Category: Video Game

Inspiration:

I ADORE SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI. The game series itself is fantastic, but Kazuma Kaneko's character designs are heaven (or hell) for a costumer. So intricate and original! I want to do several more MegaTen costumes, but this was my first attempt. The cyber-geisha presented numerous problems - problems that took two years and countless attempts to solve. The end result was hard-won and painful to wear - truly, it was "Eternal Punishment." However, I am pleased with the end product and the costume's reception. ^_^

Favorite Aspect:

The headdress. It went through so many incarnations, but I'm happy with the final one. I think the man at the vaccuum repair shop hates me, though. ^^;

For the record, I could see out of the visor, but not terribly well.

Least Favorite Aspect:

Incredibly painful to wear. =(

Easiest Task:

Nothing about this costume was easy.

Hardest Task:

Probably the wig. Maia's hair looks like one continuous piece of shiny vinyl. After several different attempts, I ended up making a wire mesh wig and covering it with duct tape, electrical tape, and vinyl (which had to be secured to the metal base with straight pins). This (surprisingly heavy) monstrosity was then secured to my head with velcro and a chinstrap. The chopsticks were secured to the wig with nuts and lots of hot glue, and the visor section then rested on top of that.

Awards:

Best Individual at AWA 8 - 2002