GOTH GIRL
I designed and built this costume in July 1996 for an outting at
a Seattle nightclub on August 17, 1996. This nightclub (the
Catwalk) is the hangout for Seattle's "goth" community,
and thus I thought it would be fitting to go in an all-black
shiny lycra bodysuit with exposed cleavage, thigh-high black
boots, a full-head latex mask, and black wig. Needless to say, it
made quite an impression.
Even though the nightclub was
dark and it was hard to see, I and my friends made their way to
the bar in the back. Another crossdresser sat next to me and
asked, "Are you hot in that?" It wasn't too bad. During
the night, a number of people came over to admire my outfit,
particularly my mask. One fellow said, "When I first saw you
at the bar I thought you were a mannequin!" After keeping a
chair warm for nearly two hours, I decided to take to the dance
floor, even though I had to be lead through the crowd by a friend
of mine. Trying to dance in five-inch heels is a bit of an art,
and perhaps one I needs a bit more practice in! Nevertheless, it
was fun to shake my boogie a bit in front of everyone. I highly
recommend going out, especially if you can find the appropriate
venue and some friends to go with you. It was a blast!
How it
was done: I started with her basic sewing lycra bodysuit
pattern (see Sew Your Own
for more
details) but left the front seam open. The material used is black
cire (pronounced "sir-RAY"), commonly known as
"wet-look" lycra. I specially order this from Jehlor
Fantasy Fabrics in Seattle (206-575-8250) by the bolt (10 yards @
$14 per yard). This is great stuff and makes any outfit look
terrific. The cleavage are latex breasts, a product called
"The Treasure Chest" available from Best
Value Products for $57 (inc.
tax and shipping). The boots were purchased in England from a TV
Specialty shop in London. The latex mask was made from scratch
and detailed by me. To reflect a "gothic" look for the
skin, white paint was mixed with the latex. The eyes and features
were then painted on afterwards (I see through itty-bitty holes
in the eyes). The wig and earrings are off-the-rack items.
Also, check out the outfit I wore to the Catwalk for 1997.
Photos by Lauren
