Wrap-up

Winter wrap up winter wrap up! let's finish our holiday cheer. Winter wrap up winter wrap-up! (singing pony song that oddly fits)

It seems like the weird pleather i used to create my belt always has meltdowns before an important event. Before my judging at the con, the straps were peeling from the main part because i learned that pleather and any type of glue do not go well together. So i sewed the straps together at the con, but this time before the fashion show, the velcro that held the bags popped off from the pleather! thank heavens for alpha and having safety pins to hold it together long enough for me to walk on the runway. Another trouble I had at the con and the fashion show was the ears staying in place. I loved m hat turned out: so long as the ears remained in place. I probably should have used a stiffer interfacing, but this one is bendable which is its strength (for packing and fold the ears over) and it's weakness. Maybe if i stitched it down in a few more places it will hold his position?

(the beautiful before picture before I had to pack it for the con)

I had too many challenges to count! Such as finding out I needed a certain piece or decal but not having a car or a fabric store nearby... Thank heavens for the sewing center and costume shop though! they were able to have what i needed to get through those small technicalities. I also had troubles with my sleeves at the beginning. I had to redo them several times before I was satisfied by the results. I had lots of challenges, but I was able to get through them rather quickly after some thought or a quick break to cool off.

The judges asked me what I was most proud of or my favorite part about my costume. I shall respond with what I said then: all of it. This was a costume I wanted to create for a really long time back when I first started sewing. I didn't feel ready for it , but when I seriously started thinking about it AND competing in it, I, for the most part, felt ready for the challenge. What boggles my mind is the fact I was able to create it in just 3 months. that doesn't seem long enough to create everything I did and all the time I took to hand-stitch it all together! Miracles do happen. Seeing it come together piece by piece, detail by detail, is the thing I'm proud of most. Seeing it all come together and see it win a competition, how could I not be proud of it all?!?

Final Project Post #2

I'm not sure this is kind of cheating or not since I already have mine done, but I'll talk about the last thing I did with mine, which was the most difficult and slightly frustrating part. THE HAMMER! So with making props, there are lots of different ways to to the same thing; it just depends on how much money and time you have. With me, paper mache is my forte. I know how to work with it;I know the cost and time it takes: I also had something knew I wanted to try with paper mache.

So the first problem of making this thing: making it detachable and sturdy. I knew I wanted it to be big. It had to be to stay true with the character. So I had to think of a way to make it travel friendly and the first answer that came to mind was a detachable pole. I've never made a weapon before, so I was busting my brain with concepts and ideas of how to make a hollow, flimsy box into a sturdy yet break apart-able hammer.

(inside Narnia)

I had a friend help me figure out some ideas of how to stabalize the part where the pole and the box meet. At first, we had a comlicated platform of wood to mount the plumbing piece to, but then, in a moment of genius, my friend suggested drilling a hole into a frisbee. Thanks to the help of Brother Ferre, it happened! I attached the pole that ran through the middle to the top and stabilized the sides with painting sticks and cardboard then taped that puppy up. I did this to prevent the water to distort the boxes shape as I layered it in paper mache. If cardboard is not protected, it will sink and sag in lots of places =P

Next was the layering of the paper mache. This wasn't the hard part =) Afterwards, it was time to try a new technique. With other props I've made (horns, helmets, and crazy arm speakers), I had no clue how to even out the paper mache so you couldnt tell it was actually paper mache! I read a tutorial online that used Gesso, a paint primer for canvases, and sanding it, so I got me two large bottles and went to work on it. I did about 6 coats I believe

Sadly, after the Gesso and sanding, it was still not to my satisfactory. On camera it looks great, but up close, lines were still noticabe and distinct, but I didn't want to start over at all, so I went with it. I spent hours taping newspaper so painting the designs would be easier and cleaner.

After that step, I covered the newly painted grey parts to protect it from the spray paint

A hop, skip, and a jump away it was complete! I don't have any pictures of making the pole, but I will say that there is one thing that bothers me about the hammer... when its on the pole- it rocks. it teeters and wobbles and I don't like it. Makes me worry it's going to SNAP and tear any moment. If I were to do it again, I would find a second mether other than paper mache to make this hammer

Costume Critique: Kawaii-Kon 2015 Masquerade

SURPRISE! Not an anime show! but still anime related. Sister Dooley suggested I did a critique of the cosplay show and for my last review I think that it is an excellent idea. The official title is in the title above, and there is no designer for this. Most outfits are pre-designed by authors, and artists, and animators, ect, so the people are just modeling work they transformed from 2D to 3D.

