Embedded Files
Its time for another CTA, lunies, and today we're going to complete the twin set we started with Mio and finish with her sister Mayu. 8D HOORAY. Additionally, there may be plot spoilers here. Be warned.
Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly was considered by fans (hooray for unsubstanciated factoids) a favorite, a game that has enjoyed one director's cut on the X-Box and is looking to see a remake on the Wii soon (allegedly). What does that mean for the rest of us joes out there in the survival horror community? A whole new generation of Zero fans of course (considering the last game to make it stateside was the third installment Fatal Frame 3:The Tormented/Voice of the Tattoo).
Perhaps its the twins angle, I don't know, but what I do know is that the costumes for Mio and Mayu are striking and unique, with their matching motifs and color schemes. The Amakura Twins are best cosplayed in pairs, of course, but that doesn't mean you can't do either costume by itself (nor is it a crime to mix and match; Mio and Sae, or Mayu and Sae, Mio and Yae, etc).
As was mentioned in the first CTA with Mio, if you do intend to do both these costumes in a pair, it would be best to shop for the materials for both costumes together, so that they share the same fabric and material (lace, ribbons, etc). This way, you achieve the identical twin look in the overall construction of the set.
Today's subject of the CTA, as mentioned, is Mayu, Mio's older sister/twin. While Mio is outgoing and proactive, Mayu is more mousey, clingy and dependent, both because of her outward and natural quite nature and her injury (which will come up soon as a detail. Many of her poses (when you consider posing for pictures) are pulled in, usually with clasped hands or cowering (behind your sister, if she's available). So let's get started, top to bottom.
First, let's look at hair styles. I didn't really have a chance to go over it on Mio's page, but we can do this now.
Notice the slight difference. Mio (left) has a slight part in her bangs on the right side. They fall very gently at an angle away from the part. Her hair also seems to have layers, which flare at the ends slightly.
Mayu (right) on the other hand, does not have a part in her bangs. While both girls have layers in their bangs, Mayu's hair seems more straight cut, and does not flare out like Mio's.
These small details are very useful in pair cosplaying, though it can be done in singles.
Mayu's dress is a one-piece, contrasting with Mio's multilayered outfit. Mayu's dress has similar motifs to Mio's outfit, from the lace bottom to the red ribbon accent, to the use of black and white with brown.
There are two pieces to Mayu's dress, the sleeveless brown jumper and the black blouse. We'll start with the jumper. The material is the same as Mio's shirt, and should be of a weighty material, so that it hangs and drapes well. In the picture at left, the cut implies that it has a bit of flounce and give. But the game's rendered art (in-game and FMVs) will show the dress hugging the legs, a tighter cut.
Either approach to the material and cut is acceptable, but generally you might want to stick with the closer or tighter cut, as seen in the game's rendering. See below.
Click for bigger pic.
The collar is nearly identical to Mio's, in that it is a square cut, that dips in a small v-shape at the center. This has a white piping that goes all around the collar. The difference here, however, is that it does not have a lace ruffle like her sister's. The collar is also squared off in the back. This is just like Mio's only not as wide. See below.
The red ribbon that sits at the bottom of the v-cut is red and butterfly shaped (identical to Mio's). It has wide bottoms, like the bottom wing potions of a butterfly, while the loop is doubled, adding to the butterfly design. This double loop can be achieved in any number of ways, so experiment. I've personally used a paper rope for stability and stiffness for my own ribbon, with the downside that one must remove it before laundering. Whether you use ribbon structured with wire inside, paper rope, or elaborate sewing, the ribbon is an important detail.
Underneath this ribbon is a ruffle. This appears gathered from the middle so that it has little ruffles (very slight and subtle, see pic right). This piece runs down the middle of the dress below the breasts, probably maybe 3 inches or so. Renders will show this piece to be part of the piping, but its far easier to make it separate. It should be made of a slightly stiff material, so that it sits still on the chest (you may choose to sew the edges down to keep it from flopping. Note the shape, it has a VERY slight tip, rounding out at the bottom.
The bottom of the jumper is hemmed with lace, which mirrors Mio's lace on her skirt. It does not have a piping (nor do the edges of the sleeves/unsleeves). Again, if making the costumes in pairs, buy enough lace to hem both skirts and the collar of Mio's shirt. The lace appears to be a long and rounded triangled pattern. An alternate way of looking at this costume is that you can simply hem the bottom of the jumper (sans lace) and make a separate skirt/slip (identical to Mio's but of a lighter material) to wear underneath; if you look above, you can see how it appears the bottom of the skirt overlaps the top of the lace design. Its your choice, but most cosplayers choose to sew the lace onto the bottom rather than have a jumper and slip combo.
The dress should fall mid-thigh, just like Mio's skirt, or a bit longer, but made sure it never goes past the knees, since the bandage (more later) will hidden.
The blouse is the second part of the outfit. Its black, short sleeved and appears to be made with a lighter, cottony material (but should be thick enough to not be sheer, obviously). Buttons are optional, but don't appear to be used at all in the render of concept art, but if you choose a material that needs it, by all means, use it, but stick to black buttons to be subtle about it.
The sleeves are slightly puffed and rounded. This would be achieved by gathering at the sleeves and sewing into the main body of the shirt. If you can find a shirt that does it for you, then all the better!
The collar of the shirt is high, but close to the neck. It tapers off at an opening at the front of the neck. There is a very intricate lace pattern on the top of it. This can be best achieved by sewing lace into it.
The sleeves also have lace on the ends. Its a longer lace than the collar lace, which is thinner. The lace appears to have an X-shaped pattern. For best results of less chaffing, you might want to choose a lace that isn't as scratchy and could have lycra in it so that stretches and feels softer on the arms. The sleeves should end, lace included, at breast level, and never should be as long to cover the elbows.
On Mayu's right leg is the bandage that indicates where she broke her leg and became the invalid that will force you to constantly come to her rescue during the game. Don't worry, this portion of the game is actually more fun than you realize. 8D
The bandage is more often than not a white cotton bandage, but brown stretchy bandages are acceptable as well. It should be wrapped around the knee, but not so tight it actually begins to hurt you (I believe in suffering for your art and having accuracy but there are limits!).
Her knee socks are a brown color, and are just below the knee. They can be a bit sheer (like panty hose) or thicker cotton (see right). The bandage should and can overlap her sock on her right leg.
Mayu's boots are ankle length, and flat heeled. Made of black, more than likely leather, her boots also seem to have the zipper along the middle. Knee-high boots are too high, obviously, but it would be best to have the boots come up past the ankles a bit.
Unlike Mio's shoes, Mayu's seem a bit more heavy duty (leather versus canvas). Additionally, its preferable to have the zipper closure rather than a laced version.
And that's Mayu's costume! Simple as falling off a horse going 60 without harming yourself. Let's talk props.
Unfortunately, Mayu's choice in props are limited. Since Mio's the one who handles the day-to-day (or rather night-to-night) job of exorcising, Mayu wouldn't have the Camera Obscura. But for lack of having any props, it can be passable.
Really, the only other suggestion would be a crimson butterfly, perhaps one worn on the hand or even in the hair as a barrette.
But, that does lead me into the next possible addition to the costume: make-up. As this portion does contain a plot spoiler, please click HERE. Otherwise, do not click.
And that's Mayu! Hopefully that's given you some good ideas of how to tackle her outfit. If you're looking for the companion article for Mio, please click image right. ^^ Happy layering!
--Dio (10/03/10)
Some images come courtesy of Beyond the Camera's Lens (Promise Ending back shot). Other images from Gamespy and IGN.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse