Mad Moxxi - Borderlands 2
Why this costume:
I love the Borderlands series and obviously Moxxi. Making Borderlands 2 or "Purple Moxxi" had been on my to make list for years! But, I really wanted to do her right. Use the new skills I had learned to make her more accurate! Really embody her, as I had truly put her on a pedestal. That if I made this version, I would want to do it to the best of my ability and as accurately as possible! After talking to my friend Indra she encouraged me to finally make this version. I can't thank her enough for the push!
Make-up:
All done with make-up I previously owned and used for Moxxi. I highly recommend the white foundation by Sunset Makeup in shade #41 for her base!
Details Construction:
I began with the dress. I used my previous pattern from Red Moxxi to create the very loose base of this costume. I then took it in slowly to get the curves and fit in the places I wanted. I knew the shaping would make all the difference in the final fit, so I took my time ensuring I was happy! I used a pink lining material on the tailcoats, with buckram sandwiched inside. This to allow for me to have the tailcoats curl properly! To finalize the base dress I sealed all the edges in yellow bias. I also added rick rack trim to the bust at this point.
Then came the painting. Moxxi has a floral design on her purple dress. It's very hard to see but it's there when you look close enough. I used some of the stencils from my Tavern Moxxi, mixed with hand painting to add the floral details. I was careful to test my shades of paint first, as it was important it was visible but not too obvious, as it is in the game.
Once I was happy with the floral design I moved to paint the tail coats. I started with the shadows, then went in with black to define the details, then finally I added the highlights with both pink and white paints. It was at this time I could paint the darker purple stripes to the dress. I measured the marked where the stripes should go and added them. With the dark purple stripes in place I was able to sew on my front buttons. I went ahead and added the additional patch details with paint at this time as well. The final detail for the dress, was the back symbol. I recreated this symbol on interfacing painting and blending until I was happy. Finally, I sewed the created interfacing patch into place on the back of the dress.
The collar I also patterned to the dress. Once patterned I included interfacing for stability. With the cuffs, I used EVA foam for added stability. I then marked and sewed the additional black and white striped. With the stripes in place I added the teal swirls in various places, trying to keep as close to the reference as possible. The collar was sewn to the dress and the cuffs are able to be slipped on.
The leggings were made by sewing two different materials together. I used Hex scuba fabric and some black stretch vinyl I had from previous projects. Since Moxxi's stripes are actually uneven, I sewed them together in a way that matched the different widths. I used the wrong side of the vinyl, as to avoid the wet look. I sewed both this legging as well as the fishnet for the other leg to my pantyhose. This to ensure it stayed up and in place throughout wear!
I used the same Hex scuba fabric for my boot covers. Once I patterned the boot cover out I sewed on the same yellow bias. I then glued the boot cover to the base shoe I had purchased for the costume. Added more paint for the details and finally the blood splatters!
The hat I created out of EVA foam. I drew up a very simple hat design and cut it to size. Once happy with the size, I used a Dremel to round off the edges. Next, I glued the hat together. I then heat sealed the foam and started painting it the same purple shade as the dress. I made a small fabric band with the same black and white stripes and glued it to the hat in the back. Leaving the sides open so the feathers and card could be inserted. Then, it was detail time again! I added more black paint and highlights to the hat! The final step were cutting and painting the three feathers.
Her Holster was also crafted out of EVA foam. I used the same method as the hat to complete and finish the holster.
The belts and garter were actually up-cycled from my original Mad Moxxi since they were the same in Borderlands 1 as Borderlands 2. I just added updated paint details to fit my current paint experience.
I included my build book from this project in the progress section. I actually entered this costume in the craftsmanship competition at Bold Matsuri 2023. I want to start competing more and I was extremely proud of the work I did on this costume. I was blessed to win Best in Show with this costume! It meant so much to me, as I know Moxxi is a "sexy" costume and while I adore that about her and the design, I really wanted to show that so much more love and effort went into this the crafting of this costume.
If you have any questions as always, please let me know! I would love to share or explain more!
