FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
1830s Crowley from Good Omens
Outline the story …
"Good Omens" is a fantastic book by Neil Gaiman and Crowley is one of the main characters. He's a fallen angel who was the snake who tempted Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. He's been on earth for centuries, and has seen many fashions. I've got a soft spot for the fun and very extra fashions of the 1830s and when I came across this plaid that matched a light version another costumer has, I thought it might be fun to potentially do a collaborative historical cosplay with her (she's done something else for the competition so it's a future thing). My main inspiration for the decorative flame/feather elements and bows were from an 1830 fashion plate, and the hair is designed to resemble an apple tree with a snake intertwined in its branches. My bonnet when going incognito mimics the trim on the dress, with the interior brim bows that are common on many fashion plates. I've also always wanted a pair of realistic-ish feather wings, and while not as big as I might have wanted, they're still fantastically fun.
Outline the construction…
Silk aside from cotton lining/some trim. Since it's not a symmetrical plaid I had to cut the entire bodice twice, and the side back panels 3 times, and the plaid matching still isn't as perfect as I wanted. Thankfully piping helps hide the sins. I love the sleeves, the lower and upper sections are cut on the bias with the wider stripe angling down towards center front, same as the bodice. The poofs are lined with a stiff netting to cheat and keep them floofy, and hand basting was used on sleeves and bodice to flatline all the things. It's front closing with alternating hooks and bars, lightly boned, and the gold bows are hand finished and tacked open. The black ribbon is hand sewn on, and snakes that were hand cut were glued in alternating poses and mirrored. The flame/feather bits have one edge machined and then hand gathered and tacked onto the dress.
The bonnet is a wire trash bin I modified, with everything attached by hand. The apple tree hair piece is made with wire, a cheap wig, and hot melt glue. The apples are made with model magic, and the snake is made with wire and the same snake print/texture trim used on the snakes on the dress.
The chemisette is hand sewn aside from the 2 shoulder seams, with vintage lace.
The wings are silk with glued on feathers, that open and close.
The corset is a wearable mockup of the Ballerina from theboudoirkey.
This is SO much fun, and the WINGS 😀 Fabulous work!
Oh. My. Goodness. This is fantastic! All the details are stunning – you’ve done Crowley proud!
Yessss!!! This made me incredibly happy.
Amazing! You really look like you stepped out of a fashion plate. The sleeves, the bows, the back, so great.
This is absolutely crazy and I love it. I love the 1830s so much.
Great fun. I love the folding wings. Brilliant!
What a delightful and whimsical creation! The wings are so cool!
Fabulously over the top! Without such an attention to detail, it could have become over-whelming, but instead, with your care, it’s just perfect!
Completely stunning! I love that you took the time to make the back panel perfectly symmetrical, it’s such a lovely touch! I also based my entry on Good Omens and I’m proud to be amongst such a creative, talented maker!
There are so many details in this, at first glance you might not even see them but upon further investigation you see all the thought you put into the design. beyond that this is just stunning.
Gorgeous work and the wings, you look like you are having a huge amount of fun with them!
AAAHHHH! Those wings ALONE would have been amazing, but everything — EVERYTHING — about this is amazing!! The pattern matching on the back of the bodice, the perfect puffing on the sleeves, the use of the bows and trims — just WOW!!
Wow, what details! This is deliciously over-the-top!
This is among the most charming costumed that I have ever seen. It makes me smile and I return to it again and again.
That is amazing and I love it and it is 100% Crowley!
I absolutely adore this!! It’s gorgeous and I love that the wings move with it as well!
Ooooh delightful little snakies !
How very fun! I always think people who pattern match are brave– I’d rather custom paint a pattern than match it in cutting, I’m so nervous of it. I adore your tree hair and love your details. Well done!
Oh my gosh I love this!! You’ve fully embraced the 1830’s in the best way, my favorite is the snake on the bonnet- brilliant!
Beautiful work!! I love all the unique details, so perfect!
The 1830’s is such a fun shape and your smile captures that fun so perfectly! I adore the bows.
This is so wonderful and whimsical! <3 That headpiece is everything
This is wonderful! I love your interpretation of Crowley.