eat and you belong to us

by MJ Kaufman

Jaime explores their gender through their adoration and worship of Joan of Arc. They travel into their imagination and end up back in history living the life and death of their beloved Joan.

For this piece I created Jaime’s armor for when they’re in Joan’s shoes. Their piece was an abstract take on a fleur de lys, and very sculpted and artistic more than utilitarian.

Production Team

Director: Catherine Doherty

Costume Designer: Journey Rivenburgh

I built this armor as part of a season of staged readings. We built a small segment of pieces that season.

I built this armor as part of a season of staged readings. We built a small segment of pieces that season.

I started by padding out the dressform to the desired size and silhouette, then wrapping it in plastic wrap and tape.

I started by padding out the dressform to the desired size and silhouette, then wrapping it in plastic wrap and tape.

I cut the plastic pattern out on the desired style lines, then trued it up and taped it back together to check fit. I made a mockup of the neck piece to experiment with the material.

I cut the plastic pattern out on the desired style lines, then trued it up and taped it back together to check fit. I made a mockup of the neck piece to experiment with the material.

I cut the armor from 5mm EVA foam, with accents in a 2mm foam. I assembled the piece with contact cement. The designer and I drafted up the design on the front and back.

I cut the armor from 5mm EVA foam, with accents in a 2mm foam. I assembled the piece with contact cement. The designer and I drafted up the design on the front and back.

I sculpted the design in foam clay before heat sealing and sanding the whole piece.

I sculpted the design in foam clay before heat sealing and sanding the whole piece.

I used four coats of Flexbond, a coat of Angelus leather paint in black as a base color, and then two coats of Angelus leather paints in platinum. I then painted in some accents before sealing it with another coat of Flexbond.

I used four coats of Flexbond, a coat of Angelus leather paint in black as a base color, and then two coats of Angelus leather paints in platinum. I then painted in some accents before sealing it with another coat of Flexbond.

The piece closes at the shoulder, side of neck, and side of body with snaps hidden under false rivets.

The piece closes at the shoulder, side of neck, and side of body with snaps hidden under false rivets.

This is a besauge and it attaches to the shirt underneath with a safety pin.

This is a besauge and it attaches to the shirt underneath with a safety pin.