As with the majority of my costumes, I spent many hours planning, patterning, and sourcing all of my materials before I began sewing. I focused on choosing rich, saturated colors of green, red, and gold to help bring this ornate costume to life. I opted for a printed brocade for the green elements, and paired it with satin in red and white, and gold lace. The costume is broken down into a lined bodice with front separating zipper with a boned collar, puff sleeves, and draped bell sleeves. The skirt has an attached train with large center applique and separate lace tiered petticoat. Accessories include an oversized hat in matching brocade with appliques, a lace ascot, lace and armor trimmed boots, and a large golden staff prop. The bodice, sleeves, and skirt have satin-stitched appliqued borders, and motif embroidery on the sleeves and center front of the skirt. Rhinestone chain, gold filigree, flat-back gems, and beading embellishments are throughout. The golden armor is made of craft foam and Worbla thermoplastic with molded filigree details made of hot glue. The prop is made of wood, PVC pipe, and extra large knitting needles for the spikes, painted metallic gold. 

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I created this costume in December of 2016, in only two months time. A convention (Holiday Matsuri) that I had already planned to attend, released an announcement for it's headline contest: The International Cosplay League competition, with it's best in show winner receiving the title of the chosen American representative to compete in an international competition to be held in Madrid, Spain. With a prize as fulfilling as this, I knew exactly what costume to make! I've been wanting to make this costume for a very long time and I was excited to get started right away. It was an extremely fast-paced build and I even worked on it for 36 hours straight the day and a half before the convention (something I have sworn never to put myself through again)! It was extremely rewarding to complete this costume, and I am very proud of myself for pushing myself to create something that was furthering myself to learn new techniques.