Adipose Needle Book

It's been a while since I posted! I haven't had any costume adventures since my last post for SDCC and took a little break from crafting but I have started back up again - hopefully will be able to post lots of new projects with more frequency :)

Today's project is an original needle book. I had some left over Adipose fabric I had screened a quite a while ago for a Doctor Who travel wallet and thought it would work great for this kind of project. Plus, can't really beat a functional stash buster project :) The needle book has an inside pocket running the width of the booklet and four felt pages to store all kinds of needles and sharp objects. It was fun to make, especially getting to add the DH reference!

Monster High - Cosplay Teaser

Something I've been working on. This garment piece is entirely finished.. Can't wait to wear it! I may be premiering this cosplay at SDCC this year ;)

All Photo Credits: TM 2013 SMASHWORKS. All Rights Reserved.

Rochelle Goyle Cosplay - Sponsored by Monster High x Mattel

Late Fall 2012, I was approached by Monster High x Mattel about doing an amazing collaboration. They wanted me to choose one of the newer characters from Monster High and create a cosplay for myself, recording all my process work and doing a final series of images of fully dressed up in the cosplay. My work would then be showcased on all their social media websites around Halloween. What an honor! I love Monster High and the talented minds behind it so it was a no brainer to say yes. I was even provided with a small amount of funding to cover some of the materials, for which I was very grateful. If you are a cosplayer or have seen my Toralei costume blog, you will know that cosplaying can be a very expensive endeavor. 

Frankie Stein, Home Ick - Monster High Cosplay

All Photo Credits: TM 2013 SMASHWORKS. All Rights Reserved.

The second cosplay I debuted at San Diego Comic Con 2013 was Frankie Stein in her Home Ick outfit. I immediately loved this outfit when I first saw it because of the multiple textile patterns in all her clothing pieces, especially the apron. This outfit has great accessories too.

I had already constructed my wig back when I did my Frankie Fearleading Cosplay and was happy to wear it again because it was super comfortable. I drafted and constructed the tunic, using butcher's paper to create the stripes and "stitches" down the center front. The apron was also created from scratch, silk-screened with a pattern that I digitally illustrated that referenced the original doll version. 

All Photo Credits: TM 2013 SMASHWORKS. All Rights Reserved.

I didn't have time to trek out to a fabric store for more white cotton jersey so I picked up a pair of white leggings, took them apart and screened the plaid pattern I had digitally illustrated on to them. This part was not very fun as my screen was pretty busted up while I was doing the leggings and it was a very hard pattern to match up for the repeat. I tried my best to connect everything so it would look as cohesive as possible but did have to fix problem areas with butcher's paper. This was the first time I'd attempted such an intensive repeating pattern! 

For her cuffs, I actually sewed a functional pincushion and placed real pins (although I had cut off the sharp pin tips) that coordinated with the ones on the original doll. 

All Photo Credits: TM 2013 SMASHWORKS. All Rights Reserved.

The other cuff was made from felt which I then used butcher's paper to created the "stitch" pattern on it. The bolt ring and earrings were both created using a combination of Sculpty and metal hardware/findings. The shoes were originally black Mary Janes that were spray painted white (except for the heel). The straps were made using red vinyl.

I didn't get too many photos during SDCC so the following photos are from Fan Expo 2012 where my friend wore the costume and attended with me :)

All Photo Credits: TM 2013 SMASHWORKS. All Rights Reserved.

I got interviewed by Vanity Fair in this cosplay which was an amazing experience!

C.A. Cupid - Monster High Cosplay

All Photo Credits: TM 2013 SMASHWORKS. All Rights Reserved.

C.A. Cupid is one of my favorite new characters from Monster High. The first time I saw an image of her I fell in love, I mean she's got a split RIB CAGE for her wings... That is seriously bad a** :D Her style is lovely and distinctive, I especially love the black dripping ink pattern coming down on the waist of her skirt.

I started working on this costume in January 2012 and it took me a few months to get all my patterns done, the supplies collected, construction, and finally putting everything together. I premiered it at San Diego Comic-Con 2012 and was very happy with how it all turned out (and that nothing got destroyed to the point of no repair on the plane ride there!).

I digitally illustrated the textile patterns on the bottom of the skirt and the stockings using reference images that the few lucky people who had this doll when it first came out were nice enough to post online (this was back in January/February 2012). This was actually one of the first times I attempted to silk screen a pattern. It was very stressful, particularly because there are two colors on the repeating heart pattern of the skirt that intertwine with one another! I also dip dyed the bottom of the skirt fabric pink but due to the type of fabric I used (upcycled peau de soi) it did not take too well to the fabric and ended up going lighter more than I hoped. I felt that was better than making it bright fuchsia though :)

I created the head band, sculpted the earrings and ring, transformed vintage ballroom gloves with a butcher's paper stencil and screen ink, drafted and sewed the skirt and corset from scratch, created the arm guard, screened the stockings, broke down a pair of shoes and sculpted the footwear embellishments, and created the wings. I don't have detail shots of the accessories right now but I will try to photograph them to post them soon.

