Vampire Ninja Nissa
Blade 2

time completed: End of August 2002
hours spent: 30+
worn at: Dragoncon 2002, various promotions

Why I decided to make this costume:
I had an incredible opportunity to work with a costumer I have admired for years, Brian of Bounty Hardware. We both loved the design of the Vampire Ninjas in the second Blade movie and thought it would be great to recreate the costumes. I personally have never done a masked costume before and was instantly intrigued.

How I made this costume:
One of the hardest parts this project was researching the design. Armed with only low quality screen shots and the DVD, we chose high quality materials to complete this project: Original Samurai 3000 Tanto swords, European Boblebee Scorpia Backpacks which we modified, real diving suits and shoes, and an array of military/hunting use pockets. In the remaining two weeks before Dragoncon, I created the strapping systems, armor pads, masks and neckpieces while Brian molded and casted the light up vampire goggles. (They are perfect, by the way *proud*)

Thoughts on this costume:
I learned much from this project and had a great time wearing the costume as well (albeit having issues seeing out of the goggles). We were very well received at the con and managed to scare (and delight) not only children but a number of drunk attendees as well, lol. Another notion worth mentioning is that we found the perfect Blade costumer to pose with! Talk about fun!