Wednesday Wishlist: Once upon a time's Tinker Bell / Souhait du mercredi: Il était une fois Clochette

(La version Française se trouve plus bas.)

I am a fan of the show Once upon a time (2011); how could I not be, it is about fairytales and has amazing costumes! This season, the protagonists are in Neverland, and so we have been introduced to new characters, including Tinker Bell.

Je suis fan de l’émission Once upon a time: Il était une fois (2011); comment pourrait-il en être autrement, c’est à propos de contes de fées et il y a de magnifiques costumes. Cette saison, les protagonistes sont au Pays Imaginaire, ce qui nous permet de rencontrer de nouveaux personnages, incluant Clochette.

Rose McIver as Tinker Bell and Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen, Once upon a time (2011) /

Rose McIver est Clochette et Lana Parrilla est la méchante reine, Once upon a time: Il était une fois (2011)

My first reaction when that photo was published was “Oh-my-gods! She’s an Irish dancer!”. Honestly, the curly hair, large glittery headband and sequined dress would look right at home at a feis.

Ma première réaction quand cette photo à été publiée fut « Oh-mes-dieux! C’est une danseuse de danse Irlandaise! ». Sincèrement, les cheveux bouclés, le large serre-tête à paillettes et la robe scintillante seraient tout indiqués à un feis.

Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen and Rose McIver as Tinker Bell, Once upon a time (2011) /

Lana Parrilla est la méchante reine et Rose McIver est Clochette, Once upon a time: Il était une fois (2011)

 

Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen and Rose McIver as Tinker Bell, Once upon a time (2011) /

Lana Parrilla est la méchante reine et Rose McIver est Clochette, Once upon a time: Il était une fois (2011)

I am simply in love with the general look of this costume: the light/lime green and gold, the lace and sequined texture, the curly blond hairdo. I must add it to my wish list. Resistance is futile.

If and when I get to make it, I will most likely make an “inspired-by” version. For instance, I’m thinking of gold painted ghillies instead of those booties. We’ll see!

Je suis tout simplement tombée pour l’allure générale de ce costume: le vert pâle/lime et le doré, la texture de la dentelle et des paillettes, la coiffure blonde bouclée. Je dois l’ajouter à ma liste de costumes souhaités. Toute résistance serait futile.

Et si j’en viens à le confectionner, ce sera probablement une version « inspiré de ». Par exemple, je pense peindre une paire de ghillies en doré plutôt que de porter ces bottillons. On verra!

[Not so] Weekly Wednesday Wishlist: Worcestershire Academy Uniform

Raise your hands if you enjoy watching historical / fantasy / sci fi based comedies! Me too. One thing I thoroughly enjoy in these films (or TV shows) is to see how aspects of our modern world are interpreted to fit the story’s reality. I especially enjoy seeing how uniforms, such as school uniforms, are designed.

Take Shrek the Third (2007) for instance: Worcestershire Academy has everything from horse drawn buses to hennin wearing cheerleaders.

But I have to say, I prefer the girl’s regular uniform: a red and blue dress with Florentine inspired bodice with white undershirt decorated with blue embroidery showing at neckline; gold and red celtic knot trim at shoulders and down the center front of the bodice; red and blue diamond patterned sleeves with blue cuffs; long skirt with white hem and red insert decorated by the red and gold celtic knot trim.

The school emblem is embroidered to the wearer's left side bodice. Other head girl and geek club badges optional.

Of course, there is also a male version of the uniform: an off-white shirt, brown hosen, a red Italian doublet inspired vest with red and blue diamond patterned sleeves with red cuffs. The school emblem is once again embroidered to the wearer's left side.

One of these days, I will have to make myself a Worcestershire Academy Uniform, just for the kick of it. Who is with me?

Montreal's St. Patrick's Parade 55th Queen Selection

Last night, I went to my first pageant ever: it was the 55th Montreal St. Patrick’s Parade Queen Selection Evening. It was nothing like what you see on tele, on TLC (thank goodness!); the entrants had to give speeches and answer questions, but they were judged on their ability to speak in public and what they had to say, not on their looks. One of my friends from Irish Dancing had decided to enter (she didn’t win and was quite happy about it – I think she might have entered to please her mom), so I went to support and encourage her.

J.K.

