Brief: My nephews asked for bat costumes, and they needed to be easily cleaned, sturdy, comfortable, and able to 'grow' along with the kids for a while. Thus the wings are detachable, and so are the fur pelts.
Inspiration: Actual bats (left) and 19th century masquerade costumes (right)
Realisation: Store-bought school uniform items of trousers, shoes and sweatshirt. Wings constructed from satin quilted with layers of blanket and calico, stiffened with wide plastic boning. Fake fur for pelt on sweatshirt and shoes. Store-bought hats, with bats ears constructed from leather and interlining.
Brief: One nephew wanted a Count Dracula costume and the other one wanted to be a Pirate Captain. the costumes had to be versatile, unique, and immediately recognisable.
Inspiration:
Pirate Captain: Classic Howard Pyle art for the Pirate Captain, and a combination of the 'Hollywood' idea of pirates with actual historical period clothing.
Count Dracula: Classic Bela Lugosi style of Dracula, with a hint of the film adaptation of Interview with a Vampire: a late18th century feel rather than 19th/early 20th.
Realisation: The Count Dracula costume consists of linen shirt, lace jabot, velvet vest, black and red-lined satin cape, black breeches. Cloak and waistcoat are lined.
