The Kushana Cosplay - part 1

So, my next project is for the Science Fiction Convention in Stockholm in April.

I'm doing Kushana from my all-time favorite anime/manga - Kaze no Tani no Nausicaä. Kushana is kindof the villain, at first, when she arrives in the Valley of the Wind with some brutal methods in order to reclaim lost land to humanity. Her goals are admirable, but her method is fire and war. Her struggle is a different one from that of the heroine and Kushana follows different paths through this dystopic world that is on the brink of being consumed by mutated vegetation and giant insects.

I am going for the animated movie version of Kushana (below). In this version of the story, Kushana was attacked by giant insects as a child and lost both her legs as well as her left arm. She has replaced theses limbs with armor prostethics.

So, what I am making is:
x) A white tunic in wool or jersey
x) Armor for legs and one arm
x) A tiara crown
x) The snake flag
With the possible addition of Kushana's pistol - a very intricate and beautiful piece



My first mission will be the leg armor and for this I will premiere the use of Worbla. But first, I'm making a leg model so I can make a pattern and later on form the Worbla in the correct size and shape.

Here is how it went:

1) I used plastic bags and duct tape. I cut out the bottom of two of the bags and wrapped the third around my foot. Then I made my husband duct tape me. It's strongly adviced to get help for this, do not try this alone.
2) With 2 layers on duct tape in place, we used a scissor to open up the cast in the back, all the way down to the heel.
3) I used fabric scraps from previous projects to stuff the leg and as I worked my war upwards, I closed the opening with more duct tape.
4) Finally, a complete leg! Now I can make my armor!

The leg in the process of getting taped

Taped leg

Stuffing the leg and closing it on the way

The finished leg in all its glory