time completed: Beginning of June 2000
hours spent: 60
worn at: A-kon 2000, AX 2000, Otakon 2000 (contest)
Awards: 2. Place in the J-rock cosplay contest at A-kon ^-^

Why I chose to make this costume:
"Au Revoir" is one of my favorite Malice Mizer-songs, and Mana's outfit in it is the most beautiful outfit he's ever worn in my opinion. At the time I decided to make this project, I had sewn one costume and no clue how to read patterns or use a sewing machine properly. I still really wanted his dress.

How I made this costume:
I sewed the lined dress by altering a wedding dress pattern. Because this was my first attempt at sewing a dress, it took me three tries. I then added the flowers and lace and curled the petals upwards. The detail work took most of the time, I had to dye the flowers to the right shades and cut out the lace while I was gluing it. I cut and styled a long wavy platinum blond wig into Mana's elaborate hair and added the spikes from the strands I’d cut off.

My thoughts on this costume:
The photos with the lilies were taken by my friend Nadine. They were part of a Christmas flower arrangement!

Reference pictures