Carnaval 2009 - My Costume Details!
So I knew I wanted to use my old Carmen Miranda fruit. I was taken with the shape of the typical Day of the Dead Bride headdresses, sort of a half circle curved over the head, usually packed with flowers, sometimes tissue paper flowers. I began building the base shape and created a whole pile of glitter-adorned tissue paper flowers. Two years ago I had purchased some silver/gold/irridescant Christmas garland with the intention of using it on last year's disco costume, but I never did use it, and it worked out PERFECTLY as filler for this costume's headdress.
I had an old black velvet unitard, leftover from my early college days, and I used that to build the skeleton bodysuit. I hand drew patterns for bones and cut each bone out of white felt and outlined it in irridescent sequins. I did the front and back of my legs, but only one side of my arms (the top).
OH! And I was back to my trusty platform boots again this year. I think I look totally fabulous in my rockin' disco boots from last year, but BOY did my feet hurt. I don't care if it's not as flattering, I shall never wear anything but my platform boots again!! Until I forget how painful it was to wear something else. And then I might try again. :)
I made little black fingerless gloves that I painted the tiny hand bones on and outlined them in irridescent glitter - I LOVED those gloves, btw, they were so fun.
My sternum/rib bones were a puzzle at first; I knew I had to leave a place for my pasties, but wasn't sure how to accomplish it, so I settled on just a few ribs instead of the whole ribcage. The whole piece is stiffened with florist wire to help it keep its shape.
I also made a bouquet using some of the flowers and Christmas garland. I thought it really helped with the bride theme, and it was fun to pose with. I made certain to have a little loop of ribbon on the end so I could just drop it if I wanted to and wouldn't lose it.
I continue to use my trusty custom hand-made (not by me!!) black corset that I have used several years now. I embellished some old lace I owned with ribbons and sequins and trimmed the front of the corset with it. I LOVE the effect. It was gorgeous in the light.
I made two different models for my pasties, and ended up chosing ones that echoed the pink flower-shapes and purple circles around my eyes. They were simple, but lovely, and if you ever got to look at them close-up, you would see the beautiful twisted ribbon that encircled it. Pretty!
Wanting to work in as much of the "bride" theme, I added a HUGE veil to the back of my headdress and also a HUGE puffy skirt. Both were trimmed with strips of ribbon and fabric and hand-applied sequins. I tell you I LOVED my skirt as it was so so so so light and easy to move in.
It was the simplist thing to make, just layer after layer of netting knotted along a sturdy strip of fabric. I worked on it as it was tied on a barstool. After enough layers, I just tied it around my waist and BOOM: bustle skirt. I finally had to walk away from it; I just couldn't quit adding just ONE MORE piece of fabric or ONE MORE sequin...
Here you can see the little detail of fruit and flowers I put at the base of the bustle. I'm not sure how many people even saw it, but I knew it was there! Little secret nest of fruit!!
I loved the finished product. The makeup was extremely time-consuming to put on, but it was well-worth the effort. It was funny how many people weren't sure who I was, my makeup was so transformative.
Here are some photos I took early on for reference when I was placing the fruit. Shortly after this, I wired it in and began filling the spaces with tissue paper flowers and the Christmas garland. Dig my reindeer pajama pants!!!
 |
 |
- Help Me Keep My Site Afloat!