Anna Valerious – Van Helsing

Made for: San Diego Comic Con 2004

Background: Saw promo pics of this before the movie came out and HAD to make it immediately!

Journal Entries: Read more at my Anna Valerious tag

Related Costumes: Selene

Patterns Used:
Simplicity 5799, McCalls 2551

Corset:

First, I decided I wanted a good corset, so I found one similar online and bought it. I added the leather straps to the front it – they are attached permanently on one side and velcro on the other, and have nailheads glued on at each end. The buckles in the center were the closest I could find – they were originally concave, so I hammered them flat and sewed them onto the straps. The panels on either side I made of faux leather, sewed buttons and attached nailheads onto, and then sewed that onto the corset.

Shirt/Pants:

The shirt I made using a peasant blouse pattern, just widening the sleeves. I lightly dyed it in tea to give it an aged look. The designs for the shirt were created by Kent – I heat transferred them to the shirt. I bought a pair of riding breeches online.

Boots:

Reused my Urd boots and made boot covers from the ankle up out of black suede (to match the boots) – they velcro in place onto the pants. I bought plastic rings and painted them gold, then sewed tabs down the side of each boot cover to hold each ring in place. The necklaces I made out of various pieces I already had.

Jacket:

For the jacket, I bought velvet and dyed it slightly darker. It is lined in black fabric, with red piping along the edge. The most difficult part were the designs on the jacket. The braid I made out of 3 different braids layered on top of each other, then I pinned that on in the shape of the designs and sewed it on. The thickness of the braids made it hard to get any sharp points in the design, so I just got as close as I could.

Wig

Originally, I just curled my own hair when I wore this but that was a PAIN. So in 2005, I decided it was time to stop doing that to myself and get a wig. I bought a curly wig off ebay, wore it once at MidsouthCon 2005, and never again. I hated how it looked. But when I decided to get this costume back together and shoot it on the white backdrop in 2016, I thought I’d see if I could revive it. It was a frizzy mess! I got the tangles out as best I could, rolled it up in soft curlers, dunked it in boiling water, and let it set overnight. He result was not perfect, but MILES better than what it started out as. Some progress pics are below.

History:

Sadly the vinyl/faux leather I used in places is coming apart, so it’s not in the best state anymore. Anytime I get it out, it sheds all over the place. I did do a white backdrop shoot in 2016 so at least I have it documented before I have to start replacing parts.

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Please note that none of these costumes are for sale! This is my personal portfolio.