In between speeches, there was a little entertainment, and some had interesting dresses or costumes. One was the Marlow Sisters, a couple of singers.

The Marlow Sisters

I of course loved their green dresses. Many people attending wore green, but that green satin was very cool and flashy.

The founder of the Montreal St. Patrick’s day Parade Queen Selection Pageant is none other than Bernadette Short, Québec’s first TCRG (that is Irish Dance teacher). It comes as no surprise then that we were treated to a couple dance numbers by Celtic Grace, Bernadette Short’s Dance Troupe.

The Bernadette Short Irish Dancers

Celtic Grace

I do love Celtic Grace’s navy and purple dresses. They are very simple, but elegant. I also have to say, they were impressive dancers!

But this evening was about choosing a Queen and Princesses for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Without further ado, here is this year’s Queen and her court:

2010 Parade Queen Katherine McKendy

Princess Sandra Evangelista

Princess Kelly Taylor

Princess Chelsea Wakeling

Princess Kelsie Murphy-Rusnak

Don’t you just love those capes? They are so dreamy and romantic! I know that crazily enough, many entrants hope to be a princess to wear a green cape instead of the red one. And those Tiaras are so sparkly! No wonder some participants say they have been dreaming of this since they were little girls.

The Queen and her Court

I wish I could enter next year. I would look good in a cape and tiara! Besides, I found out this past Christmas that I have an Irish ancestor, which is one of the most important prerequisite for participants. You must also be single, which I’m not (and I have a kid), but you know, I’m not married... My friend started asking me how old I was, thinking she could get me to enter next year (one needs to share the "torture" around), but alas, I am too old now. Had I only known a few years back that Great Great Grandma Rose came from Ireland! I would have loved to be a princess! (Maybe my daughter can one day, but only if she wishes to.)

Movie Monday: The Princess Bride

Have you heard of the Great Digital Film Festival?

"It is truly a unique event designed to showcase popular movies that in most cases have not been seen before on the big screen in a digital format"

Pat Marshall, Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations, Cineplex Entertainment, from The Great Digital Film Festival Arrives for One Week Only at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, CanadianBusiness.com.

One of the movies presented during this festival is The Princess Bride (1987).

The Princess Bride (1987)

If you have never seen this movie, you are truly missing something. Not only is it a cute fairytale, it is also a hilarious comedy. Besides, how can you not know about R.O.U.S.s and The Dread Pirate Roberts?

I should also mention that Princess Buttercup has many cute fairytale dresses. Let me list them. And because I'm in a comparative mood (see yesterday's post), I'll even tell you what the inspiration for each was (in my opinion anyways).

1. The Farm Jumper

Robin Wright Penn as Buttercup, The Princess Bride, The Princess Bride (1987)

Clearly inspired by 14th century Sideless Surcoat and Cotehardie.

2. The Princess Gown

Robin Wright Penn as Buttercup, The Princess Bride, The Princess Bride (1987)

Empire waist dress with fluttering over sleeves. For some reason, empire waist became very popular in the 15th century, especially in Italian Renaissance fashion, never to be heard of again until early 19th century Directoire.

3. Red Riding Gown

Robin Wright Penn as Buttercup, The Princess Bride and Cary Elwes as Westley / The Dread Pirate Roberts, The Princess Bride (1987)

This style closely resembles the Houppelande worn during the 15th century.

4. Light Blue Robe and Night Gown

Robin Wright Penn as Buttercup, The Princess Bride, The Princess Bride (1987)

A robe is a robe, but the Chemise she wears underneath is a style of underwear that was worn from the 16th century to the 18th century with very little change.

5. Pink Gown

Robin Wright Penn as Buttercup, The Princess Bride, The Princess Bride (1987)

A boat neckline means 14th century Cotehardie. Other than that, it's just your run of the mill Fairytale Princess Dress.

6. Blue Gown

Chris Sarandon as Prince Humperdinck and Robin Wright Penn as Buttercup, The Princess Bride, The Princess Bride (1987)

This dress is by far my favourite. Also inspired by 14th century Cotehardie, it has Tippets as well (that is, long bands of fabric hanging from the biceps).

7. Wedding Gown

Cary Elwes as Westley / The Dread Pirate Roberts, and Robin Wright Penn as Buttercup, The Princess Bride, The Princess Bride (1987)

Looks like it is cut from the same pattern as the princess gown.

