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:

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!