Call Me Demelza Poldark
By Jane Xavier Dougherty The second I saw Robin Ellis as Ross Poldark galloping along the dramatic Cornish coastline, back in 1975, I admit to being entranced by Poldark. Set in the late 18th to early 19th centuries, Winston Graham’s novels of Cornwall came to life on the TV screen with all the drama and sweeping romance my teenage brain […]
Jellyfish gown at the Dragon Con Friday Night Costume Contest
By Sahrye Cohen Kym Barrett, the costume designer for the movie “Aquaman,” was inspired by the weird and wonderful marine animals of the ocean world while designing the Atlantean clothes and armor. When I saw the glowing jellyfish dress that Mera wears to the Arena Duel, I knew I wanted to bring the dress to life. The light-up jellyfish and […]
Deanna Troi Cosplay
By Sabrina L. Nelson Close friends know that while I enjoy “Star Wars,” and while I even made a General Leia Organa costume, I’m much more of a Trekker. “Star Trek” was my first love and remains a guiding light in my fantasies of the future. And when I was a pre-teen, I had my fangirl crushes: Captain Kirk for […]
Victorian Seasonal Traveling Ensembles
Article and Photos by Niz Hadid Editor’s note: Niz has a sewing side business called House of Tinkers. I recently completed and sent a collection of dresses for a YouTube channel “Black Girl in a Big Dress.” The idea I had was basically supplying everything you would need for a season traveling abroad during the Victorian era. Some of the […]
Regency / Napoleonic Court Gown and Train at Costume College 2017
By Fresh Frippery Editor’s Note: This article is republished with permission from Vivien Lee of Fresh Frippery. I received my photos from the official Costume College photographer Andrew Schmidt so I can show you my complete Regency/Napoleonic court gown and train ensemble!* *A note about terminology: Technically, English Regency court gowns were a really odd silhouette where you had the high waist […]
How I made my Goddess Hera Costume
By Sabrina L. NelsonGBACG Member ResearchI’m from the “historically approximate” school of costume design. This means that while I will do a lot of research to make something look as period as possible, I don’t follow all the rules because I want to add more personal touches, and I love shine and glitz. So I Googled “Greek robe” and discovered […]
Designing a Wedding Dress for Toni from Luann
by Philip Gust. Published in the November/December 2016 issue of Finery. When cartoonist Greg Evans decided that two characters from his popular Luann comic strip were getting married, he needed a wedding dress for the bride, Toni Daytona, who would be marrying Luann’s brother Brad. Greg and his daughter Karen came up with the idea of a contest for fans […]
In the Winners’ Circle
by Robin McGann. Published in the September/October 2016 issue of Finery. In this article, we take a look at several members who have won a prize in a competition as inspiration for our own costuming goals. Take a look at these creative, inventive endeavors to see what you can bring to your own costuming. Who knows? Maybe these will inspire […]
Creating a Costume for a Fictional Character
How an author envisions her creation by Denise Robarge-Tanaka, First published in the November/December 2014 issue of Finery I write fantasy novels set in a faraway world of my own creation. My latest magical adventure, A Blighted Touch, is scheduled for release next spring. It’s about a mysterious chime that rings out a curse across the land. In one city, everyone feels […]
The Aunt Inez’s Dress Project
by Rose Litvin, First published for the September/October 2013 issue of Finery I don’t normally do 1920s. My body lends itself better to Victorian or Edwardian costuming, which happily coincides with my love of corsetry. Recently, however, I received a lavish wedding invitation. I knew that I had to do something fun and different as I read: “A theme celebration […]
