Terra Branford

Series: Final Fantasy VI

Variation: fanart with Amano-influences

Worn at: Katsucon 2010, Fanime 2010

Why I made this: I planned on making Terra for several months, but finally decided to buckle down and make her less than a week prior to Katsucon 2010. I took inspiration from Japanese cosplayers who weren’t reserved about the use of colorful and contrasting fabrics, and that approach surprisingly matched the fanart and in-game sprite scenes I used as reference. I always thought of Terra with her sprite-green hair because when I was younger, I constantly confused her blonde version for Celes (lol), so I made use of my unused Neptune wig and went ahead with it. For Fanime-con, I wanted to finish her to look the way I intended at Katsucon but wasn’t given ample time for, so many changes happened to version 2 of this costume.

Construction: The dress and arm bands are lined in a low grade dupioni silk (hence why I didn’t feel bad it doesn’t show in photos), and the sashes and hair piece in cottons of varying cotton prints, brocades, batiks and silk. As per every Amano and fanart reference, I added thin layer of zebra print – because it’s not a Terra without it! The bottom cape is a peach and pink gradient chiffon with the top layer a sheer with embroidered flowers, both attached by wire, lined in beautiful red coral attached by magnet to make it “convention-safe”. 99% of the jewelry was made by me, mostly in Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls, with the large pendant painted mother of pearl. Tights were purchased on Ebay, as was the surprisingly thick wig. Once I got the opportunity to add on to the costume for Fanime, I was much happier with it. The sash had some changes to it with a layer replaced with red dupioni silk, gray shells, and a beautiful flower found super cheap. I added gold ribbon binding to the top of the dress, took out the zippers in the arm bands in exchange for eyelets and maroon ribbon, and installed a zipper in the dress back for a better fit. I restyled the wig by cutting in bangs, lowering the ponytail, adding more beads and trinkets to the hairpiece, then constructed a “draping” slave crown out of crystals with a matching one worn by PinkBunnie as Celes. The sword was kindly made by Lionel.

Personal thoughts: Overall, I was pleased with how this turned out, especially after the changes to it. Chloe Dean did our amazing makeup at Fanime. I’m so grateful to my friend Lionel for the amazing sword, and to PinkBunnie for being the prettiest Celes I could ever ask for <3

Costume references

[View with PicLens]