 5) There were lots of great cosplay this year and it surprised me that I took the Master title. Comparatively, this was the smallest and shortest competition I've been in. Texas and Spokane had A LOT more competitors and took longer. Despite that, most of the cosplays I really enjoyed and awed at. Luckily, I've narrowed it down to my top 3 (aside from myself)

The first group are the Sailor Scouts from Sailor Moon, but with a little twist

The reason why I love this group is because they take an original, overdone idea and make it their own. Below is artwork of the show's original character design. They designed and created their own armor to add onto the regular uniform

Not to mention that I was right next to them in line so I got an up-close look at the armor. I love the craftsmanship and colors of it all. The only critique i have is that the belt on the blue one is falling off. I informed her of this backstage and she fixed it, but it must have slid off again with the waiting and walking. Lots of things could be the cause of it though. I understand the rush of the con and maybe whatever that was holding the armor up wasn't fitted to her body as well as the others

The second on is Raven from Teens Titans. Ah, nostalgia. A favorite childhood show with one of my favorite characters. I didn't get to see this one up close, but she looks good in this picture! The shape of her suit fits her really well, but not too tightly, her wig looks great, and her belt looks well-done. Her cape could have been a bit fuller, but making a large cape takes lots of fabric.

I have no idea what this is from, but i love it! I'll just leave this here.... Those tails.... <3 to die for

6. Sadly, there was one group that was not on my top favorite list... It was a Batman group but with a steampunk interpretation. I think?

 If I'm completely honest, this looks like a closet cosplay meaning that they just dug everything theyre wearing out of their closet and slapped some makeup on. However, to enter, one's cosplay has to be handmade or bought and modified about 70% (if i remember correctly). I wasn't there at their interview so I don't know how they actually pieced everything together. Aside from that,the only two recognizable characters are harely quin and the joker, but I have no idea about the other two. Poison Ivy and...? I have no clue. Just look like ordinary clothes and some crazy makeup (not even any wigs!). I may just be picky, but I can't help but be "meh" about this cosplay

Costume Critique: Bleach

Bleach Costume Critique

Another anime! Surprised? Probably not. This is what I mostly watch *shrug*. This is an old time favorite of mine that I started waaaay back in high school, and I started it from the beginning again recently and totally loving every minute of it. The original character design of Bleach is done by the author Tite Kubo

4) There are four main characters which are a different species from the other main characters and they certainly stand out, but overall, there aren't any differences between major and minor characters. Same black uniforms. The only factor that makes major characters stand out from minor is the hair and accessories worn by them. Most unimportant characters have dull hair colors (black and brown) and simple hairstyles. The more important characters will have flashier hair, scarves, accessories, tattoos, ect, ect. Aside from the characters in the black uniforms (the humans), the unimportant background human characters (when you actually see them) are very similar. Cut and paste hair styles and clothes. Sometimes even the faces aren’t completely designed/defined.

(traditional soul reaper uniform)

5) The challenge of any anime with a wide variety of characters is deciding which one is your favorite. For the most part, every character is dressed in the same uniform: black, traditional Japanese Shihakusho. Therefore, most of them don’t stand out or aren't anything special. It’s not until the third season that some variety enters with some new villains! The main theme of the villain’s Shihakusho is inversed of the soul reapers: the main color is white with black sashes and trims and very diverse and unique to each character.

(A few examples)

Final Project Proposal

• production description: As mentioned in a previous post, I am doing a costume from the video game/anime Tears to Tiara. The game was originally for the PC then the PS3: it's release was in 2005. There are several games to series and the most recent one was released in 2013 October 31st. The anime is based on the PS3 remake and was direction by Tomoki Kobayashi
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• character description: The character I have chosen to create is Rathy. She is a cute little mine elf with the cutest outfit of them all! When I watched the anime, I thought she was a dude (since Rathy was voiced by a male), but upon doing research on her character I found out that "he" was a she. She wanted to keep her sex a secret because she was scared she would have been kicked out of the group if everyone knew she was a girl (despite the fact there are many girls in the group anyway...)
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• why you want to costume this character/production: When I first started to sew and cosplay, I looked at all the veterans and the masterpieces they created that I thought were practically impossible. When I watched the show, I loved rathy's character and quirks. Such a little thing was such a strong power-house character! And as a mine elf, she's suppose to make master weapons, but she hates that and would rather make the best pots and pans! Because of my size I get looked down on and labeled "weak", but Rathy smashes a hammer to the face. I won't be doing any smashing, but thanks to my self-defense class I can throw anyone down and make them beg ;). Aside from her personality, her clothes are my favorite of any character. I looked at her and saw a challenge. Well, at the time my sewing skills were very-how to say this- comparable to a new-born calf. I could hardly do anything and lacked the confidence to do it. It wasn't until I took the patter making class here that I felt like I could take on any cosplay I wanted: especially after successfully making AKB0048 cosplays for both my friend and I. I then looked back at Rathy and though: I am ready.
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• your proposed costume idea:So my proposal is bringing to life this adorable mine elf. Head-to-toe; hammer, crazy hat, crazy shoes, and crazy utility belt. I will base the costume mostly after the video game version rather than the anime. The difference is the number of pouches on her belt and the details of the gloves.
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• what you need to complete the costume (supplies, equipment, knowledge, time): I actually started this project at the beginning of the semester. I initially wanted to make this costume for Kawaii-Kon's Masquerade competition (AKA costume competition), so I was already on a time crunch to get it done before March 27th. I'm practically done with everything, but I won't say what I'm working on or what I have left. That will be for the next post!

