Whatever your thoughts are on the live-action Maleficent film released by Disney last year, you can probably agree that the costumes were lovely. Anna Biedrzycka-Sheppard infused each ensemble with texture and presence, and I particularly admire the way she incorporated nature and earthy tones into Maleficent’s attire. One of the villain’s most sweeping ensembles was the gown she wore to Aurora’s christening. The robes and dress were so much more than merely plain black fabric.
Cosplayer Annisse used references from the film to make a replica of Maleficent’s christening gown. She even replicated the pleated look of the fabric by hand. She explains on The Replica Props Forum (RPF):
It took me around 3 months, off and on, to complete. I designed the horns, sculpted the side hip adornments, staff lights up and was modified, my gown and train are made of 50 yards black silk which I hand pleated to reflect the screen used gown by method of Shibori. A new technique to add to my costume design knowledge plate. Very satisfied with these results.
She explained a little more about the Shibori technique on Costume Works:
The gown and train were created from black silk and hand pleated by method of Shibori. Shibori is a Japanese technique where the silk is rolled one yard at a time after iron on fusing was added to it, wrapped around a PVC pipe, string is them wrapped around the fabric, the fabric is then pushed down the pipe with the string holding the pleats now in place and finally hot boiling water is poured over the fabric. When it air airs the pleating remains permanent.
I did this method 50 times. The gown and train are 50 yards of silk Shibori in total.
See more of Annisse’s cosplay projects at DeviantArt.