Zira, Planet of the Apes

[Jessica]

This is the closest fabric I have found for Zira's blouse, so I got 4 yards. I think it was only 40 inches from selvage to selvage.

It's not exact but the colors are there:

 

[Laffo]

Looks good Jess.
Laffo.

 

[duck]

God, I love this costume. And I especially love that you are doing an Escape version.

In a word: "METAL!"

 

[Jessica]

Today I received the child-sized gorilla foam latex appliances from Apemania. Thank you so much, Bri. He even threw in an extra appliance to practice with. Bri also gifted the children with their own General Ursus helmets (that I have to hide for now or the kids will make me put together General Ursus outfits for them). And for fun, Bri also gave the kids their own Cornelius plaques to paint. THANK YOU Apeman.

I'm going to make you so proud of us!!!

 

[Apollo]

Now THATS customer service! :thumbsup

 

[Jessica]

some quick photos:

By apecityoutfitter, shot with DSC-T90 at 2009-08-28

 

[The Wook]

Great-looking kid, Jessica! And it's cool to see a member of today's youngest generation loving Apes, the same as we did when we were kids.

I must say, you're a very cool mom. :thumbsup

The Wook

 

[Jessica]

It isn't the best looking pullover hood, but it does fit Ashton rather nicely without being overly snug. I figured it would be covered anyway with appliance and hair, so it didn't have to look so purty hence the green thread on black 4-way stretch spandex. Here is Ashton's gorilla appliance glued on top of the pullover with liquid latex. Good God I hope I glued on the right appliance...that it's really Ashton's and not Dylan's...hmmm...

Bri included the black Pax paint. (Thank you again, Bri!) It was real fun painting it up. Ashton was very happy to slouch around and walk like a gorilla in front of the mirror. Tomorrow I'll go over the black with some greys and browns so it doesn't look so solid black and so that it will photograph better...and I seriously have to think about applying the hair.

Good thing Dylan says he doesn't want to get dressed up as an ape for Halloween, because that just made my job 50% easier. He will get dressed up for Wondercon, but not Halloween. I'm not going to argue with that.

 

[Brianpettit]

Jessica,

Your costume is a thing of beauty. I love it.

It makes me want to start thinking about putting together my gorilla costume again. I haven't been on FOTA for A LONG TIME but now I want to get back on there and put one together. Thanks for the motivation!

Again. It is AWESOME.

Brian

 

[clayslinger]

some quick photos:

By apecityoutfitter, shot with DSC-T90 at 2009-08-28

Is everything you make this well done and adorable??? He just makes me smile!!
Beautiful work on your costume. I applaud the level of commitment to get things just right.

WELL DONE!!!!!

Chuck...

 

[Jessica]

This morning, when nobody was looking, I pulled on Ashton's pullover on top of my own head. If I cut the eye holes larger, the appliances don't look that bad! (because I'm petite...). Anyway, it was exciting to put on...makes me really want to get my ape on...and I'm leaning towards doing this again Friday before Halloween...

Which means I need to shampoo my wig and restyle it again...It's been so long since I have been under the goo and I'm craving it...

 

[Jessica]

This sucker is going to be harder than I thought. UGH!!!

 

[Jessica]

If I have energy and time left, I'm going to hide the edges of the hair with additional hair glued down by latex...kinda like what I did for Zira's sideburns.

No matter how heavy you spray down the hair, it gets messed up once you pull it over the head...so it looks like I'm going to have to "ape-pear" at Ashton's school to help him into the hood and also spray the hair down and manage it so it looks presentable.

 

[Jessica]

Hair is now done. I can work on his boot shafts that will go over the pants. I'm so excited about my little gorilla! The only thing is that the hair is bit fussy, so I told him he can't toss his head around like Michael Jackson. The back is just wee bit too wavy, but it's instantly recognizeable as Planet of the Apes. Thanks so much, Apemania!! I'm so happy with the kid-sized foam latex appliances you sent us.

 

[clayslinger]

OK, I think you are the coolest Mom, EVER!!!!!

You are making some great memories.

And the costume and mask rock too!!

All the best,
Chuck...

 

[Larry Young]

You did an amazing job! He must be so happy.

 

[NAZGÛL]

Thats really awesome! He must be so proud. I hope I can do something half as cool for my son when he gets older.

 

[lolo080]

eek:eek the best zira I ever seen since the movie
looks great and fantastic job on it :love :love :love

 

[Too Much Garlic]

How are these appliances painted? Latex paint? The gorilla face looks a little greyish in the pictures, is that intentional? I'd probably add a little brown. Can you do washes with latex paints or the paints you use?

 

[Jessica]

How are these appliances painted? Latex paint? The gorilla face looks a little greyish in the pictures, is that intentional? I'd probably add a little brown. Can you do washes with latex paints or the paints you use?

It's black pax as the main color underneath with a touch of brown rubber mask grease on top. I can add some more brown tonight if it's too grey now--

Couldn't find the right fabric color, so it will be what it is...Here is Ashton's bandolier. I'll just consider it a practice bandolier until I get the right colors...The fake leather pouches don't work--they are just some craft foam that I wrapped in some scrap piece of paper to get the basic shape, and then I covered that with fabric. I only sewed the edges of the bandolier--everything else was just glued together. I also had to slap together some fake buttons that will just have to do for now...Don't even have time to craft a fake hook. Ugh. I'll just hide the safety pin underneath tomorrow.

Oh fudge! I forgot to make him a pair of boot shafts...