Siren Costume

I have been hired to create a costume for a woman to wear on a yacht Costume Ball for Fantasy Fest. Since standing and walking are involved, a traditional mermaid costume isn't practical so she loved the idea of going as a Siren. Naturally, she wants to be sexy, and has the shape for it.

I have picked all the fabrics out (all very diaphanous and merliscious) in flattering colors for her skintone. Aquas, corals, gold, some crisp teals etc. and have pieced most of it together.

I want to use a lot of coordinating Swarovski Crystals, pearls and maybe some glittery seaweed in the costume and woven through her hair. I have already created a tiara with shimmery sea fans, pearls and crystals to go with a very long wig I ordered for her.

The design looks scandalous as it will be on nude mesh but actually covers as much as a swimsuit.

Does anyone have any suggestions on something I may be forgetting that should be incorporated?

A lot of times traditional Greek or Russian Sirens are pictured as winged as well. Perhaps adding a feather element?

Attachment 30502
Attachment 30503
Attachment 30504

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Raayvhen

A lot of times Sirens are pictured as winged as well. Perhaps adding a feather element?

---

Thanks Raayvhen. Yes, I remember the mythology. I don't want anything that even remotely looks fairy or angelesque 'cause there will be a TON of girls dressed in unimaginative variations of that. I'm only using the sea elements so think of the ones that called sailors to their doom with their singing around the rocks. Basically, a mermaid using her legs on land but more Grecian style.

Those pics are great! They look more like Harpies than Sirens to me.

Pictures? I would love to see the tiara and the outfit once it is made or being made. :)

What about the shoes? What will they look like? Maybe you could have shoes kind of like ballet shoes and the lace that laces them up her legs could have small sparkly fins on them? Or the lace on the shoes is like seaweed.

The other thing I was thinking is it would be neat to do faint scale patterns on her using makeup. Her eye shadow could be like scale markings, etc. Maybe somehow put small round sequins on her eyelashes to look like scales.

It already sounds like you have a great plan! Good luck working on it! ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mermaid Alea

Pictures? I would love to see the tiara and the outfit once it is made or being made. :)

What about the shoes? What will they look like? Maybe you could have shoes kind of like ballet shoes and the lace that laces them up her legs could have small sparkly fins on them? Or the lace on the shoes is like seaweed.

The other thing I was thinking is it would be neat to do faint scale patterns on her using makeup. Her eye shadow could be like scale markings, etc. Maybe somehow put small round sequins on her eyelashes to look like scales.

It already sounds like you have a great plan! Good luck working on it! ;)

---

Thanks so much Alea! Yes I am getting ready to post pics probably tomorrow. I made a trident for her to keep the guys off if they get too rowdy lol.

I wish I was going to be there to do her makeup! I have been the CHANEL Regional artist for years so naturally I want to have that control but sadly can't be there and she isn't any good at it. She would glue her eyes shut if she tried to put lashes on lol! I found a very pretty lacy metal eyemask that I am repainting and adding crystals to so all she will have to do is her normal routine and fabulous glittery lips.

Your idea with the seaweed strap sandals is golden! I would like to find her a low kitten-heel type open toe shoe/sandal that I can build on. She'd probably like stripper heels but she will want to saw her feet off by the end of the night in those! Waaaay too much walking during Fantasy Fest. Plus, I want it to look Grecian so strappy is better. Glittery seaweed is an excellent idea and so are the little fins!!! Thank you!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Raayvhen

A lot of times traditional Greek or Russian Sirens are pictured as winged as well. Perhaps adding a feather element?

Attachment 30502
Attachment 30503
Attachment 30504

---

I believe those are harpies...

The greek siren has a musical connotation, luring sailors to their deaths using their hypnotic voices... maybe some kind of musical accessory or instrument?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chris Edwards

I believe those are harpies...

The greek siren has a musical connotation, luring sailors to their deaths using their hypnotic voices... maybe some kind of musical accessory or instrument?

