It wasn’t every day that Alys, troubadour and patron of the House of Renard, dressed up like this. For once, Alys wasn’t planning one of her grand celebrations that marked the changing of the seasons in the province of Dawn. As they slipped on their finely embroidered shirt, one might have thought Alys was getting ready to attend the Festival of Flowers. It was usually the perfect occasion to catch up on the latest political gossip and advance the house’s affairs. The season was well advanced, however; the trees were turning red outside the window of her family estate, prompting Alys to don their woolen cloak. Then, the artist drew a dagger from their waist and prepared for any eventuality.
Alys wasn’t going to remain on the sidelines as a spectator. Their bounding steps lead them out of the castle, running through the alleys of the Barrens with practiced ease. Soon, Alys would found themselves among the troubadours and patrons — their true circle. With a smile on their lips, the artist reconnected with the music that made their soul vibrate.
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This costume was meticulously crafted by our tailors. This three-piece ensemble includes a bodice, a shirt, a cape, and pants—which, unfortunately, are not shown in the photo shoot. The entire outfit reflects the aesthetic of the character’s home province, the Province of Dawn, in the Empire LARP in England. This province’s aesthetic is inspired by the Arthurian world and the colors of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. The non-binary character Alys de Renard thus has a silhouette that is both masculine and feminine, with styles that reflect the aesthetic of their home province.
To start this ensemble, the artisans designed a shirt made of white linen, perfect for hot summer days. They added volume to the collar and sleeves with pleating fabric to achieve an elegant silhouette. The artisans sewed the bodice from a golden jacquard fabric, topped with a red diamond. Laces at the back allow for a perfect fit, and buttons at the front complete the bodice’s aesthetic. Two detachable sleeves, sewn from the same material, complete the ensemble. They’ve also designed brown organza sleeves to create longer sleeves as needed.
The wool cape completes the ensemble, perfect for England’s sometimes rainy climate. Its length protects Maeve from the elements, and they’ve included a large detachable hood to better shield her character from the rain. The long sleeves maintain the character’s silhouette despite the addition of this cloak. A floral crown, a alchemist belt as well as the Strategist’s Dao and the Kandjar dagger, have been added to the character for a perfect finishing touch.
- Costume & accessories by: Les Artisans d'Azure
- Nemesis Strategist's Dao sword & Kandjar Dagger by Les Artisans d'Azure
- Photographer: Michel Raymond
- Text: Maude Bissonnette
