I made this costume along with Haruka’s Masquerade Peacock for a faerie group gathering with Adella, Tristen Citrine & Yaya at Anime Expo 2004. I spent A LOT of time making this costume. The most time consuming part of the costume was making each one of the leaves on the top of the dress. I had to iron in a thin strip of wire between the fabric, top off each one with a pearl, and hands paint every vein. One of my favorite parts is the sea lily in my hair. I painted the flower and put a huge pearl in the middle of it. It reminds me of an old Japanese version of the little mermaid I saw when I was a child. In photos 4-16 I altered the bottom of the dress and paired it up with a different wig & make-up to accomplish a cute/flirty look. It’s always amazing how a few modifications can change the entire mood of a costume.
Model – Lillyxandra
Photographers – Kyle Johnsen & Mary Elam
I have that version of the little mermaid on VHS. I’ve watched it so many times that it barely plays now.