By Philip Odango of Canvas Cosplay. All photos by With an H Media
Inspired by the art direction of the late Eiko Ishioka in Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 from "Bram Stoker's Dracula," where the costumes are the set, I sought to interpret the visual storytelling into a cosplay using materials and tools available at JOANN Fabric and Crafts. This cosplay would have multiple pieces to be assembled, each with their own requirements.
Sponsored by
Preparation Work
Dragon Robe Measurements and Flat Patterning
My cascading train made from 15 yards of Casa Collection satin in the color Tango Red from @joann_stores. The train itself is 15ft long and 13.5ft wide. I hand-pleated the 13.5ft width down to 22 inches for the shoulder to shoulder width.
ALL PATTERNS ARE BY PHILIP ODANGO
Dragon Robe Fabric Choices
Sewn with a SINGER Sewing Machine
Dragon Insignia/Emblem Vector for Cricut and Embroidery
Using the original design has a reference, I traced using Illustrator and Photoshop to create into a vector file that can be used for Cricut and embroidery. Using the Cricut Design Space and a Cricut Joy, I used iron-on metallic gold vinyl to die-cut the design, and used the Cricut Mini Press to iron on the design to the fabric.
This file can be used directly with Cricut Design Space and machines, or can be imported into embroidery software and digitized.
Wig Fabrication
The original hair designer for the movie is Michele Burke. I used a multi-phased approach to constructing Dracula's wig, knowing that I did not want to wear a bald cap. This meant that the forehead would sit at my natural forehead hairline.
Started with a cardboard pattern that fit the top curvature of my head
Transferred pattern to Yaya Han 10mm EVA foam
Cut EVA foam using FISKARS PowerCut Shears
Created a foundation structure using strips of EVA foam
Built up the dimension using Fairfield World Project Foam and Poly-fil Batting
Hand-mixed 4 different tones of synthetic hair fibers
Applied hair fibers using The Gorilla Glue Company glue sticks and Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive
Used PlaidFX acrylic paint to create lowlights and highlights
Sealed the stray hairs and overall shape with Rust-oleum Clear Coat Spray
PROJECT CREDITS
Sponsored by JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores @joann_stores
Character: Dracula, from Bram Stoker’s Dracula, portrayed by Gary Oldman
Costume and wig created by me: Canvas by Philip Odango @canvascosplay
Original costume design: Eiko Ishioka
Original hair design: Michèle Burke @micheleburke_mua
Photography: With an H Media @withanhmedia
Video/Production Assistant: Sarah Storminger @stormy_n_nox
Location: Chrysler Museum of Art @chryslermuseum
Featured products and tools available at JOANN:
Sewing: Singer Sewing Company Featherweight @singersewingcompany
Wig structure: Fairfield World Project Foam and Poly-fil @fairfieldworld
EVA foam: @CosplayFabrics@YayaHan
Wig adhesives: The Gorilla Glue Company spray and glue sticks @thegorillagluecompany
Cutting tools: Fiskars @fiskarsamerica
Paint: PlaidFX @plaidfx
Sealant: Rust-Oleum Clear Coat @rustoleum
Die-cut machine: Cricut Joy and gold foil vinyl @officialcricut
Hair fibers: Manhattan Beauty Supply @manhattanbeauty101
Makeup: @Mehronmakeup Paradise Makeup AQ