---

You've clearly never seen art depicting Sirens in the Odessey. Sirens do not equal mermaids,

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us..._english/harpy

interesting, since the pictures also resemble the classic definition of harpy. I did look it up and you are correct that there are historical references to sirens as feathered. However the connotation has evolved to be associated with mermaids. I think because they are sea monsters, who hang out on rocks in the sea. Maybe not historically correct, but the general populace will be more familiar with the mer image.

There are also depictions of the sirens of the Oddysey as mermaids:

Attachment 30571

Herbert James Draper; Ulysses and the Sirens (1909)

Maybe the shoes could incorporate feathers to symbolize the flying? Or a crown with feathers? And I too think the musical instrument would be a nice touch.

Would love to see pictures too!

Siren Lore, to clear up the confusion:

Sirens originally were winged/feathered nymphs (probably very akin to Harpies) who lived on secluded islands and were famous and revered for their beautiful, alluring voices.

The Muses, daughters of the Gods and versed in all beautiful arts, once challenged the Sirens to a singing duel to determine whose voices were the prettiest.
The Sirens won.
The Muses, as spoiled and privileged divine daughters, were bad losers and attacked the Sirens when they were flying over the ocean, tearing at their wings, and pulling out all of their feathers until they were nude and dropped into the sea below, now wingless.

As they were magical creatures, the Sirens grew fishtails and now live in the sea.

I have a siren costume that I use in place of my tail for walking around.
Its just an empire waisted skirt that tucks under my scale top.
Here's a link to my instagram photo of it.
https://instagram.com/p/3tuLabSrvz/
idk if it helps at all, but maybe it can provide some more ideas.

Wow, Enora, you're drop dead gorgeous in that dress!! And how did you achieve the turquoise ends in your hair?

LOVE that skirt Enora! Did you make it?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MadisonMermaid

LOVE that skirt Enora! Did you make it?

---

I did make it! The long blue under skirt is leftover swim fabric from my tail and the rest is just glittery rags and netting attached at the top and it has clear bra straps holding it up under my scale top. I've sewn gold coins and shell fragments into the netting and it also has some pearl seaweed garlands hanging down too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mermaid Galene

Wow, Enora, you're drop dead gorgeous in that dress!! And how did you achieve the turquoise ends in your hair?

---

Those are actually a whole head of clip in extensions from wigs of whimsy. It goes from the right ear all the way around to the left. It's kinda heavy sometimes. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chris Edwards

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us..._english/harpy

interesting, since the pictures also resemble the classic definition of harpy. I did look it up and you are correct that there are historical references to sirens as feathered. However the connotation has evolved to be associated with mermaids. I think because they are sea monsters, who hang out on rocks in the sea. Maybe not historically correct, but the general populace will be more familiar with the mer image.

---

Chris, you are right, the general populace WILL be more familiar with the Mer image. The other will register as a Harpy in most people's minds because of the way it has evolved in movies which is why I have gone in that direction. It's a much more alluring costume design. What pretty girl wants to show up at a Costume Ball and go to Fantasy Fest with her head sticking out of a buzzard costume?

Enora, you look lovely in your Siren costume! Thank you!

Raayvhen and Talia, thank you both so much for the BEAUTIFUL illustrations of classical Sirens! Reminds me of my college days in Art History class. ;)

Echidna, thank you for clearing up the confusion surrounding the lore of the Sirens! That story was vivid and makes perfect sense concerning the whole feathers/music/fins/legs thing. I LOVE IT!!

Enora, that is a lovely outfit, and a wonderful pic! :swoon:

Keiris, you are most welcome :mermaid kiss:

Oh Enora, that is so pretty!

So here is the completed Siren costume. The bust (she's on the voluptuous side) is encrusted with aurora borealis crystals of different sizes on nude mesh. I constructed it to look like the material is barely clinging to her skin in all the right places with hints of iridescent sequins and Swarovski Crystals splashing about. It's very asymmetrical, very short on one side and floor length on the other with several layers of water colored chiffon cut in different lengths that move like waves as she walks. There is also a beautiful gold/coral/aqua/peach brocade woven underneath.

The wig is dusted with diamond dust along with woven glittery seaweed and rope pearls.

Finishing the sandals tonight!!

What a beautiful design on the trident! I also love the tendrils, reminds me of a jellyfish :)