Angel Sanctuary

Though I needed an excuse to make a new pair of wings, it was also fortuitous I wanted to make another Alexiel, as wearing her is always so nostalgic. When my friend Eve mentioned doing a group at Katsucon 2013, I found the perfect excuse. Overall, I’m extremely happy with the construction of the wings and getting them to look realistic but reasonable to transport. So many thanks to Lionel Lum for making the Nanatsusaya “7 bladed” sword, there were quite a few jokes we made about it.

Bearing few usable reference images of her in final chapter of the manga, I had to improvise and take artistic liberties such as guessing the colors and cut. The bodice and skirt were patterned by me using the wrong side of an otherwise sparkly tan polyester to break up the white on white monotony. Due to the simple design, per usual, I added small embellishments like appliques to the skirt and embroidered designs to the sleeves. Her absurd wire necklace was made with jewelry wire. Gloves and boots were pre-owned. The wig was $12 wig on Ebay from China that I styled to look much more expensive. The wings were a trial and error experience using techniques from my previous FFVIII Siren – a base of thick gauge copper wire, embroidery floss netting mesh, polyester batting, and 2 lbs of turkey rounds all hand trimmed by me. They are worn via thick elastic straps that wrap around the underbust of a bra without need of shoulder straps or a stabilizing corset, and disconnect at the joints into 3 parts through hidden industrial Velcro under the feathers. Thus they are at maximum only 5 lbs, withstand convention wear and tear, and collapse to fit in my suitcase. 
Lionel is a total doll and made my Nanatsusaya crystal sword from thick layers of clear vinyl.