I've been a costumer for as long as I can remember. Even in Kindergarten there are pictures me in "dress ups". The earliest costume I can remember making was a horror costume (of course!). I had a black cape and pseudo Lugosi type clothes. On my hands I had blue dishwashing gloves that had long orange fingernails glued to them (made from an orange juice bottle). My face was also blue. In the centre of my forehead I had a half a ping-pong ball that had been made to look like an eye. Around the edge of the "eye" was a blue plasticine "eyelid".
Not bad for a seven year old! My mum still has a photo of this around somewhere. If I can find it I may even put it on this page.
I've certainly not given it away since then. Through High School drama classes to Star Trek fandom (it's okay, I got better) and on to my involvement with the Australian Costumers' Guild as well as the fashion side of the Goth scene.
I must say though that I'm a bit slack when it comes to making costumes. Sure I'll do it but I think I enjoy the actual wearing more than the making. So if there's a way I can wear what I have in mind without having to make a costume for it I'm usually keener on that idea than the one that would involve me making something from scratch. This is not always an option however.
I used to be fairly active in The Australian Costumers' Guild until the Melbourne chapter died through lack of people. There's a large active chapter in Adelaide but apathy seems to have overtaken Melbourne costumers.
Me as Saint-Germain
from the 1994 Gothic Ball
(The red contacts were a real hit)
Upcoming projects
Soldier of the English Civil Wars
Taminick military encampment
2004
Buccaneer
For a Melbourne Buccaneers lunch
2004
Prussian Leib Hussar 1813
As made by Karen for 2003
Swinburne Parade