I love the Borderlands series and obviously Moxxi. Making Borderlands 2 or "Purple Moxxi" had been on my to make list for years! But, I really wanted to do her right. Use the new skills I had learned to make her more accurate! Really embody her, as I had truly put her on a pedestal. That if I made this version, I would want to do it to the best of my ability and as accurately as possible! After talking to my friend Indra she encouraged me to finally make this version. I can't thank her enough for the push!
Make-up:
All done with make-up I previously owned and used for Moxxi. I highly recommend the white foundation by Sunset Makeup in shade #41 for her base!
Details Construction:
I began with the dress. I used my previous pattern from Red Moxxi to create the very loose base of this costume. I then took it in slowly to get the curves and fit in the places I wanted. I knew the shaping would make all the difference in the final fit, so I took my time ensuring I was happy! I used a pink lining material on the tailcoats, with buckram sandwiched inside. This to allow for me to have the tailcoats curl properly! To finalize the base dress I sealed all the edges in yellow bias. I also added rick rack trim to the bust at this point.
Then came the painting. Moxxi has a floral design on her purple dress. It's very hard to see but it's there when you look close enough. I used some of the stencils from my Tavern Moxxi, mixed with hand painting to add the floral details. I was careful to test my shades of paint first, as it was important it was visible but not too obvious, as it is in the game.
Once I was happy with the floral design I moved to paint the tail coats. I started with the shadows, then went in with black to define the details, then finally I added the highlights with both pink and white paints. It was at this time I could paint the darker purple stripes to the dress. I measured the marked where the stripes should go and added them. With the dark purple stripes in place I was able to sew on my front buttons. I went ahead and added the additional patch details with paint at this time as well. The final detail for the dress, was the back symbol. I recreated this symbol on interfacing painting and blending until I was happy. Finally, I sewed the created interfacing patch into place on the back of the dress.
The collar I also patterned to the dress. Once patterned I included interfacing for stability. With the cuffs, I used EVA foam for added stability. I then marked and sewed the additional black and white striped. With the stripes in place I added the teal swirls in various places, trying to keep as close to the reference as possible. The collar was sewn to the dress and the cuffs are able to be slipped on.
The leggings were made by sewing two different materials together. I used Hex scuba fabric and some black stretch vinyl I had from previous projects. Since Moxxi's stripes are actually uneven, I sewed them together in a way that matched the different widths. I used the wrong side of the vinyl, as to avoid the wet look. I sewed both this legging as well as the fishnet for the other leg to my pantyhose. This to ensure it stayed up and in place throughout wear!
I used the same Hex scuba fabric for my boot covers. Once I patterned the boot cover out I sewed on the same yellow bias. I then glued the boot cover to the base shoe I had purchased for the costume. Added more paint for the details and finally the blood splatters!
The hat I created out of EVA foam. I drew up a very simple hat design and cut it to size. Once happy with the size, I used a Dremel to round off the edges. Next, I glued the hat together. I then heat sealed the foam and started painting it the same purple shade as the dress. I made a small fabric band with the same black and white stripes and glued it to the hat in the back. Leaving the sides open so the feathers and card could be inserted. Then, it was detail time again! I added more black paint and highlights to the hat! The final step were cutting and painting the three feathers.
Her Holster was also crafted out of EVA foam. I used the same method as the hat to complete and finish the holster.
The belts and garter were actually up-cycled from my original Mad Moxxi since they were the same in Borderlands 1 as Borderlands 2. I just added updated paint details to fit my current paint experience.
I included my build book from this project in the progress section. I actually entered this costume in the craftsmanship competition at Bold Matsuri 2023. I want to start competing more and I was extremely proud of the work I did on this costume. I was blessed to win Best in Show with this costume! It meant so much to me, as I know Moxxi is a "sexy" costume and while I adore that about her and the design, I really wanted to show that so much more love and effort went into this the crafting of this costume.
If you have any questions as always, please let me know! I would love to share or explain more!