Of course there are many heroic men with costumes too, but you know me, I tend to focus on the pretty dresses.

For more costume pictures from The Princess Bride, visit The Costumer's Guide to Movie Costumes - The Princess Bride.

The costumes for The Princess Bride were designed by Phyllis Dalton, winner of two Best Costume Design Oscars for Doctor Zhivago (1965) and Henry V (1989).

Movie Monday: The Tooth Fairy

Well it is still kind of slow Costume wise for new movies. All I have to offer you this week is this comedy coming out on Friday: The Tooth Fairy (2010).

Who ever thought we would one day see Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson in a satin shirt, tights and wings!

Stephen Merchant as Tracy, Dwayne Johnson as Derek and Julie Andrews as Lily, The Tooth Fairy (2010)

Making a pair of wings is a skill all costumers should learn to do (I have never personally made some, but my parents made me a pair for a bee costume when I was 5 and they have been used sporadically for angel costumes by other members of the family since); after all, Something with wings is on the Compulsory Costume List! Most wing making techniques require the use of metal wire for the frame (a metal hanger will do perfectly), nylons or tights for the wings, which are easy to slip over your frame, but you could also use fabric that you would sew to the wire, and shoulder straps for you to wear your wings.

Or you can be lazy and buy a pretty nice pre-made pair for about 10$ - 15$. Your choice!

Wednesday Weekly Wishlist: Snow/Ice Queen

It is one of the Compulsory Costumes on the list: The Snow/Ice Queen. I think it's there because so many costumers like to make their own version. Just type "ice queen" or "snow queen" in Google Image and you'll see what I mean.

For my own interpretation, which I have been working on for quite a few years, I see the dress and coat looking a little like Winter Fantasy™ Barbie® (2003), which I have on my shelf.

Winter Fantasy™ Barbie® (2003)

I like the idea of a shimmering dress and a white fur trimmed coat. For the belt buckle, I plan on using a metallic snow flake Christmas decoration type thing, which I can starting November in many different sores. As for the tiara, I would like something a little more "ice" like. For example, I really like this Swarovski Cristal tiara:

Swarovski Cristal Tiara

Generally speaking, I plan on getting all my accessories for this costume in the Christmas Decoration section of my local Zellers or Canadian Tire.

Hair wise, I had thought of getting custom made dreads in white, blond, silver and maybe light blue, to look like icicles; unfortunately, my favourite dread maker, Elliss Seven of LS Seven Hair, no longer takes custom orders, so I'm no longer sure exactly what I'll do. We'll see.

As for makeup, I have shimmering white powder which I can use on the top part of my face, shimmering turquoise powder I would use as eye shadow and blush, and silver lipstick for an icy look.

The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen has been one of my favourite stories since childhood. I could make a whole wardrobe for my Snow Queen if I didn't hold myself back.

Christmas day is here!

Christmas is here, and I'm adding the finishing touches to my Victorian-esque bodice (it's not going to be Victorian per se, just a bodice with off the shoulder sleeves).

In the mean time, Merry Christmas! I hope you had a lovely Christmas Eve.

Because I am getting my daughter into costuming at a young age, I get to post pictures of what she wore last night. Why wear a plain old pretty outfit when you can dress up as Frosty the Snowbaby!

My Baby being held up by her Aunt D.

Wasn't she cute? I know it's a little hard to see, but there is even a little Top Hat sewn to the hood. Now I have to say, I did not make that. It was given to me by Sciath who had it for her daughter last year. Judging from the tag, I think it's from Zellers. But she was very comfortable (and warm, an important factor when going to my Aunt S.' house).

Opening presents is exhausting

To go with the "Frosty" suit, my Baby wore her "Santa's Elf" onesie and Christmas socks with gingerbread men on them.

I know, some will say she will one day hate me for this, but I think she will just grow up having lots of fun with her slightly crazy mom! After all, every kid loves to play dress up!

Wednesday Weekly Wishlist: Necile

From the time they start airing all of the Christmas specials and cartoons on TV, I watch as many as I can. One I discovered a few years back is The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus (2000), based on a 1902 children's book by L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

I loved the presence of all of the mythological looking characters. Of course, right away I had my favorite: Necile. In the cartoon (I haven't read the book, but I think it's the same in there too), she is the Nymph who raises Nicholas.

Her outfit is simple, but I would like to make it one day. I consists of a blue dress with light blue yoke and sleeves, two-toned golden green wings and a flower headdress made of five teal and lilac petals. And as she is a nymph, I would have to get myself a pair of pointy ears.

That's it for today. I have a bodice to finish!

"La Fée des Étoiles", a French Christmas Character

For most of you, Santa Claus' feminine partner has probably always been Mother Claus. It is not so for everyone. You see, In France and French tradition in general, Le Père Noël is accompanied by La Fée des Étoiles (The Star Fairy). In the past, in families where some male relative played the role of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, there was often an aunt dressed in a white or blue dress decorated with stars. It is our tradition.

My favorite depiction of the Star Fairy comes from a 1984 French movie, J'ai rencontré le Père Noël. I was at the local premiere with my parents, I was given the soundtrack and I still have it (it is a vinyl 45 rpm). It is not a great movie by far, but to me, it is associated with Christmas and I love to watch it and listen to the music.

In the movie, the Fairy is played by French Singer Karen Chéryl. Her dress looks nothing like the usual descrition: she wears a cream coloured Elizabethan inspired dress, complete with puffed and slashed upper sleeves and sheer fan collar.

In the following video (a clip from the TV show Champs-Elisées (1982) that originally aired on November 24, 1984), starting at around 2:20 minutes, you can see Karen Chéryl in her Fairy dress, full length and in detail.

Nowadays, the character of Mother Claus has been adapted in French too as La Mère Noël; but it is nice to remember our traditions and not forget the Star Fairy. After all, "every time someone says 'I do not believe in fairies', somewhere there's a fairy that falls down dead"*.

*Line from Tinkerbell in Hook (1991).

The Nutcracker: a Fairytale Ballet

I've been seeing the following commercial on tele lately, and every time, I sigh.

So I have come to an important decision: as soon as my daughter is old enough, I am taking her every year to see Les Grand Ballets Canadiens' production of The Nutcracker.

I have seen it three times already (once when I was a little girl, and the two years in a row about six or seven years ago) and I never tire of seeing it. Imagine: the costumes you see on the video have not changed in 20 years from what I can remember a least). I've always loved Clara's teal blue dress (as seen around 1:15 minutes), and of course, there are the beautiful fairies' tutus.

King of Candyland, Callye Robinson as Sugar Plum Fairy and Cotton-Candy Angels, The Nutcracker by Les Grand Ballets Canadiens; Photo by John Hall.

Now I wish I could add Ballet to my dancing repertoire!

Disney Princesses present Christmas Fashion

All little girls love the Disney Princesses; it is a well known fact. The little girls who grow up to be costumers love to dress up as their favourite princess, even once they are over 20. For instance:

I'm a girl. I still love princess stories. I would therefore love to make one of these dresses on day.

But as December is my Holiday special, I thought I might inspire some costumers to make a different dress next time: How about, a Christmas Disney Princess?

Disney Princesses

Now that would be original!

Mental note: maybe for next year's crazy last minute Christmas costume project...

Disney's The Princess and the Frog

The Disney Princesses: every little girl's dream! I myself was once dressed as a five years old, beach blond Snow White for Halloween. (I have to scan some pictures for you eventually.)

This Friday, a new princess comes into our lives: Princess Tiana. Now little girls of visible African ancestry can have their own princess too!

I'm not sure how I feel about that. I have nothing against having a dark skinned princess, it's just that the first version of The Princess and the Frog (2009) I ever heard of was by a kid's TV show called Iniminimagimo (1987), and the story was set in China. But as it turns out, The Frog Prince was one of the Brothers Grimm's stories, so I guess it can be interpreted any way one wants.

Tiana wears two princess dresses in the movie. First, she has what I believe to be her Debutante Ball Dress.

Princess Tiana

It is very pretty, but I have to admit, I was a little disappointed at first because I thought this was going to be her official Disney Princess Dress (they all have one) and this shade of blue looks a lot like Cinderella's. Since this is the story of a frog, why not green? No other Disney Princess wears green as her official colour.

But I was of little faith!

Disney's Princess Tiana

Now that's more like it! Not only is it green, it is clearly inspired by a water lily. They really took the frog theme to heart.

I wonder how many little Tianas will be trick-or-treating on my street next year?

