Each of the courtesans we chose to become first needed a theme. Much like the Moulin Rouge dancers who had names such as Tatoo, Travesty, and Baby Doll, we decided upon designs that meant something to each of us. However, I am in no way Irish, so why did I decide on this theme? I had just returned from a two-week trip to Ireland and having absolutely LOVED the country, it was only natural that my design revolved around it. ;) Thus, the Irish Courtesan. Along with the theme, each courtesan's outfit also revolved around one key prop; in this case, my prop was a black top hat decorated with a dark green ribbon, a la Satine in her opening "Sparkling Diamonds" number.

Status of Costume: complete

Started: Fall 2002
Finished: Oct. 31, 2002

Materials Used:
Corset - duck cloth, white satin, green satin ribbon, and green bias tape as well as boning, hook-and-eye tape, buttons and ribbon lacing from Joann's; grommets were from Home Depot
Skirt - green satin from Joann's

Patterns Used:
Corset - Simplicity 9769, modified
Skirt - self-draped

Found Items:
Matching Tank Top: American Eagle, $7
Lacy Boy Shorts: Hects, $7
Fishnet Thigh-Highs: Walmart, $5
Black Garter Belt: Hects, $10
Black Garter: Claires, $2.50
Maribu Slippers: made from a maribu boa from Michael's and Payless mules, $10
Black elbow-length gloves: Claires, $15
Jewelry: necklace, earrings and bangles from Claires, $10 in all

What I like / would change: I'm very happy with how all of our tango underwear costumes came out and wouldn't really change anything. Due to time constraints we weren't able to sew hooks and eyes onto the skirts to keep them modestly ;) closed so we ended up resorting to safety pins. Other than that the costumes were a hit!

To see the reference images used to make this costume,
check out my Tango Underwear Research.