Amneris, the Cruel Queen

Sakura Taisen V

Okay, how do I explain this one.... hmmm.

In Sakura Taisen, part of what the fighting team does when not kicking butt in mechas is put on productions, Takarazuka style. In Sakura Taisen V, one of the plays is AIDA (A Song for Kingdoms), based on the opera, not the modern musical.

Now, stick with me here, because this is where it gets a little wierd. This is Rachette playing Amneris in Aida. When the Takarazuka Hoshigumi did Aida last year, my favorite Musumeyaku, Rei Dan, played Amneris. Win win win, yes?

OBVIOUSLY, someone at SEGA saw this Takarazuka production because Amneris' dress is virtually the same only a little toned down (would YOU want to animate all those rhinestones frame by frame?).

I put all thoughts of doing the full on Takarazuka version because there's these metal bits on Rei Dan's skirt (where the teal is in this picture) that cost about $2.50 each. There's easily over a thousand on the skirt alone, OUCH!

Here's where it comes full circle- I decided to make the Sakura Taisen V design but with Takarazuka elements. It still went over budget, oi oi oi. The front flap is covered in embroidery and beads beads beads. See the bottom of the front flap? at the very bottom are real faceted citrine briolettes. They have been in my bead box for a couple years and I figured why not, there's no way this could get any more bling-y right? Somehow I fear that if I'm outside and the sun hits the corset just right, it will produce a death ray like a magnifying glass over a line of ants.

MONDO MEGA FUN FACT- The pope hat is made from Fosshape from Cosworx. It makes a great base for hats and even breathes nicely.It was covered in gold Lycra and decorated with the brooches you see. The beads are all things that will be available at Cossworx soon. Seriously, though. Foss= YAY HATS

The upper arm bands are embroidered with random Heiroglyphs. They say "It's time for beer". Hey, I found it FUNNY.

Okay, 'cept the necklace. It is real turquoise. Okay, MOSTLY real- it is resin stabilized. Now you know why I went over budget XD~~~~.

The wig is TINA 950 in color 24b from CosWorx. The little side layer was razored in by me and the bangs layered slightly.