All Photo Credits: TM 2013 SMASHWORKS. All Rights Reserved.

Below is a picture of me posing with the C.A. Cupid doll at the Monster High booth at SDCC 2012 which MH featured on their Tumblr. I got to meet the amazing team behind MH and was blown away by how lovely they all were :) It was the first time I ever saw the doll in person too! I also got to chat with Erin Fitzgerald, the awesome voice actress of C.A. Cupid who was totally adorable. She actually does six of the characters on the show and during the Monster High panel it was hilarious to hear her and the other actress switch so easily between their character voices and "normal" voices. The panel was amazing, I could not have been happier with all my MH experiences at this years con. I had a blast cosplaying C.A. Cupid and can't wait to see what other outfits MH designs for her!

Above two images are property of Monster High / Mattel

Hopefully I can win the grand ticket battle for SDCC 2013 and make the journey again. I'm pretty sure I know who I'm going to be working on next ;)

Junko Mizuno Inspired Burlesque Corset

Junko Mizuno, an amazing Japanese artist I love, opened her second solo Canadian gallery show "Venus Cake : Junko Mizuno's Food Obsession" last night! Not only was she there in person, there was also a burlesque show after party featuring Raimi the Minx and the Underground Peepshow in which all the performers were themed after her beautiful artwork! I was lucky enough to have a hand in creating one of the costumes for Peepshow's Sevvy Skellington inspired by Junko's "Fire bird" which you can check out here. 

All the patterns and graphics on the corset were digitally illustrated by me based directly on Junko's piece. After that I silk screened the flowers on the fabric for the side and back panels and screened the animals. For the animals also the grey shading by hand. I think it turned out pretty amazing and it looked beautiful on Sevvy! I hope to have some photos of her wearing the costume up here soon :) Junko herself complimented the corset to me which was the icing on the cake! *squee*

Follow the link below to see the back of the corset and a close-up of the graphics!

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 (2.0) - Chucky.. also known as "The Lakeshore Strangler"

My second Halloween costume undertaking this year was Charles Lee "Chucky" Ray who is also known as "The Lakeshore Strangler" by horror aficionados :) I unfortunately had to miss the Zombie Walk earlier in the month, breaking my yearly tradition so decided to console myself by morphing into a character that still haunts many. I did all the f/x makeup from scratch, using a combination of scar wax and liquid latex for the base, adding color. After sealing it, I manually sewed in the stitches with a needle and fishing line.

I made a shirt from scratch after realizing that rainbow striped long sleeved shirts are impossible to find! Who would have thought. I screened the "Good Guys" logo on a pair of overalls and found a pair of red kicks that I added the white stripes to. After that, all I needed was a nice sharp knife and a switch blade... Oh yes, and a creepy frozen smile that I kept on throughout the night..

Hi. I'm Chucky, wanna play?

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

Photo Credit: TM 2010 Kat Sylvester. All Rights Reserved.

Adventures in Silk Screen Alternatives!

For some time, I had been reading about using Butcher's Paper as an alternative to the time consuming and frequently frustrating process of throwing a screen without a light table. While in Winnipeg for Christmas, my dad picked up a few meters from a client and surprised me with it! I was so excited to try it out, and I have to say it's amazing! Other than the tedius requirement of manually cutting everything out, I've found you can reuse them a few times if you are careful :)

The Long Awaited Epic Blog Post of Jurassic Park on the Silver Stage! Pt. 3 - Trannysaurus Rex

Our amazing director Alex Woodside stepped forward last minute to fill the shoes of the Drag T-Rex or as I fondly refer to her, Trannysaurus Rex. This involved a wide range of acrobatics, screaming and general molestation and he pulled it off immaculately! I don't have photos of all the costume pieces for this unfortunately but I do have some great shots of him in action!


I wanted to do something different for the Rex head because scale wise, compared to the Raptors it would have been quite larger. Instead of trying to do the obvious and just scale things up, I decided on a totally different route and made a Rex Fascinator, or little hat to sit on top of the head that had a thin elastic band to keep it on around the neck. Then I made a neck corset out of red faux leather and added a row of teeth on the top of it. Additionally, the costume had a white elastic harness like the other dinosaurs. Unfortunately I don't have any detailed shots of the collar or harness but you can see how it looks in the live shots.

Some shots of the live show and full costume: