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March 15, 2011 by Tien Chiu

Space aliens?

I was flipping through fashion plate after fashion plate and feeling rather despondent about my design process, when I suddenly remembered a design that I’d absolutely loved!  It’s from the science fiction TV series Babylon 5, and it’s the ambassadorial robes worn by Delenn, the Minbari ambassador to Babylon 5:

Delenn, the Minbari ambassador to Babylon 5
Delenn, the Minbari ambassador to Babylon 5

Let me start by saying that I adore Delenn.  She’s smart (both in IQ and street-smarts), she’s empathetic, she’s got the courage of her convictions, and she totally kicks ass when she feels like it.  And she’s the best-dressed person in the entire show.  What’s not to like?

I’d describe her outfit as a split tabard integrated into a fitted, flowing robe.  This design has some major advantages for what I’m doing:

  • It’s mostly flat fabric, which shows off handwoven patterns very well
  • It’s a layered garment, so I can weave/show off several different fabrics in the same garment
  • It’s simple, which means the focus will be on the fabric and the wearer, not the construction
  • It’s also probably not that hard to draft the pattern for ““ important since I don’t have much experience in pattern drafting
  • And, of course, it’s beautiful!

(I will also admit, cheerfully, that I’ve fantasized about wearing something like Delenn’s outfit for ages.  As good a reason to do it as any, I suppose!)

I do want to make some alterations to the design ““ mostly so nobody says, “Didn’t I see that outfit at the Minbari embassy’s tea party last week?” –  but haven’t figured out what yet.  I seem to have a severe lack of imagination when it comes to fashion design ““ I know what I like and don’t like, but don’t seem to be able to visualize changes in a design.  I’m going to correct that by studying the basics of fashion illustration ““ if I can draw it, I can visualize it!

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Filed Under: All blog posts, textiles, sewing Tagged With: autumn splendor

Previous post: Beginning the design process
Next post: New Traveling Tiger logo

Comments

  1. Laura says

    March 15, 2011 at 4:34 pm

    If you are looking for more inspiration, try checking out the Merchants, Princes and Painters book I blogged about earlier today….
    cheers,
    Laura

  2. Karen says

    March 16, 2011 at 7:17 am

    Oh my, I loved Babylon 5. I was so depressed when it went off the air. Although Season 5 was a little weak, I thought — probably because Claudia (Susan) left the show, she was a great character too.

    Looking forward to seeing the development of this design.

  3. Bonnie Inouye says

    March 16, 2011 at 7:24 am

    The photo looks like she is wearing a purple dress or robe with wide trim and she has a long vest over the robe. The vest has stiffening on the shoulders. I made a long vest (without the stiffening) which was in the Convergence 1994 fashion show, woven in Lampas. The sewing pattern was from Folklore and I think the source was Tibet. My vest is reversible and I still wear it occasionally. I also made the coat on that pattern. They have a wide band of trim like that on this outfit. Bonnie

  4. Syne Mitchell says

    March 16, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    Well you know a SF geek like me is going to be all behind this design inspiration. Happy weaving and designing!

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