Phantom costumes - real and replicas 1

It looks like a really awesome start on you Elissa project Operafantomet. It's going to be so exciting to see it finished. And thanks again for doing it.

MasqPhan wrote:Looks like another masterpiece in the works with that Elissa costume. And what a great idea to use it to raise funds for breast cancer research.

I doubt I'd win it but it would be awesome to have it to go with my Hannibal Slave Girl costume. I'll certainly try.

On your website you state that you may also make the Slave Girl costume to go with the skirt. If you do that and by some miracle I actually win the auction, I would be willing to just accept the skirt and let you re-auction the Slave Girl part to raise even more funds.

Iz an offer one can't refoose, eh?

Let's see how things progress. I tend to start enthusiastically on a new project, then work very slowly for some time, and then pick up speed again. Which is why I'm a bit in doubt about that slavegirl costume. I know I'll get to finish the skirt in time, but I'm not sure about an eventual bodice.

Thank you for your kind words so far!

ETA: found a rather perfect fabric for the skirt today, hooray! Now I just need to find the money...

Ah! Beautiful, as usual, Anéa! I don't even favor the American design, and yet you managed to make me like it here. That green border came out great!

Loettchen wrote:Ah! Beautiful, as usual, Anéa! I don't even favor the American design, and yet you managed to make me like it here. That green border came out great!

He-he, that IS a compliment!

I must admit I think the US design is less fun to work with in terms of colours, I prefer the gold-appliqué-and-sari-fabric style of other versions (especially the UK and German ones). The way I make costumes is closer to the latter than the former. I also think the latter opens for more fringes and "rough" edges. But the US style is wonderful to work with in terms of specific design and continuity in looks. It's also a challenge to make the clear red, green, yellow and black harmonize and look extravagant rather than something from LEGO...

As of now I'm almost done with the three appliqué motifs, and I've also decorated all three tabs with black lining and black "sequence" fabric. Haven't attached the appliqués to the tabs, but this is the current look when pinned on:

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The border is trimmed with a yellow/red/green "tartan" ribbon, plus two rows of a narrow gold ribbon. Next up will be to decorate the whole thing. Anyone who got tons of spare red and green gems? I only need... well... about 40 for each tab...

Three tabs soon finished, and green jacquard for skirt bought. Starts to look like a decent project now...

I bought ten yards of this recently. Never know if I'll need some red and black fabric for upgrading Red Death....

http://cgi.ebay.com/RENAISSANCE-RED-BLACK-CROSS-VESTMENT-BROCADE-FABRIC_W0QQitemZ220529938097QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item33589bceb1

phantomfett wrote:I bought ten yards of this recently. Never know if I'll need some red and black fabric for upgrading Red Death....

http://cgi.ebay.com/RENAISSANCE-RED-BLACK-CROSS-VESTMENT-BROCADE-FABRIC_W0QQitemZ220529938097QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item33589bceb1

That is some wicked awesome fabric. Nice find!

~Madame~

That fabric is perfect for Red Death!! Great find.

That's GORGEOUS fabric! I want it, and I don't even have any reason for it.

Speaking of fabric...I haven't been able to find any more of what you requested, Bryan. I'll keep looking, but...

Two new pics of the Elissa skirt V02. Found the perfect fabric yesterday for the main skirt, a lovely emerald jacquard, and the price wasn't too bad either. Bought three meters, which will be enough for the main skirt. They also had a killer silk for the apron/drapes; a red silk with gold and fuchsia pattern, WOW it was awesome. Very much like what the Vegas costumes has used for the apron part. But expensive... Considering the backdrape is large, and I'll use the same fabric for apron, tabs and backdrape, I would need 6, maybe 7 meters. And I know I can find a cheaper-and-pretty-looking substitute. Ach...

I've also started decorating the tabs with ribbons and gems. That's the fun part!

phantomgirl110 wrote:That's GORGEOUS fabric! I want it, and I don't even have any reason for it.

Speaking of fabric...I haven't been able to find any more of what you requested, Bryan. I'll keep looking, but...

Don't sweat it, Mandy. I really only need small pieces of it. Any chance I can talk you into saving all of your scraps when you're making your new jacket? I can probably make what I need from a few good scrap pieces.

operafantomet wrote:
I've also started decorating the tabs with ribbons and gems. That's the fun part!

Sicko!

phantomfett wrote:

operafantomet wrote:
I've also started decorating the tabs with ribbons and gems. That's the fun part!

Sicko!

Said the guy who added piping to.. what was it, 30 panels for the Red Death sleeves?

