Esmeralda (Hunchback of Notre Dame)
In the Disney adaption of Victor Hugo's novel, Esmeralda is displayed as a kind, caring and independent gypsy woman, brilliant and witty, always willing to help
those in need, mostly those cast out by the late medieval society in Paris, such people as the bell ringer Quasimodo or the gypsies she has grown up with, making them accepted by the townsfolk as
human beings with rights. This is not too far from the original, but Disney did well to spare everyone her snooty, very selfish side, which would have lessened her value as a role model to the
younger audience.
Unlike in the novel, among many other characters that are meant to die, she survives in the movie. The grand sacrifice of realistic drama, for the wealth of
children.
Costume Info
For a long while I was torn between believing that AkiCon in Graz would be my first Cosplay Convention ever - if even O^O - but then something
happened I would have never guessed:
Mum and I were at a Cadillac Meet the other Sunday(where we won a day with the new Cadillac *_*). And while driving home, we discussed the plans for the following
weekend. So I just randomly blabbered about "there being a convention in Schwechat". And she said -
"Okay! We'll go there!" And I was like O_____________O Is she kidding?
No, she wasn't.
And I had no costume.
So I sat there in the car, pondering for hours while we drove home, when it suddenly clicked.
"Rather simple patterns. You have a fitting wig. She was one of your childhood heroines. GO FOR IT!!!!"
Next day, I went to the fabric store. Spent about 3 hours there, just to be absolutely sure about the materials. lol
Now, there's a strict rule that says "NEVER START WITH YOUR COSPLAY 3 DAYS BEFORE THE CON!!!" Well, 5 days are way too short too. XD
But I did it! COMPLETELY FROM SCRATCH! Skirt! Underskirt! Cloth! Hairband! Blouse! I'm glad I had made fitting bracelets and an anklet ages ago. -.-
I was exhausted, unnerved, had a huge lack of sleep, food - and tea, and I didn't get the corset done, but I went with one of my belts and it was fine.
To make you stop wondering what this is actually about:
It was AniNite, in Schwechat, a 3 days con.
I was there on Saturday(and due to problems with our car only half of the day, so we missed all the good stuff), but it was great
fun!
More photos of me in the costume at the convention can be found in "Events".
Costume Status
~ FINISHED ~
Time Exposure:
- Blouse: 14h
- Skirt: 10h
- Underskirt: 15h
- Hairband: 2h
- Bracelets: 7h
- Foot ring: 1h30
- Cloth: 5h
- Corset: 12h
- Wig: 3h
Total: 69h30
Costs:
- Fabrics and braiding: 105,82€
- Wig: 21,90€
- Tamburine: 18€
- Earrings: 7,95€
- Korsett: 25€
Total: 178,67€
AniNite 2014, Saturday August 30th, Multiversum, Schwechat(Austria)
AkiCon 2018, Oktober 14th, Seifenfabrik, Graz (Austria)
Photogallery: Esmeralda - Progress
Bracelets
The bracelets I used for my Esmeralda costume. Made them ages ago, just for a try. I find it interesting that I tend to have great uses for crap as well. XD
Hairband
Blouse
Just got out of bed. :P Not really, but it's time to wash yards and yards of fabric. Currently cuddling with six of them. lol
Not the best photo of me. But what to expect at midnight. lol Completely made Esmeralda's blouse from scratch, without any use of tutorials. I used an off-the-shoulder t-shirt and a traditional blouse as reference and modified the templates to my liking.
Underskirt
The massive underskirt of my Esmeralda costume. It can only be seen when I lift the main skirt - or when I spin. You can see me spinning here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAvZmaXw6fo
Skirt
What you see in the corner above is actually the cloth's fabric
plus the lace ribbon for the underskirt.
In case you wonder why I used a pink zip - I wanted it.....
OKAY! I confess. I forgot to buy one, but couldn't effort wasting time to go looking for a matching one. And all I found at home was a bunch of black ones, white ones, dark blue ones, beige ones
- and that. So, since I knew where I would find a fitting button in between the hundreds of different buttons we have, I decided to - be artistic. lol Esmeralda won't kill me. And under the cloth
no one can see it.
Plus, should I wear the skirt out of cosplay, it's a nice dash of colour. ^^
The skirt falls perfectly and looks so lovely when spinning around too.
Cloth
The infamous cloth of
Esmeralda. I was really shocked when I ironed that fabric the first time because it turned sort of pinkish. XD But once it had cooled down, everything was fine again.
And although I didn't take any measurements; only for making the edges equally long; the braid fitted along as though I had calculated it. XDDD
The - uh - badges? I mean, that clinking metal stuff is still missing, but never mind.
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