Baron Harkonnen

In my final year of uni I was required to undertake a costume research project based on an area of my specific interest. I chose to use historical costuming elements to create a science fiction costume.
I chose the character of the Baron Vlamir Harkonnen from the novel Dune by Frank Herbert. This was an especially challenging character to recreate, as the character is described as being morbidly obese.
I created an elaborate fat suit using elements of latex, polyethelyne foam, polyethelyne beads and lycra over which I constructed my costume.
I drew on historical excesses to design and create a costume that gives the impression of greed and opulence. I blended elements of Tudor costume and historical Papal raiments to create highly textured, ornate and embellished costume.
I have a particular interest in leathercraft, so I used the historical technique of boiling leather to create hardened shoulder pauldrons which were then dyed and painted using lumiere paints.