Woodland vampire
Rather than the typical vampire styled after human culture, I took a different approach. After a few hundred years you wouldn't really connect with humans anymore so this creature definitely feels more beast-like; uninhibited, not guilt-ridden, and very connected to nature.
Inspiration
I'm a darker person than I'd like to admit. This was my first time working with Bill Davidson and I knew he liked to do dark photoshoots so I figured I'd let that part of myself free for once. I decided to create a new character - a vampire. I chose a vampire because I wanted to wear my teeth but, rather than the typical vampire styled after human culture, I took a different approach. After a few hundred years you wouldn't really connect with humans anymore so this creature definitely feels more beast-like; uninhibited, not guilt-ridden, and very connected to nature. This is something that would remain constant in a vampire's lifetime.
Production
I pulled out all the furs I own to make this a very animal-inspired outfit. The white fur is sheepskin, the small cat-like prints are dyed rabbit fur, and the large skirt is made from a faux fur bedspread. Because my crinolines were in-use in a theatre production, I wore my Zombie Queen garbage bag dress underneath all this to make it bigger - this costume uses her corset as well. The feathers, flowers, necklaces, and belts are a part of my regular wardrobe, and I do occasionally wear this many at once! Most of the jewellery and the belts were either gifts or second-hand store steals, so I can't give you more sources. The wig is from Grace Ottawa and is one of the few blonde wigs that I feel really works with my skin tone.
Application
I wanted the makeup to be very tribal and bright, and I wanted to use the red colour that appears in my contacts elsewhere. However, I had to put on the makeup at the studio (I can't wear contacts for long enough to have it all done beforehand) so I had to go simpler than what I was originally hoping for. I'm using my NARS red lipstick which is probably my favourite lipstick ever.
My eye and skin makeup has been heavily contoured and blended.
The flowers, fur and feathers in my hair were also assembled in-studio - I just kept pinning them onto the wig until I used them all up.
The photoshoot
In total the costume took about 4 hours to plan and assemble materials the night before, and about 2.5-3 hours to put on, partially in the morning and the rest in studio. Bill did some amazing things with a smoke machine, (as you can see) and I had a helpful victim step in for a couple of shots!
Photos by WMD Photography.
Bill's studio is in Smiths Falls, so I had to work around driving there, and you certainly can't get in a car dressed like this, let alone drive! That was a challenge.
