Since 2012, I've had the opportunity to be a part of Columbus' premiere Halloween event, Highball Halloween. I have participated in the Costume Couture Contest, co-designing with Lauren Primm. She went to school for Fashion and I went to school for Sculpture so this opportunity seemed like a perfect place for our skills. We placed 5 out of the 6 years we have participated and finally took the grand prize in 2017. Since 2016 I have also contributed to the VIP tent decor with a multiple looks that tie in with the White Castle sponsored themes made entirely out of White Castle packaging. There are some earlier costumes I've made toward the bottom of the page.
The Inked collection is a playful display of crisp lines and forms meant to mimic an idea made of paper that had a run in with an ink pot. The Paper Caper costume is like a living sketchbook complete with blank pages waiting for new work and adventures. The cover depicts a facet of each previous costume Lauren and I have created for Highball (cowl from the Black Plague, rocket ship, boat, circus tent, and dragon paw and clouds).
For HighBall 2019, Lauren and I created a collection that centered around 3 warriors banding together to vanquish a dragon that had been terrorizing their villages. Each resourceful warrior has taken a piece of their most challenging kill to adorn their wardrobe. The dragon, whose soul is housed in an orb, is a warrior in her own right.
This is the winning look Lauren Primm and I created for the 2017 Costume Couture Contest for Highball Halloween in Columbus, Ohio. The concept was that of a Victorian bridal party that sank with the ship.
Costume portion of runway: https://youtu.be/N2dFG2rV3Ew
Complete runway: https://youtu.be/7TOLQsG4oPU
Behind the stage test: https://youtu.be/GlY_ZskuOeY
Details of the accompanying bridesmaids carrying their coral and shell bouquets and with their faces accented with pearls barnacles.
Created in 2017 for The Amazing Giants, the Short North Arch is made of PVC, hand-etched acrylic, and color changing LEDs.
A Black Plague inspired costume. The shoulder pieces were meant to look insect-like so that it would reference the fleas that spread the plague. Her hands were made black to reference how the victims' fingers would turn black and fall off. The necklace is made from fake nails and the bones are made from pounded paper.
Back detail
A sideshow concept that fused together Alice in Wonderland and a Carnival. The target on the Queen's back spun to reveal blades that were thrown at the target. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum performed hand balancing acts and then transformed into the tent that the models walked out of.
Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum
The whole gang!
A retro-future inspired show with a rocket that literally contained the Princess of the galaxy.
Jessijem's Amazing Giants
The first stilt costume I made... and it shows.
At least the wearer said it was comfortable and looked like he was having a great time.
My 2016 costume.