Actually, it was 48 panels with over 100 yards of piping total in the top of the costume....

been busy for a while but a few weeks ago mllemusique came down to my house for a visit and we had a day which we devoted completely to dressing up and singing stuff from phantom. And yes most of it was filmed! anyways I promised a photo of two 'Christines in dressing gowns' so I am requesting Mlle Musique to post them. And if she would be so kind to also include the photo of me as a degas dancer??

also I have some photos of my opera box:
Hannibal: (missing a few people I think...LOL)
https://s346.photobucket.com/albums/p434/littlelotty004/?action=view&current=IMAG1767.jpg
Think of Me: (forgot to change the background )
https://s346.photobucket.com/albums/p434/littlelotty004/?action=view&current=IMAG1769.jpg

Those tabs are coming along nicely Anéa! I hope all this work means the finished products will be showcased in Las Vegas sometime later this year!

R.

phantomfett wrote:

phantomgirl110 wrote:That's GORGEOUS fabric! I want it, and I don't even have any reason for it.

Speaking of fabric...I haven't been able to find any more of what you requested, Bryan. I'll keep looking, but...

Don't sweat it, Mandy. I really only need small pieces of it. Any chance I can talk you into saving all of your scraps when you're making your new jacket? I can probably make what I need from a few good scrap pieces.

Absolutely. I would have offered that in the first place, but I had assumed you'd probably need it before I'll be done with my coat...knowing me, I'll probably finish it the night before my flight to Vegas!

phantomfett wrote:Actually, it was 48 panels with over 100 yards of piping total in the top of the costume....

...and who did you call sicko again?

phantomgirl110 wrote:

phantomfett wrote:

phantomgirl110 wrote:That's GORGEOUS fabric! I want it, and I don't even have any reason for it.

Speaking of fabric...I haven't been able to find any more of what you requested, Bryan. I'll keep looking, but...

Don't sweat it, Mandy. I really only need small pieces of it. Any chance I can talk you into saving all of your scraps when you're making your new jacket? I can probably make what I need from a few good scrap pieces.

Absolutely. I would have offered that in the first place, but I had assumed you'd probably need it before I'll be done with my coat...knowing me, I'll probably finish it the night before my flight to Vegas!

And there's nothing wrong with that!

Raphael wrote:Those tabs are coming along nicely Anéa! I hope all this work means the finished products will be showcased in Las Vegas sometime later this year!

R.

Thank you, Raphael! An eventual showcase there is up to the buyer, but I think the skirt will be done by the summer, and put online in July/August sometime. So time wise it's definitely plausible.

ETA: found awesome "stash" for the Elissa costume today; beads and square sequins in large tubes for approx. 50 cent each. The beads cost a bit more, but still under $1. Seriously awesome!

phantomfett wrote:Actually, it was 48 panels with over 100 yards of piping total in the top of the costume....

Hey! Speaking of Red Death sleeves, I'm going to an upcoming Convention with the theme "Villains," and I thought it would be awesome to do a Red Death costume. Well, it's coming along just fine, except for the sleeves, which I haven't figured out how to make to my satisfaction. I made a mock-up test, but I don't like it, and I haven't been able to find any helpful patterns or instructions so far. Anyone got any tips or advice? Especially phantomfett?

Do you have any pics of what you tried?

I just made mine up and ran with it. Of course, I was in a huge time crunch, so I didn't get to revise them before I wore the outfit in Vegas. A major overhaul of the sleeves is coming this year.

I don't have any good pictures, because I already started taking it apart, however, you can get the idea here:





Basically I used a pattern for a large puff sleeve and shortened it a little. I stuffed some polyfill in it to help it keep its shape, and I tacked some ribbons on to simulate those slashes, or whatever they are. But I'm wondering if the upper part of the sleeve should be less full, or should it be more like a roll? It's so hard to find a picture of the sleeves where they aren't covered up by the cape. And how do you make the slashed part? With individual strips? Or do you just take a sleeve and slash it? The pieces in the real thing seem pretty thick/heavy.

For anyone who's interested, here's a shot of what I've got so far. It's European style:

https://2img.net/h/i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd253/loettchen/Progress%20Pictures/rdwhole1.jpg

Loettchen wrote:I don't have any good pictures, because I already started taking it apart, however, you can get the idea here:

https://2img.net/h/i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd253/loettchen/Progress%20Pictures/rdsleeve1.jpg
https://2img.net/h/i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd253/loettchen/Progress%20Pictures/rdsleeve3.jpg

Basically I used a pattern for a large puff sleeve and shortened it a little. I stuffed some polyfill in it to help it keep its shape, and I tacked some ribbons on to simulate those slashes, or whatever they are. But I'm wondering if the upper part of the sleeve should be less full, or should it be more like a roll? It's so hard to find a picture of the sleeves where they aren't covered up by the cape. And how do you make the slashed part? With individual strips? Or do you just take a sleeve and slash it? The pieces in the real thing seem pretty thick/heavy.

