MADAME HYDRA (VIPER)
Marvel Universe
Photographer
Why I chose to make this costume:
Madame Hydra is a strong female character with one of my favorite color themes, and much as with Baroness, I like that Ophelia doesn't have superhuman strength or mutant powers, but relies on her cunning, vigorous combat training and a variety of cool weapons to be a formidable foe to so many heroes. I'm so down with that. Rolling with the big boys! I wanted to cosplay this character, and thought of ways to translate her overall silhouette into a more detailed costume with textures. I respect each cosplayer's way of interpreting the character, but for me, there was no fun in just making a green bodysuit. I wanted to have some design lines and interesting patterns on the costume.
How I made this costume:
I used the reference image as loose inspiration and designed my own version of Madame Hydra's suit. Here is a work in progress collage with my sketch.
I broke down the design into 4 pieces: Top with mandarin collar, waist cincher (more for the look than for the function), pants and gloves. All pieces are made with 3 different green fabrics: jumbo spandex, scale pattern metallic spandex and pvc. I also used black rubberized spandex for all the Hong Kong style finishing on the shoulders, gloves and collar.
The front part of the cincher is quilted, vaguely simulating a snake's belly.
The wig was sponsored by Arda Wigs and was a lace front wavy wig, which I straightened and styled.
I was lucky enough to find the one pair of green boots that I could get shipped to me on time for NYCC, and I used my Catwoman whip for the prop.
The gun holsters are a right and a left, which were hard to pair up. I got them and the tactical belts from an Army store and altered them to fit me. I wanted black instead of green to break up the coloring of the costume so I'm not a green blob from head to toe walking around.
Thoughts on this costume:
Totally love this costume! It's comfy and easy to wear and I love green! Can't wait to be Madame Hydra again!