Inspirational images:

Earnest Wrap-up

I still can’t believe we had like two weeks? Two weeks to do all the costumes. Again, I don’t feel like I did much for the play like for Mary Poppins. I just spent hours finding a costume to have it completely changed and replaced. I only really made a small hairpiece for Gwndolyn (only really made hats for Mary Poppins too!). There is a bright side to all this though! I felt more useful backstage as opposed to the Marry Poppins play. I was asked to help with makeup and hair by Reka each night I worked, and I was the one to (try) and rub hay on Dania’s dress. 

(make-up used (or almost used) for Reka)

(finished make-up!)

Another thing I thought went well was the actors being required to sign a contract and being explicitly told the rules of the costumes (such as putting makeup on first before dressing in their costumes). That, and having a smaller cast made things a bit less chaotic and easier to organize things and not lose them as well! I really really liked how we weren’t going to put things back into the closet till the next day of class. I was so hungry my stomach was hurting and I could hardly walk. I bet everyone was feeling the same way by the end of the play

                

     What could have been done better? The last dress rehearsal seemed to be the first night that Dania had someone rub hay all over her skirt. Why wasn’t it done sooner and sooner discovered that there had to be a medium to attach the hay to the skirt? On opening night was the first night the string method was used with the hay. What if it didn’t work? That would have caused a big problem right on stage in front of the audience. I would also say give at least another week for everyone to prepare for another play! Another question that arose in my mind was the question of why weren’t the speakers on? In Mary Poppins, they were an essential part to help the actors know where in the play everything was. I panicked a bit! But I seemed to be the only one that did, so I didn’t worry about it for too long

             

     How I felt about the end result: Even though there was a big rush to finish everything, being backstage and seeing all the costumes and how they turned out made me happy. All the costumes were well done. I also feel like I learn something new about makeup each time and was able to better myself as a theatrical makeup artist.  I learned where to properly place blush this time! Alpha told me that it is supposed to go on the top of the cheeks rather than directly on them. I still don’t know how to really make someone look old or how to perfectly highlight or shadow, but maybe that will be for another play

Costume Critique: The Producers

Aside from The Phantom of the Opera, this is another one of my favorite musicals! Since this is a musical adaptation by Mel Brooks, it is hilarious borderline offensive and inappropriate. William Ivey Long is the costume designer (I was actually able to find it) and he is also known for Annie Get Your Gun and Big Fish (musical version only I believe)

5. Since this movie/musical is set in 1959, the costumes are more realistic than anything. So normally they wouldn't stand out, but  this is Mel Brooks! His movies are anything BUT mundane. My favorite scene in the movie is so hilarious and wonderful and full of bright costumes. But there is one. That stands out from the rest. This character is a director and he enters a Director's Costume contest and and in his words "I'm suppose to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia! But I look more like the Chrysler building!". I love this dress for a couple of reasons. 

