03 March 2010

Maria Renard (Castlevania) – Overview/Initial Impression


    My character for this year's Otakon (2010) is Maria from Castlevania. 


 
    Looks simple enough right? So I was poking around on the internet, trying to find some girls who have made this costume before, but have found little luck in procuring an actual documentation. So far I have found that people have spent between $200 and $300 to make this outfit and have spent 10 – 20 hours in making it. I would like more, but I'm not getting it so, here we go.

 
What I know (or think I know) about this costume:

  • The "dress" or rather, coat is pirate-esque

  • There is a very large sash tied around her waist

  • The collar and cuffs will require some major stiffening

  • There's a little ruffled shirt under the jacket

  • The sleeves will require some gathering and possibly shoulder pads to achieve the right look

  • I'm going to have to find some ugly pilgrim shoes and make them look "right"

  • I need to keep my hair blonde and resist the urge to colour it

  • Achieving the cut-away shape at the collar is going to be crucial.

  • The jacket just covers the tuchus, and only closes via lacing (like a corset) over the bust and just down to the waist

 
I've been crawling around on the web trying to find pictures of those before me. And so far, honestly I haven't liked many. Some have done a nice job, but many are just lacking something. I think I don't like the way many have stylized their jackets, letting them hang limp and looking a little skimpy. It's a jacket. This piece screams velvet and couture to me. I want to construct this well enough so that I could reuse it later as a street piece or as something to modify and use with a Ren costume. Also, since this costume lacks bottoms, I think I want the only real element I am wearing to be a little more substantial. I am used to costumes with long skirts, so this pants-less look is something very odd to me.

 
What I need (as of 3 March 2010)

  • Velvet (jacket) – possibly 3ish yds

  • Jacquard (jacket and sash) – 2ish yards

    • I think I could get away with buying two or three premade scarves and sewing them together, but I really dislike the idea of so much mismatched gold

  • Lace appliqués (jacket) – I have no idea where to find something similar – to the internet!

  • Brown gloves – found them already on the internet

  • "Pilgrim" shoes – already found on the internet

  • Gold paint (shoes)

  • Soft, white fabric (undershirt, sleeveless – so I may be somewhat decent if I take off the jacket) – 1 – 2 yd

  • Interfacing (cuffs and collar) – 1 yd

  • White stockings – find at hot topic or something, maybe buy two – I am prone to running nylons

  • Green satin ribbon (stockings and hair) – probably a spool – will eyeball the width

  • Spandex shorts – target I guess? (no I don't already own a pair)

  • Closures – the picture makes it look like the dress laces up, like a corset, but that is nuts! That is waaay too much trouble when I want to take that jacket off and on (and in the summer weather, it's going to come off at some point)

  • Test fabric for the jacket which may also come to double as an interlining – bought 3 yds already

 
Okay. . . that seems like a nice list. Once I have all the materials assembled, I think I will organize a price list to see if I get up to the projected $200 – 300 (or exceed it – hopefully not!) Anything else? No, I think that's good for now. . .
   
 

0 additional insights:

Post a Comment

Template by:
Free Blog Templates