Ken Tanabe | Halloween 2018: Gilded Guardian

Category: Halloween

Halloween 2018: Gilded Guardian

This costume unites garbage and gold. Though the materials are modest (garbage cans), the decorative elements add dignity and beauty through design. I was inspired by gilding on architecture (especially towards the top) and the ceremonial qualities of Japanese samurai armor. Warmest thanks to highly (over)qualified photographer Willie Davis and my favorite stylist Catherine Leung.

MATERIALS:
Bought: Rubbermaid white rectangular 8-gallon open-top garbage cans (5x$6.97), two cans of Liquitex professional spray paint in Iridescent Antique Gold (2x$7.69), one sheet of 6-ply railroad board (poster board) ($0.66), HDX coveralls ($9.60). Already owned: Kimberly-Clark heavy duty coveralls, box cutter, X-Acto knife, circle cutter, scissors, compass, pencil, gaffer’s tape, Scotch magic tape, blue masking tape, craft paper.

Halloween Costumes

Halloween Rules

1. Make it yourself.
This is the best way to be original. A store bought costume is better than no costume, but you can do better than that!

2. Use your whole body.
If you wear your usual clothes and throw on a mask, is that really a costume? Go from head to toe.

3. Keep it cheap.
Anybody can spend a zillion dollars on a costume and look cool. The real challenge is making it happen on a budget.

4. Don’t rely on recognition.
Do not dress as a celebrity or a movie character. Standard characters like vampires are off-limits, too.

5. Don’t rely on sex.
Don’t get me wrong – being sexy is great and all. Just don’t rely on it to make your costume work.

6. Don’t rely on horror.
Sure, blood and guts are a Halloween tradition, but don’t feel limited. Take advantage of the day you can wear anything!

Do you make Halloween costumes that follow these rules? If so, contact me.