     1. The grand entrance he does with it is hilarious!

     2.The details and sequence on it! I imagine all of those had to be done by hand and took... I don't even want to think about how long it took

     3. That hat. I don't know what or how, but it's beautifully made and constructed.

3.  Every character is well represented by their clothes! You have the two main characters in their business suits, Will Ferrell in a German uniform which matches his character, the flamboyant director and his assistant always well dressed, and every background character fitting the time period. There is one character though that I'm questioning a bit. Uma Thurman's character is an immigrant from Sweden, but that's all we hear about her background. She is a very well-dressed, beautiful.  and kind of empty-headed woman who came to America to try and make it as an actress and she seems to be FOB (fresh off the boat), so why is she so well dressed? Unless she came from a wealthy family and had nothing else better to do, I'm not entirely convinced if her costume fits her current place and level in life. But, this is all speculation since it's never mentioned how long she's been in the states, if she's had other acting jobs, or her family's or person financial situation

Lab Hours: Kierah

These lab hours weren't much different from my last lab hours sadly. I was still stuck with no inspiration for Gwnedolyn's outfit. Things either didnt fit, weren't long enough, were too dark, or didnt fit the period's fashion. After about 3 hours of having Camille try things on and making a mess of the closet, I found something I was partially satisfied with.

There were flapper like dresses up in the closet of many different colors of pink and I chose the one that wasn't a pink really at all and had sheer dangly pieces. Gwendolyn is a fashionista, and the fashion of the time was sleek and chic opposite to the big, ruffly, lacey, puffy Victorian age. We found a plain white skirt that was long enough for her and looked well with the color of the top. stuffing the sheer pieces, inside the skirt, we found something around the 1918 fashion. There were only a few problems with the top. For some reason, it really loved showing her bra line and the back bunched up in an unflattering way, but by then we were both tired and hungry and didn't wan to do anymore with clothes, so we hung up the pieces and went home

   

During the beginning part of my lab hours, I also checked on the glasses i glued on an old feather piece during class. I lifted them up to show Ingrid and POP! they drop off the stick. I tried resticking them on, twisting them with wire (which was hard with the thickness of the wire), and Ingrid tried sticking them inside the feather pipe, but nothing would work. The glasses wouldnt sit right or sit still as i twisted the wire around it.

Overall, these lab hours frustrated me. Everything I worked on ended up not working or being redone with something else. I also feel bad that Sister Dooley is having to pick up my slack and making the over coats for my character... The first dress rehersal is Monday, and I don't feel like I've done anything to prepare my character for the stage.

Costume Critique: Hetalia

The show I am critiquing ins (another one of my favorites) Hetalia. This show is originally created by Himaruya and the whole show is about characters who represent countries with generalized and stereotyped personalities and behaviors, so what happens in te show is based on history and the interactions between the different characters

2) Since this is a show based on history, it would stand to reason that the character's clothes are period appropiate. Most of the events that take place in the show are around WWII or the 1940's, and Hima really does his homework not only about historical facts and events, but also fashion.

 Here is a wonderful example of this. Up above is none other than the Country of Love, France. He is sporting a rather bright and colorful military uniform that England often teases him about. Believe it or not, that was the uniform of the French army through WWI and part of WWII (see below). It is a long standing joke in the show that France is very flashy in his dress, especially his uniform which makes him easily spotted in battle and attacked (also historically accurate).

Another example with 'MURICA

5. My favorite? In the show, nothing really stands out to me. They are basically in their uniforms or just ordinary clothes. Yes, some of them look cool, but nothing i would completely fawn over and want (other than russia's coat because he's my favorite and i love him! I would sleep in his coat....) Hima has done some wonderful artwork of the different countries in traditional, royal attire, but it isn't exactly in the show so I'm not sure if it counts. I could go on and on about Hima's artwork and also fan artwork and the outfits in those!
I'll just sneak in a couple of artwork pictures....

 (Japan left, Taiwan right. Fan art)

 (Russia in Royal clothing. Official Hima artwork)

(Vietnam in a depiction of the Vietnam War. Fan art)

(France and Joan of Arc *holding back tears*. Fan art)

Lab Hours

I can't believe we have such a short amount of time to get the costumes ready for Earnest! I decided to focus on Gwendolen Fairfax because she is a fashionable lady and I thought it would be a fun character to dress. However, I'm having a hard time find something that works. The fashion of 1918 is not quite Edwardian, but not quite 20's. It's like  the awkward adolescence period of fashion. It's not sure what it is, and i'm not sure either or how to use what we have to do something 1918's. Sometimes i wish I had a time machine to just go back and buy something from a store. The first dresses I grabbed weren't going to work because one was a wine red which is another character's color and the other one was too dark (even though it is a fabulous dress). So during my second lab hour time I went back to the closet and grabbed anything and everything I though would work and fit my actor. I also happened to bump into Camille and we scheduled for another fitting to try on those other options.