"It's not easy being green!"

Kermit sang it, "It's not easy being green". For Halloween 2007, I wanted to impress everyone at work with an amazing costume. An impressive costume. One that would match my body shape. I went for Princess Fiona the Ogre.

I had fallen in love with her dress in Shrek (2001), but I wasn't sure how or if I would find a green velvet with gold motif. And by then, I also had Shrek II (2004) and Shrek the Third (2007) to pick dresses from. So I decided to let the people decide and I started a poll amongst my friends to let them vote for the dress I would make, and the unanimous choice was the Shrek II version (it figures; it is the one with the most details).

Princess Fiona in Shrek II (2004)

Once again, hours were spent in research by looking at as many pictures and videos as I could find. I wanted to make my costume as screen accurate as possible.

I ended up making it in green stretch velvet, using blue gray taffeta for the skirt panels, sleeves slits, belt, neckline and cuffs. Instead of satin stitching the brass accents, I bought a gold lace trim, which saved me some time and made my life easier (because, of course, I finished making my costume on October 31st, at 2 AM). For the brass dots you can see on the belt, neckline and cuffs, I used decorative brass fabric nails.

Princess Fiona the Ogre in Shrek II (2004)

Fabrics were not the only thing I needed to make this costume perfect. I found lime green socks to cover my feet and I bought green velvet shoes from eBay.

The jewelry was made out of Fimo, spray painted gold, with Deco Art Liquid Rainbow paint for the red enamel accents. Everything hangs from gold cord.

I made a crown and ears out of fun foam. I used the thicker kind for the crown, stapled it close in the back and spray painted it gold, before gluing a red jewel to the front. For the ears, I used thin fun foam and I painted them with a mixture of green paint and glue.

I bought a red haired wig on eBay (it came from Hong Kong and it is one of the best and most comfortable wigs I own - I find it looks so natural that I have considered wearing it out, for the fun of changing my hair in a non-permanent way) to which I pin my crown and ears.

Finally, the biggest difference between the Princess Fiona human and ogre versions, other than the waistline, the skin colour. I couldn't find the right colour of green make-up at my local arts and crafts store, so I had to order it from eBay (I love shopping on eBay). I wear Snazaroo face paint in Lime Green. To get the perfect effect, I also wear Wet N' Wild MegaEyes® Eyeshadow Trio in Amazon Green, auburn red brow pencil, pink blush and pink lipstick. Oh, and let's not forget the hands: I paint my nails lime green and I wear my grandmother's wedding band.

Now I know you're dying to know what the end result looks like, so Ta-da!

Gwenyver's Princess Fiona Costume, Halloween 2007

What do you think? I hate to brag, but It is in my humble opinion, one of the best Fiona costumes I've seen!

(I know you can see my ear and you shouldn't, but I wear a headset to answer the phone and I forgot to fix my hair before taking pictures.)

I was so proud, I thought I would be super original, but it turned out, every girl's nightmare came true for me on this day: someone from accounting also dressed up as Fiona!

Fiona vs Fiona, Halloween 2007

OK, once again I hate to brag, but darn I look good!

The only thing I am not fully satisfied with is the crown. It's too high. But that's OK, my cat took care of of the problem recently: he chewed on it, so now I have to make a new one and I can make it the right height this time. (Thank you G'Kwan for being so helpful!)

L'Alliance Impériale at Le Grand Festival d'Halloween à Blainville, 2008

Last year, l'Alliance Impériale was invited to Le Grand Festival d'Halloween à Blainville and I went as Fiona. For the first time since I've started Trooping with them, my costume was as popular as the Clone Trooper armours. Lots of little girls wanted their picture taken with me, and I had a few women telling me I was their favorite character or princess. There even was this one dad who shooed his wife and kids away to quickly snap a picture with me!

Gwenyver as Princess Fiona, Le Grand Festival d'Halloween à Blainville, 2008

If you calculate quickly, you will realize I was 24 weeks pregnant when this picture was taken, and my baby kept kicking me almost the whole time (she is a kicker to this day!).

Fiona in Far Far Away

I might have played around in Photoshop a little. But it looks fun!

I have to say, that is one of my best costumes.