The origin of this style (we're speaking late 15th century) would have one piece of fabric which was slashed, to reveal whatever was under. But in the 16th century one started to use individual strips of fabric to create the paned look. This was used in the 17th century as well, and it's what the Red Death costumes use, from what I can tell. Just to give you an idea of a historical costume (albeit here used in the "pluderhoses" and not the sleeves): http://realmofvenus.renaissanceitaly.net/workbox/extmenclo1.htm

Have a look at the Swiss guard costumes as well. Their uniforms have approx. the same style as the Red Death, although simplified (the latter has a more extravagant chevalier style): http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Swiss_Guard_2.JPG

I'm thinking the ribbons you're using are too thin. You need solid, stiff stuff to manipulate it into the shape you want/need. Preferably you should make it out of the fabric you're using for the rest of the bodice, maybe line it too, and pipe the endings. This will give you shapeable individual panels.

I don't know for sure how the sleeves for European versions are constructed, but I would make a whole sleeve before attaching the paned parts (the strips). I THINK the Danish ones had super long strips being folded twice at the shoulder to make the "shoulder roll", then once at the elbow to create the upper puff, and once at the lower arm before being narrowed and attached together. The US version of the costume have the various patterned strips "displaced" from upper to lower sleeve, while the Danish one continued from shoulder to wrist (but being narrower at the wrist). The latter is definitely easier to achieve with the undersleeve being finished. Two pictures:

DANISH SEMI-CLOSE-UP: https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/reiseaudun/designmasque/reddeathdm5.jpg

"DISPLACED" US STRIPS: https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/reiseaudun/designmasque/reddeathusorig.jpg

PS - looking super cool so far!

That last pic look suspiciously like one of my pics from San Antonio, Anea....

I stumbled across this photo in a blog where someone had visited theatrical a costuming workshop in New York where Broadway show costumes are made. Found this photo mislabeled as a costume from Mary Poppins.

Riiiiiight....

Enjoy, Wishing Dress Fans!



No other Phantom costumes in the blog, unfortunately.

~Madame~

phantomfett wrote:That last pic look suspiciously like one of my pics from San Antonio, Anea....

I asked you if I could use it, you silly thing!

And Madame Giry - waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! That picture is just too cool! Interesting to see that they're using a period technique to safe fabric, by using a less expensive substitute where the stripy blue one won't be seen. I suggested this for a Wishing gown maker some weeks ago, without knowing they actually did it in any stage costumes (my Hamburg Wishing gown has the same fabric all the way up). I *must* re-post this to her! Thanks a bunch for sharing. Do you have the link to that blog, by the way?

For anyone in need: cool black lacing boot, suitable for the Aminta costume, to a very fair price:
http://www.buycostumes.com/Victorian-Black-Patent-Boots-Adult/20070/ProductDetail.aspx

operafantomet wrote:

phantomfett wrote:That last pic look suspiciously like one of my pics from San Antonio, Anea....

I asked you if I could use it, you silly thing!

Sorry. Old age is setting in.... Getting ready to start on Red Death modifications soon. Wish me luck!

operafantomet wrote:
And Madame Giry - waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! That picture is just too cool! Interesting to see that they're using a period technique to safe fabric, by using a less expensive substitute where the stripy blue one won't be seen. I suggested this for a Wishing gown maker some weeks ago, without knowing they actually did it in any stage costumes (my Hamburg Wishing gown has the same fabric all the way up). I *must* re-post this to her! Thanks a bunch for sharing. Do you have the link to that blog, by the way?

For anyone in need: cool black lacing boot, suitable for the Aminta costume, to a very fair price:
http://www.buycostumes.com/Victorian-Black-Patent-Boots-Adult/20070/ProductDetail.aspx

*rummages through her browsing history* Ah-hah!
http://designformommies.blogspot.com/2008/06/glimpses-of-new-york-city-costumes.html

Glad you like the pic, Anea! I instantly thought of you when I saw it (while laughing at its misidentification).

And, d'oh! Those awesome boots have gone out of stock!

~Madame~

Thanks, Anéa! That was all super helpful! Exactly what I needed. I am going to take your advice and make the whole base sleeve first, so we'll see how that turns out.

Madame Giry, that picture is an awesome find.