Avatar: The Last Airbender
Mai (art by Viria13)
I have wanted to make an Avatar costume for ages, ever since Kia introduced me to the series. I'm so glad that I FINALLY got to do one, even if it's not canon!
Why this design? I like Mai (and Zuko >_>); came across Viria13's character designs while looking at Avatar fan art one day and adored her interpretation; and when I saw the Arda Wigs limited edition "Anti-Valentina" wig for sale all I could think was that it would be a perfect fit for Viria's version of Mai. Obviously it's not an exact match to the art, but I thought that the red layers would look too good not to do it.
The outfit combines store-bought with hand-made items - the jeans, gloves, and jewelry are purchased, the boots are altered to add the big cuff, and the shirt and vest were sewn from scratch. I had fun designing the shirt, trying to incorporate the details in the illustration as design elements. For example, the hip seams are ruched and the sleeves have pin-tuck type detailing sewn in contrasting thread. I deviated from the art a bit with the vest by making it draped style instead of fitted - since outfits like this are more fashion than costume I like to be able to wear the clothes in my daily life, and a draped vest is something I'm 1000% more likely to wear outside of cosplay.
The wig was the biggest styling project I've taken on in almost a decade - while I know most of the popular wig-craft theory, I'm woefully short in practice. So I'm really proud of how things turned out between sewing in extra wefts, adding foam filler, and making a pretty part in the back for the pigtails.
In-depth construction notes and progress photos are in this blog post.
Current status: active.
Why this design? I like Mai (and Zuko >_>); came across Viria13's character designs while looking at Avatar fan art one day and adored her interpretation; and when I saw the Arda Wigs limited edition "Anti-Valentina" wig for sale all I could think was that it would be a perfect fit for Viria's version of Mai. Obviously it's not an exact match to the art, but I thought that the red layers would look too good not to do it.
The outfit combines store-bought with hand-made items - the jeans, gloves, and jewelry are purchased, the boots are altered to add the big cuff, and the shirt and vest were sewn from scratch. I had fun designing the shirt, trying to incorporate the details in the illustration as design elements. For example, the hip seams are ruched and the sleeves have pin-tuck type detailing sewn in contrasting thread. I deviated from the art a bit with the vest by making it draped style instead of fitted - since outfits like this are more fashion than costume I like to be able to wear the clothes in my daily life, and a draped vest is something I'm 1000% more likely to wear outside of cosplay.
The wig was the biggest styling project I've taken on in almost a decade - while I know most of the popular wig-craft theory, I'm woefully short in practice. So I'm really proud of how things turned out between sewing in extra wefts, adding foam filler, and making a pretty part in the back for the pigtails.
In-depth construction notes and progress photos are in this blog post.
Current status: active.
Events:
2015 March Toronto Comic Con, C2E2, Anime North
2015 March Toronto Comic Con, C2E2, Anime North
Each photo in the gallery is labeled with its respective photographer; please visit their websites!
Everage: http://everage.deviantart.com/
Very Frank Pictures: https://www.facebook.com/VeryFrankPictures
All photos are property of their respective owners and may not be used without permission.
Everage: http://everage.deviantart.com/
Very Frank Pictures: https://www.facebook.com/VeryFrankPictures
All photos are property of their respective owners and may not be used without permission.