(Above, dress of fabulousness)

(other options to try)

Mary Poppins: Wrap-Up

I've never worked in a musical before so this was a whole new experience for me. When I got there for rehearsal, I didn't know what to do. Everyone seemed to be doing just fine without me except those who needed help with makeup. although I'm familiar with cosplay makeup,  extreme, theatrical makeup is something I'm not knowledgeable about. I didn't really feel useful. Ingrid taught me a thing or two about stage makeup, so I was able to help a bit with the Extra's makeup since they didn't really need to stand out THAT much. During the actual play night, I felt more prepared and ready to do my part. I helped with the makeup where i could, i offered to get drinks, pin hair, or other small tasks to lighten the burden of the actors. I had my homework for down time and I seemed to be the only one who panicked when the speakers weren't working in the back. Low and behold, a button came off a banker's vest and Roberston Ay's apron tie broke. I was able to fix both of them real quick and I finally used my special skills to help out backstage. I also loved doing the chimney sweep's face dust. Although I didn't make any major costumes, seeing what I did contribute to the musical made me so happy! Even though there was lots of work to be done that cut into my nights and days, I found this experience very enjoyable and enlightening. It was fun and slightly relaxing to be a part of something wonderful, and also be recognized for my contributions. Perhaps, even when I'm out of this class, I will continue to help out the theatrical productions

Me fixing Robertson Ay's apron or the button on a vest as Taylor played with my hair. I don't remembered which one I was doing in this picture

Trying on Mary's Jolly Holiday hat at the very end. I feel like Audrey Hepburn! <3

Costume Critique :Kami-Sama Kiss

I just started the second season (that has been coming out finally!). I love this show soooo much. As normal, this started out as a book so the original designer of everything is the author/artist Juilietta Suzuki.

This series is based on modern day Japan but it also mixes traditional Japanese mythology into it. Nanami is a regular high school girl but was abandoned by her father who owned a large debt because of his gambling addiction so she was kicked out of her house. She meets a man in the park who is up in a tree evading a little pup barking at him. Nanami merely tells the dog to go away and in short, the man kisses her forehead telling her she has a new home. She later finds out that he was the land God of the region and he passed his Godhood onto her, making her the new God of the land.
Even though she is a God, she still attends high school and wears her usually school uniform.  You rarely see her in formal attire, one of those times is when she purified and blessed the land with a dance at an annual festival.
Along with the modern clothes, it also has that spice of feudal Japan because of her servants which are spirits which leads into my favorite costume modeled by Tomoe

He is a fox spirit that usually wears a traditional Japanese outfit of some kind unless he's going to school with Nanami. I just love traditional Japanese clothes and the elegance to it. Tomoe's clothes change of course; his Kimonos are never the same but he does have one he usually fights in.
If you love romantic-comedies and traditional Japanese mythology and clothes: this is the show for you ;D

Lab hours

These lab hours were a lot more productive in my opinion. At first I didn't want to touch or think about the sweeper caps because of a recent frustration with the pattern so I worked on smaller things. Alpha asked me to work on Katie Nana's hat by adding a black ribbon around to cover up the sky blue part. That took me an hour to do which I find strange. I always seem to take my time with handstitching things. I then worked on making the hat look more Edwardian. originally, the hat had a down curve to it making it a sun hat/ With Alpha's help and creative mind, I stitched it down in a couple of places and gave the brim a wavy shape and dispelling the sun hat look! For the last hour of my lab work, Sister Dooley gave me a new hat pattern which had much better instructions to it than the one I found. I was able to make two hats but there is still a little bit of work needed to be done on them but it wont be too earth shatter if it isn't done

Costume Critique: My Little Pony Equestria Girls- Rainbow Rocks

Yes. I went there. Nope. I'm not sorry! I love this sequel so much! My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks! no specific designers, but lots of artists and animators.

3 &7) I love the character designs in this movie. This is  spin off of the show My Little Pony, so they designers had to think of how to translate ponies into humans and maintain the characters' personalities and characteristics. They even incorporated the cutie marks (butt tattoos) in the characters, even the background characters. It must have been lots of fun and also kinda frustrating to get each character just right.

5) again.... favorite costume... yup.... tough question. I really love the villainess'  designs. They were sirens banishes to our world and they take on the forms of normal high school girls. Yet, their design is very pop starish. It really makes them stand out from the background characters and even the main characters. No matter what form or outfit they are in, they do stand out above anyone else.

(siren form, normal, siren powers restored respectively)

 Another personal favorite other than the main characters are the fashionistas, the Snapshots. I mean look at them! How would you describe their look. gothic? punk? cute? a mix of all? I'm mainly talking about all of them beside the white haired one. very very unique and different and i absolutely love it! the colors and style and accessories just makes me squee and geek out and want to make it ASAP. both of them because I love them both