I used a thick red brocade intended for home decor and set it off against a lightweight black brocade in a tighter matte pattern. The corset I made is strong enough to support the wings without me having to use any shoulder straps which was yay. I hand cut black Venetian floral lace into the right width and shape and stitched it onto the corset as trim. I also sewed the creamy white floral trim onto the bottom hem according to the reference. Then I began hand-beading fire-polished glass beads and white pearls all over the trims on the corset, the billowy sleeves which I patterned myself, and the skirt. I also hand made Venetian lace gauntlets and spent quite a long while sewing scattered beads onto them. I think I love those the most!

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I made the necklace by centering it around a red jewel, stringing many rows of black and fire polished beads together.

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I made the black wings out of turkey and coque feathers—originally I thought about doing fabric style bat wings, but the feathers gave them so much more texture and created the tattered effect beautifully.

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The wig I used is a Naomi from New Look which I styled/cut. For the studio photos I used a Scarlett, which also worked beautifully!

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I created the headpiece by butchering two fabric roses and combining them into one big flower, and adding multiple strands of hand-beaded pearls. The feathers are pheasant. They are one of the signature elements of Nene's paintings, and one of my favorites.