Yumiko Tomorrow Queen - Cosplay Gloves!

These were a project done for lovely model Sevvy Skellington for a shoot where she was cosplaying Yumiko from the Tomorrow Queens figure series by Ashley Wood. The gloves were leather and I did everything by hand: dying, painting, sewing, and distressing. It was a fun project to work on but the hand sewing leather was dangerous at times.. Hopefully I'll be able to post some shots of Skellington from her shoot soon! 

Photo Credit: TM 2011 SMASHWORKS. All Rights Reserved. 

Photo Credit: TM 2011 SMASHWORKS. All Rights Reserved. 

This is the original figure of Yumiko that I based the glove design on:

Image borrowed from http://toysrevil.blogspot.com

A Pupae Twin Purse - The Venture Bros.

For a LONG time now I've been working on a costume for Dr. Mrs. The Monarch, one of the totally epic characters from The Venture Bros. I think I ordered the yellow wet look spandex around three years ago and just haven't had the time to actually start until this past christmas! Well the costume is about 90% done with just the final wig styling to finish and I knew I needed a purse to go with the costume (as per usual). There was no other option than to do a Pupae Twin (Murderous Moppet)! Vinyl and PVC with 4 d-rings in the back so I can wear it as a backpack or as a side purse :) Super happy with how this turned out! Hopefully I'll be able to do the other Pupae Twin some time.

Photo Credit: TM 2011 SMASHWORKS. All Rights Reserved. 

TOS Star Trek Tricorder Purse

Last year for Fan Expo I created 5 Star Trek - The Original Series skants for my lovely cosplay group of ladies! Inspired by my design adventures of converting 2D objects to 3D and vice versa, I decided to convert the Tricorder worn in the show into a "flat" purse!
Made from vinyl, holographic spandex, rivets and random materials for the embellishment details. The hardest part of this was screening the silver details on the vinyl. The paint didn't particularly like the vinyl and the butcher's paper I was using to make the outlines was not adhering properly or creating the seal with the fabric! Whewf. In the end it all worked out though :) So happy with this creation!

Photo Credit: TM 2011 SMASHWORKS. All Rights Reserved. 

Out take from shoot below! Pictures to follow of full costume :)

Photo Credit: Mert Demir TM 2011 SMASHWORKS. All Rights Reserved. 

Claude Purse from Bleach!

This was a purse that I started designing probably two years ago that got shelved for so very long. I finally had a chance to finish it! This is a Claude, a character from the anime series Bleach! The plan was to wear this purse with an Orihime cosplay but I'm not quite finished that yet. When I do, I promise to post pictures :) It zips up in the back and an actually hold a fair amount of things inside.

Photo Credit: TM 2011 SMASHWORKS. All Rights Reserved. 

Toronto Underground Cinema - Raptor Costume Revisited!

The Toronto Underground Cinema's 2011 pinup calendar features the lovely Sam in my Raptor costume pieces! The hood and gloves are my original designs :)

PHOTO CREDIT: IF YOU FALL PHOTOGRAPHY + TORONTO UNDERGROUND CINEMA 2011. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Toronto Underground Cinema's Tales From the Underground

This was a project I was involved with back in July 2010. The Boys at Toronto Underground Cinema decided to create a three short films for Edgar Wright's The Wright Stuff which happened the first weekend of August 2010. For those of you that don't know what that is, Edgar frequently programs series of film screenings in various theatres around North America and the UK, films that have inspired him throughout his life. TUC hosted his latest Toronto event which was in honor of his newest film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World being released that same week.

I was the costume designer for this project which was so much fun! The second film was particularly costume intensive and the one  I spent all my time on. Part 2 was inspired by the 1980's film Flash Gordon, one that I love particularly because of the campy costumes and character design :) I was hoping to get some detailed construction shots but unfortunately that hasn't happened yet so I'm posting some shots the boys took on set!

For Alex's costume I was inspired by Prince Vultan, who was the prince of the bird-like Hawkmen in the film. I created a leather breastplate with shoulder guards and matching leather bracers. I don't have a shot of the back but there were two buckled straps going from the shoulders that created a harness with two horizontal buckled straps across the back. Additionally, I got a set of baby black angel wings that tied to the back harness and a viking hat.

Photo Credit: TM 2010 Toronto Underground Cinema. All Rights Reserved.

Evil Emperor Dark Nigellus was kept in the theme of Flash Gordon's villain, Emperor Ming the Merciless. I created a long hooded cloak from red satin and Nigel accessorized with copious amounts of eyeliner and faux facial hair! 

Photo Credit: TM 2010 Toronto Underground Cinema. All Rights Reserved.

The love interest in this mini-epic was Belinda played by Christine. I was inspired by Ming's daughter in the film, Princess Aura and her memorable gold costume. This costume was all about the bling so I picked up some vintage antique white lace with beading/sequins and repurposed it for the bra portion of the costume. I created gold beaded/sequined shoulder pads that had loops to attach them to the bra strap which I also added gold trim to. The skirt was a wrap with a thick gold elastic band (that was a really big pain to find!) and an interlocking metal buckle. I also picked up some strands of clear seed beads for a necklace and a Celtic knot elastic headband.  