Wednesday Weekly Wishlist: Selkie Costume

Have you found your Halloween party costume yet? I've made up my mind about what to wear at the party I'm throwing (I'll wear my Dark Maiden Dress), but now I have to decide what to make for Nancy-Raven's Party.

As previously mentioned, every year since she's moved in with her honey, Nancy-Raven throws a Halloween Party. Last year, she introduced the idea of a theme for the costumes, so we had a Roaring 20's Party. But as not all of her guests are as costume inclined as we are, some complained that the theme was too difficult (although everyone showed up in an appropriate costume, so I don't know what they were complaining about).

So this year, the theme is Myth and Legends of the World (the idea being that the theme has enough possibilities to please everyone).

But now, I don't know what to wear. I have too many ideas! And Nancy-Raven refuses to tell me what her costume is. (I guess she wants it to be a surprise, but I'm curious and I want to know!)

One idea is a Selkie costume. I've wanted to make one for 10 years! Ever since my trip to Scotland, where I learned about Selkies at the Highland Mystery World theme park in Glencoe (there was a woman dressed as a Selkie who told us a story in a very dramatic way - sadly, I don't remember it because I was busy studying her costume).

Selkies - The Seal People

For those of you who don't know, Selkies are magickal creatures of the sea who have the appearance of seals in the water, but who can shed their skins and transform into beautiful men and women when they come ashore. It is said that if a man can find and hide a Selkie's skin, he can get her to marry him, but if she ever finds her skin, she will disappear back in the sea.

A Selkie taking off her skin

For the costume, I want to make a faux seal skin, not unlike the faux donkey skin I wish to make for a Peau d'Âne costume, to wear as a cloak. For the head, I think I could get away with a hood to which I would add a snout and eyes.

As inspiration for the seal's head, I found this picture:

Woman in seal costume lying on bed

As for what I would wear underneath, I was thinking of a short tunic, very plain, made of Indian cotton, in either teal or green. I would also like to find a wide mesh scarf to tie around my waist. I want the outfit to look like it's been made from things found in the sea, such as seaweed, sails from shipwrecks and fisherman's net.

Dragonarium's Labyrinth of Jareth 2008 Selkie Costume

During my research, I found one person who had made a Selkie costume. Hers included a simple white shift and a seal skin brat that she wore on her shoulder.

I guess if I make a Selkie costume for Nancy-Raven's Party (or whenever I get around to making it), I can be pretty certain to be the only one dressed like that. That is a very good thing, because there is nothing worse for a girl than showing up at a party wearing the same thing as another girl!

Wednesday Weekly Wishlist: Peau d'Âne

Everyone has a favorite Fairytale from their childhood: mine was Perrault's Peau d'Âne (Donkeyskin). I still have my book, Les Plus Beaux Contes de Perrault (Lito-Paris Editions) illustrated by Monique Gorde, and I still like to read the story from time to time (plus now, I can share it with my daughter).

Peau d'Âne from Les Plus Beaux Contes de Perrault, Lito-Paris Editions, Illustrations by Monique Gorde

Why that story in particular you might wonder? Before she ran away, she got to ask for three dresses: a Sky coloured Dress, a Moon coloured Dress and a Sun coloured Dress. What little girl wouldn't dream of those!

Sky Coloured Dress, Peau d'Âne, Les Plus Beaux Contes de Perrault, Lito-Paris Editions, Illustrations by Monique Gorde

Moon Coloured Dress, Peau d'Âne, Les Plus Beaux Contes de Perrault, Lito-Paris Editions, Illustrations by Monique Gorde

My book shows no illustration of the Sun Coloured Dress, so let's look at the movie version instead:

Catherine Deneuve as La Princesse "Peau d'Âne", Peau d'Âne (1970)

So, obviously, being a costumeholic, I would one day like to make a Peau d'Âne costume. The dresses are one thing: they look a little complicated at first glance (I want to make them from the illustrations), but I know I could figure them out in a few hours. What poses a problem to me is the donkey skin. I haven't a clue how to make that. The head is the biggest challenge: it has to be solid, fit on my head and yet be empty.

To give you an idea, this is what I'd want the donkey skin to look like:

Catherine Deneuve as La Princesse "Peau d'Âne", Peau d'Âne (1970)

Basically, I'll need to learn how to make a Fursuit to make that costume (one can never have enough skills or be done learning), so I'm not making it anytime soon. But it's nice to dream!