Fairy Tale Magic - The Evil Queen
Costume and photography: Mai Anh Tran
Welcome to Fairy Tale Magic 2021.
This year, our talented lineup of sewists are bringing classic fairy tales to life. Instead of vying for the magical princess stories, Fairy Tale Magic 2021 is focused on the VILLAINS. Starting out LLK’s highly-anticipated week is Mai Anh with The Evil Queen.
The Evil Queen
“Lips red as blood, hair black as night, bring me your heart, my dear, dear Snow White.”
The Evil Queen Ravenna may have lost her position as the fairest of all, but Snow White’s arch nemesis definitely tops the best-dressed list. This costume was expertly recreated by the talented Mai Anh. While the beautiful damsel Snow White is intended to be the main attraction, it’s hard to keep your eyes off the vain queen in her opposing, yet equally enticing silhouette.
Friends of LLK have been admiring Mai Anh’s work for years. Mai has an astounding level of creativity and is well known for over-the-top sewing projects and epic photo shoots all over the world. Today is no different, as Mai Anh brings us a feast of creativity, photography, and expert craftsmanship.
Mai Anh assembled an array of exotic materials and intricate details and trims to create this regal ensemble. Each piece exhibits an element of dark imagination and echoes the themes established by this chilling villain.
Mai Anh worked intentionally with the luscious, dark and dangerous palette of black, purple, and red to depict the evil queen as cold, cruel, and madly envious. The fabrications are made with luxe materials in deep colors that denote ties to the underworld.
To achieve this look, Mai Anh fashioned a regal, polyester-knit dress combining the bodice and sleeves of Benicia and the skirt of Manhattan. The dress is cinched with a bias tape, belted waist tie. For authenticity, the fully lined cape was constructed from the Rivendell pattern and the length was extended to the floor.
She fabricated a high collar that is symbolic of the ravens she uses to distract her enemies. The base of the collar is the same width as the Rivendell neckline, and the top of the collar is double the width; this component serves the character well, adding to the tone and spectacle.
With an eye toward honoring that original ensemble, Mai Anh constructed a head covering from stretchy fabric 10 ½ ” x 17 ¾” (27 cm x 45 cm) and added depth to the costume with a heavy metal crown accented with dagger-like fleur-de-lys to set off her dark underpinnings.
The Queen’s attire maintains an eerie, animalistic feel reflecting the primal gloom the Ravenna casts over her realm. As the story progresses and Ravenna’s enmity grows, her evil nature, much like her costume, appears darker and more sinister.
When she breaks the tender peel, to taste the apple in my hand, her breath will still, her blood congeal, then I'll be fairest in the land!
Magic Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?