Photo Credit: TM 2010 Toronto Underground Cinema. All Rights Reserved.

The last costume was for Charlie and inspired by Flash Gordon himself. I created a t-shirt from scratch, adding the contrasting red arm and sleeve ribbing. I then screened the FLASH logo on the chest and the lightning bold on the back. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of it but you can check it out in the film below! :) 

Halloween 2010 (1.0) - Totoro!

For the longest time I have been planning on paying hommage to Hayao Miyazaki's genius in the Studio Ghibli produced MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO (1988)! I started with a romper base and somehow created this in about an hour and a half. Considering I didn't even have access to my pins, I'd say I did a pretty awesome job! I also added a headband I'd created with a small glitter foam leaf on the side to protect me from the rain ;) And of course, I compensated for the lack of clothing by wearing giant boots! I needed to keep warm somehow..

Photo Credit: TM 2010 Matt Demir. All Rights Reserved.

My friend Sam loved the costume so much that she decided she needed to keep it for herself:) It looks awesome on her! These photos are too cute, she even has a Soot Sprite from the movie <3

Photo Credit: TM 2010 Trevor Kai. All Rights Reserved.

In case you have not experienced the joy of My Neighbor Totoro (Tonari no Totoro) here is a clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWMEBbkxsq8&feature=related

Mini Top Hat!

For a recent event, I decided I wanted to start the journey into my long coveted love for the steampunk genre. As SP is generally seen in earth tones and muted colors, I wanted to do something a little different and opted for royal blue! I used the same blue fabric for my bustle skirt so I was nicely coordinated:)

There is a thin round elastic band attached to the inside of the hat that allows it to sit on the head. The bow is a velvet ribbon. The chains are tacked in place through the inside of the hat with jewelery head pins and then covered with the vintage buttons. I lucked out finding those in a fabric warehouse in Winnipeg last year. The chains do actually lay straight, but unfortunately I didn't realize the second row was tangled until I was already saving the photographs :)

Woven Purse (aka the devil made me do it)

This purse was a christmas present for one of my lovely best friends. Although I do love how amazing it turned out, it was one of the most ridiculously timely projects I have undertaken in as long as I can remember. I will never repeat this design! Every strip of faux leather that is woven on the front had to have it's edges hand glued so they looked finished. Additionally, those pieces aren't separate. The front is actually only TWO whole pieces with all the strips attached to them and additional pleated around the edges. Whewf, I feel exhausted just recalling the process for this post!


The dimensions are roughly 12" x 7 ", so this image may be quite misleading as I personally think it looks smaller than the actual size here. I used a dark purple faux leather and lined it with black cotton broadcloth. There are two pockets inside and a magnetic closure. There is also a small loop sewn into the back band so the purse has the option of a strap.

Valentino Bow Purse

I've made quite a few of these so far but this is the first one I've taken photos of before sending it off:) I made this for Mir with some beautiful silk dupioni that was orange with a heliotrope sheen to it. The bow part that extends can fit your wrist through and be used like a wristlette. I also lined it with a leopard pattern fabric.

Repo Swap

For my most excellent lady acidtrix I got to do some costume pieces and 'inspired by' pieces for our swap, which may I add I was the recipient of an AMAZING Zydrate hand made sterling silver necklace & Repo Opera ring. She also made me a kick ass Pavi painting in my favorite colors and sent all kinds of lovely little presents on account of my birthday that weekend:) Best presents ever!

     

I designed spats based on Blind Mag's chrommaggia outfit, feathers included :) The base design is sewn out of faux leather and lined with cotton broadcloth.

 

I designed a Zydrate inspired purse using metallic blue spandex and backed it with pellon (its a very thick fusible lining that is AMAZING for purses and a good alternative to buckram because it is a little more flexible). The upper portion of the front (the twist top) and the skull are made with a thin textured faux leather which surprisingly wasn't very difficult to sew.

On the back side of the purse I picked up a thick synthetic leather and then everything was lined with black cotton.

Acidtrix was also working on putting together her fantastic Amber Sweet Zydrate costume for the next Repo event so I helped her out and made her the cage skirt. It's modelled after the Catherine Coatney that Paris wears in the scene, all elastic with silver d-rings and garter straps.

This is her wearing everything at a Repo screening! Her costume turned out amazing and her boyfriend is dressed as Pavi here, they made his costume including his kick ass mask they made from scratch!

I also made her a set of GENECO luggage tags that I designed as well. I had to illustrate the logo and artwork from a low res image because there weren't any available for download that I was happy with. I'm a stickler for details!

I Love Musicals Swap

This was for my partner PaperWings in the I Love Musicals Swap. She *loves* the Rent musical beyond anything! I made her a few things but my favorite thing was an 80s style purse that I designed for her. I picked up some cool fabric and screened the Rent logo all over it before sewing it. I also used a magnetic closure on the inside and put in a two section pocket.

American McGee's Alice Costume

Finally, I have had time to start photographing my backlog of design projects! This was my American McGee's Alice costume design from FALL '08. For the event, I'd also done really nasty slashed wrists that I had stitched back up and they looked realistic enough to make people gag, including Kat who knows my F/X capabilities well enough:) lol