I have always loved the unusual.
Intriqued by both the "Dark" and the "Light" and so I have created The Goblins as if they were gorgeous, unpredictable, dangerous, friendly and to the human eye... unseen.
For the first costume, (GOBLINS) I decided that living in the deepest part of the forest, meant that you had most likely put your clothes together from objects and materials you had found along the forest floor. I wanted to add the textures of raw materials, and I didn't want it to have a "costume" appearance.
I created the first layer, pants, as the anchor. I chose a bronze color taffeta, that had a velvet "bug" at the front pleat. I loved the color, which was earthy and the bug...for humor! I created a boot called a "Goblug".
The boot is made from a heavy moss green colored suede and lined with a violet material. Folding the lining over, there a deepening of the layers and the boot adds bulk to the slender leg of the doll. I liked that.
Next, I designed a "swing" style top. It had a deep chocolate bodice and violet color combination and I cut a low, v-neck and sleeveless cut. I cut the neck to accommodate the multi-layered neck piece that I hand made. I wanted to design a neck piece that combined, little objects, pieces of feathers, metal objects and things that "sparkled" All these things created a raw but beautifully layered neck piece that balances her bulk in the boots.
Next, her skirt. If you like what I am describing, then you too would want to wear this skirt! It's a peaceful green, not quite emerald and not really a moss. It looks as if its woven, and the design is very loose. A modern knit pattern. I then hand cut a piece of quality brown leather, twisted and sewed it onto the hip area of the skirt and sewed a copper adornment in the front. It fits over the pants and snaps into place. On the hem I have hand sewn silk threads from Nepal. It gives the hem a raw, natural finish.
Lastly...the cape. There will of course be many versions on the cape as it plays an important part in my story.
This version, is a circular shape. It is lined, and the beautiful emerald green taffeta with copper design pattern, blends with the trees in the forest! It has a dull, grey chenille top layer and then a hand cut leather piece layered on top of it. There are two arm straps inside the cape, which keep it securely anchor to the arms of the doll.
In designing this costume, I didn't want to re-create something I had seen or remembered, rather I was letting my imagination design what I imagined Goblins might where from a new point of view.
Remembering their unpredictable nature, there wild imaginations, trickery and possibly dangerous personalities, I wanted to design a costume that was both beautiful, over powering and multi-layered. Of course there would be the HEAD PIECE!
Each head piece is created from natural elements as well as dyed feathers, ribbons, hand twisted paper flowers and tree twigs. The crowns are all hand made and the pieces are lined.
These Goblins costumes allow for as variety of different possibilities. You can pose her with the complete outfit, or remove the skirt, remove the cape, take off her boots, keep the skirt on and take off the pants...and on and on.
I love the fact that as the story unfolds, you can change the costuming and yes....I will be designing additional pieces that will can eventually add to your costume or embellish it with further. Yum!
