velvet from my stash. Unfortunately there was no more left so I had to make do with what was cut. I stitched up with tiny seams and thankfully it fit! I was incredibly pleased. So it was simply a matter of completing the bodice sewing, finishing the edges with silk bias binding, adding boning and closures. It all came together in a remarkably short amount of time. And after some wig styling and last minute prop shopping, I was able to debut Steampunk Belle at Supanova.

And the wonderful Paul took some fabulous photos of my costume. I’m pretty sure that nobody recognised who I was supposed to be (the nature of artwork costumes), but I love how it turned out and I look forward to bring able to wear it again. Maybe to a steampunk event.

Playing Photographer – Briar Rose

Late last year, I spent one afternoon doing a photoshoot. Only, from behind the camera.

My best gal pal Gael Storm and I have long been speaking about doing a few photoshoots ourselves. In large part to improve our experience and confidence behind the camera. As a cosplayer, it’s quite often that we like to get some good photos of our outfits, so it really does help if you aren’t a bumbling frozen and stiff mess in front of the camera (kinda like I am now). I guess the beauty of doing this with your best friend is that we will tell each other if we look like a complete gumby or that pose makes it look like you have 12 chins. You catch my drift. And now that I am done with all my editing and choosing, I’d like to share a few photos from the shoot.

I give you Briar Rose…

Historically Accurate Ariel

Last year, I started a new long-term project. This one is something of a passion for me. Some time ago, I saw a number of artwork costume designs, blending Disney and historical fashions. Given my love of Disney, of course there were ones that I wanted to recreate. However, the re-enactor in me just couldn't do it without the correct amount of accuracy.

Ariel has always been one of my favourite Disney princesses. I grew up loving her and her red hair. Is it any wonder that she was the first princess that I cosplayed? At any rate, I wanted to do her justice and put together my own historical design. My research tells me that the story of the Little Mermaid was first published in 1837, which to be honest you can see some element of the design in the fashion of the movie (Prince Eric's outfit is very much Victorian). 

But the love for this project and my hopes for the design, mean bringing together a whole project from the inside out. Like I said - it's a long term project. So, first up, I started on some of the undergarments:

I started with Drawers. These are altered from the Laughing Moon Victorian Undergarments pattern to make them a little more 1830s. Thankfully by this period, drawers were in fashion and some had even come into style sewn to a single waistband (previously they were separate legs). They're made out of white cotton and feature a shaped waistband and are decorated with pin tucks and lace at the hem. I did my best to make them pretty, but after all is said and done, they are just drawers. 

Then came the Chemise. I butchered one of my regency period chemise patterns to make up this design which I based on original chemises of the period. It has a gathered sleeve to help add puff and foundation to the outer sleeve. And the front fold-down flap tucks over the front of the corset so that it won't be seen through the dress. And I decided to add a smidge of embroidery similar to many period chemises - only I used colour rather than white. 

The next thing that I put together were my 1830s stays. But that's a post for another time. Because throughout this process, I have been trying to take a number of photos so that I can put together some photo tutorials. And yep, there's one for my stays. So hold onto your horses, it's coming...

Brisnova

I know it’s the new year already, but life has caught me by surprise and I’ve been rather busy of late. So busy in fact that I have yet to post about a couple of events that I attended towards the end of last year. The first – Brisbane Supanova. It’s our biggest convention in Brisbane and one that I attend every year. 2016 was no different. It was a weekend of catching up with fellow cosplayers, taking photos, browsing the shopping hall and trying to stay cool. Nathan Fillion was probably the biggest draw card in terms of celebrities. I would have loved to get a photo but I refuse to spend my entire weekend in line. His panel line was bad enough – snaking around several times and down three halls of the centre. Not my cup of tea. But it is an event that I love to cosplay for.

The convention begins on Friday afternoon and runs through to Sunday evening. It all started out at 1pm on Friday. I took myself into the city in my brand new costume. I didn’t have time to make a big costume but I did have the time and energy to throw together something a little cult – A Beauty School Dropout Angel from Grease. And I was lucky enough that my bestie dressed up as Frenchie to match. The most stressful part of the costume was waiting for the rollers to make the headdress arrive (Australia Post took its sweet time about it). It was an incredibly comfortable costume to wear and even though be slightly obscure, we were recognised by other attendees. It’s definitely a costume that I will be bringing out again.

Come Saturday, the heat had set in for the weekend. Spring had decided to treat us with an early weekend of heat and humidity. Makes for a lovely time when you are trussed up in costume with layers of fabric, undergarments, wigs and makeup. Again, my bestie and I teamed up for the day and dressed as DC Bombshells. Gael Storm as Cheetah and myself as Black Canary. They’re certainly fun costumes to wear.

Lastly, Sunday rolled around. This time, we dressed as Disney Princesses – Aurora from Sleeping Beauty and Ariel from The Little Mermaid. I have to say, I love cosplaying as a princess. There is nothing like the look on a little kid’s face when they realise that their favourite princess is standing in front of them. It’s a good feeling. And it was certainly a day of hugs from children.

But at the end of it all, we quickly slipped into some regular clothing and hit Coffee Club for dinner on the way home. It’s become sort of a tradition for us to stop for a good meal after the convention before heading home to crash into bed. And before we know it, the next convention will be upon us. I really should get to sewing.