Viviane, The Lady of the Lake

My first impression is: stunning. Second: I want one. I've wanted to make a "sorceress" dress for some time and this is very much the style I had in mind, reminiscent of the Waterhouse maidens.

On closer examination, I particularly like the hair and makeup--the high-piled crown, the soft curls and the pale blue of the eyes against the darkness of the hair and lashes.

While I like the style of the dress and the effect of the sheer fabric on the sleeves and center front petticoat, my eye immediately registers 'polyester' and that somewhat ruins the illusion for me. Also, as I look closer I see the princess liness of the bodice and the set-in sleeves, which are completely inappropriate for what I know of medieval dressmaking. Only a costuming snob would know or care, of course. Finally, the white dress seems better suited for a bride or a young girl than the earthy, tough-minded Viviane.

I'm ambivalent about the setting. The marble slab wall suggests a castle, but why is she sitting there?--The pose is pretty and showcases the dress but it lacks purpose--I guess she is lifting the mists concealing Avalon but that was always in a boat. This doesn't appear to be anywhere near water nor the wilds of the Island.

However, since the focus of the image is the cosplayer's beautiful face, the details will be unimportant to most viewers.