Romeo + Juliet (1996)

In this adaptation of the Shakespeare play the costumes and set almost alter the perceptions of a character and change the outlook on a performance. because the play is set in another era an audience can respond with it better in my opinion. Colleen Atwood, set designer. and this was to be costume designer Kym Barrett's first film she went on to expand her career on films such as the matrix trilogy and Spiderman. Below I have included images and video clips from the film displaying the costumes and set.

Bath Trip Photographs

During a three day trip in march I visited the city of bath. along with this trip we as a group visited the fashion museum, the roman baths and the royal crescent. The most informative part of the trip was the fashion museum where I was able to view all the historical costumes as well as some designer pieces. our trip included an amount of time in the achieves where I could see up close the amount of effort and details put into these garments.

Newcastle Film and Comic Con 2014

This year the first ever Newcastle Film and Comic Con was held in the metro arena. I used my Poison Ivy from Batman costume as my cosplay for the event and my friend chose to go as Rick Grimes from season four of The Walking Dead, made with my help using aging and distressing techniques. The event housed a number of merchandise stalls, special guests and live talks, but my favourite part was how I was able to see how everyone had made their costumes. There was a wide variety of character costumes on display, which allowed me to see the market of how costume can influence an event such as this. below I have included a number of images displaying my own costume, as unfortunately, due to the crowdedness of the event I failed to collect images of other costumes.

Poison Ivy Costume Construction

This is my original sketch for my poison ivy costume. I have looked at possible colour themes as well as construction techniques. Below the drawing I have focused my attention on the actual construction of the garment looking at possible fabric choices. With the garment being very fitted I wanted to use a stretch fabric. Lycra was the first fabric that matched my needs but I wanted some more texture adding so I researched into the possibility of using a velvet and so finally decided on a velour lycra. I wanted to add an ivy leaf motif onto my leotard and gloves but knew that the possibility of embroidery onto a stretch fabric could be very difficult, so I decided to use applique which would be able to move with the fabric if I used a small tacking stitch, this would also give the leaves a realistic look to them. I also wanted boots in a matching fabric to my gloves, but at first I was unsure on how to create this part. after researching on the internet about how others have created cosplay and costumes of a similar nature, and looked at construction videos and blogs to find that most use a method of fitting a stretch fabric around an existing boot or shoe. Below is my secondary technical drawing produced digitally. Here I have looked at how I can create the sweetheart neckline and still be able to have it wearable, so it doesn't fall down. with the use of a skin/nude coloured micro mesh, the same used for figure skating dresses, with the stretch mesh I can get the desired shape that I needed to create an accurate interpretation of the character.

I began pattern drafting from a book using my own measurements to create the leotard. this is my finished pattern block for the front and back. I then measured how far down I would need the mesh to reach and cut my pieces, show below, I also added strips of fabric to prevent fraying and to give a more finished appearance. I sewed these together using an over locker as form the results of my research this was the most efficient way, a normal straight stich would snap when using a stretch fabric.  I then cut out my two pieces of my green fabric to make the main part of the leotard. I then proceeded to sew these together at the sides and then tried the whole thing on , including the mesh part, so I could measure where I needed to pin them together. I drew on a brief outline of where I wanted the neckline with chalk, after evening this line out I cut the neckline and the back so I could pin the two parts together.

 

 

 

Using a stretch stich on an embroidery machine to sew the two pieces together, my garment was almost  finished. I then over locked the edges and after another fitting I added Velcro to the gusset and that completed the construction part of my leotard. I bought two different types of artificial ivy leaves from a ornamental/ fake flower store. by peeling these from the stems I was able to tack them onto my costume. I bean placing them into clusters as if they were draping around the person.  

Poison Ivy Costume Project

For a separate project I have decided to create a Poison Ivy Costume. Poison Ivy is a villain from the Batman DC comic's and films. I have begun research on the comics and the types of recreations that exist, so when beginning my drawings I can take elements from the images I have looked at. below I have included the images I have used when creating my research. I have also included a few film clips including the Uma Thurman adaptation of the character, I have also included some videos of how other people have adapted their costumes. from this research I have made a decision to make a leotard based costume with boot covers and gloves, I will add a red wig and fake ivy leaves and vines as further development. I wanted to keep the features of the original comic book characters dress as well as looking at the darker elements that DC are currently bringing to the franchise.