in progress: Ming the Merciless
I've been working on a version of Ming the Merciless that was to be loosely based on the movie Flash Gordon. The first thing to do was a sketch that would get the feeling of the film Ming across without infringing on the original artist's work.
I went with a one piece robe in with a belted waist and pleated back. The belt passes through slots on the sides leaving the back free to fall into a two foot train.
The next step was to develop the pattern for the robe. The muslin mock-up shown here was cut apart and the upper body was altered to fit the stand-up collar that had to go around the collar on the robe. You can see here the front facing doubles as the padding in a tailored jacket, the sleeve modifications, and the pleats in the back that give shape to the train.
The collar in it's beginning stage and the robe neckline re-cut to fit it.
The robe during construction. Here you can see the back pleating and train.
The completed costume with belt, cuffs and collar.