Books

Nimona

Nimona is the eponymous protagonist of Nimona, a fantasy graphic novel written by ND Stevenson (who you may recall as the creator of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.) Nimona is a young, feisty shapeshifter who allies with villain Ballister Blackheart to destroy the Institute. Despite his strong code of ethics, Nimona will do anything to come out victorious. An animated Netflix adaptation will debut in the summer of 2023.

Duncan Idaho from Dune

Duncan Idaho (played by Jason Momoa) is a swordmaster in the service of House Atreides.  In Dune, Duncan helps train Paul Atreides before his death.  In the 2021 film, Duncan has long wavy hair and a muscular build.  He often wears a stillsuit after moving to Arrakis in the service of Duke Leto.  To make your own stillsuit, you may need to get a little creative, as padded pieces that look the part are often the wrong color.  Don’t be afraid to experiment with a little spray paint to get the look you want.  Duncan also wears more casual clothing when training Paul, and any costume will be enhanced with a short, straight sword to help look the part.

lady jessica from dune

Lady Jessica from Dune

Lady Jessica (played by Rebecca Ferguson) is the mother of Paul Atreides in Dune.  Lady Jessica and her son must flee their home and try to survive by seeking refuge with the Fremen of Arrakis.  Lady Jessica wears a plethora of luxurious clothing suiting her status as the wife of a Duke.  One of her most memorable costumes is a gold ensemble complete with a long train and body chains.  To recreate her appearance, don a gold face chain and layer a rhinestone mesh long-sleeve shirt under a dress, with a gold bib necklace over top.  A sheer gold scar will complete the look.  Some of Lady Jessica’s other costumes include an elegant red gown paired with a simple gold finger chain, and her dark cloak worn when interacting with others in the Bene Gesserit sect of which she is a part.

chani kynes from dune

Chani Kynes from Dune

Chani Kynes (played by Zendaya) is a Fremen from the planet of Arrakis in the sci-fi movie Dune.  Chani’s people have lost their lands to colonizers in search of spice melenge, and she appears in visions had by Paul Atreides long before they meet.  Chani’s primary attire consists of a stillsuit, designed to help a person survive the difficult climate of Arrakis by recycling sweat and tears into drinking water.  You can make your own stillsuit using padded tactical pants and gloves, as well as a motorcycle or paintball jacket.  Your scarf can help strategically cover the parts of the jacket that don’t match the original as well.  In Paul’s visions, Chani often wears a long white robe or dress.  One of the Fremen’s defining features are their bright blue eyes, a side effect of long-term exposure to spice.  If you plan to wear blue contacts as part of your costume, it’s best to have yourself fitted by an eye doctor to make sure you have the right size and they don’t cause any damage.

carmelita spats from a series of unfortunate events

Carmelita Spats from A Series of Unfortunate Events

Carmelita Spats (played by Kitana Turnbull) is a spoiled bully at the Austere Academy in Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events.  Carmelita bullies the Baudelaires, including Klaus, for being orphans.  Carmelita has red hair worn in ringlets with pink bows.  Her wardrobe tends toward pink dresses with white tights and short heels.  To recreate her look, you’ll want to find a pink dress to build your costume around.  Any pink dress can work, though something that is frilly and high-collared will be best, since it will also give you a place to wear her signature brooch, which she eventually gives to Count Olaf.

Daemon Targaryen from House of the Dragon

Daemon Targaryen from House of the Dragon

In House of the Dragon, Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) is brother to King Viserys I. He’s equally skilled as a dragonrider — mounting the dragon Caraxes — and as a warrior — wielding the Valerian steel sword Dark Sister. He’s also gifted in the art of instigation. He later weds his niece, Queen Rhaenyra (Just Targaryen Things). Easily convert this Daemon costume to Aemond’s by adding an eye patch.

Rhaenyra Targaryen from House of the Dragon

Rhaenyra Targaryen from House of the Dragon

In House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra Targaryen (young Rhaenyra played by Milly Alock, older by Emma D’Arcy) is the first-born child of King Viserys I, who named her heir to the Iron Throne. After the king’s death, her claim is challenged by her half-brother Aegon II however, with the backing of his mother Alicent and grandfather Otto Hightower.

Alicent Hightower from House of the Dragon

Alicent Hightower from House of the Dragon

In the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon, Queen Alicent Hightower (played by Olivia Cooke and Emily Carey) is the wife of King Viserys I, daughter of the Hand of the King Ser Otto Hightower, and mother to Aegon, Aemond, and Helaena. She is the figurehead of “Team Green” when it comes to competing claims to the throne. After a long day of parenting and diplomacy, Alicent has been known to kick off her shoes and put up her feet.

Aemond Targaryen from House of the Dragon

Aemond Targaryen from House of the Dragon

In the Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon, Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) is the second son of King Viserys I and his second wife, Queen Alicent Hightower. He’s a dragon rider and a fierce, disciplined swordsman, in sharp contrast to his lazy and gluttonous older brother Aegon. He lost his eye at the age of 10, when he got into a vicious fight with his similarly aged nephew Lucerys Velaryon.

linh song from keeper of the lost cities

Linh Song from Keeper of the Lost Cities

Linh Song is a character from Susan Messenger’s Keeper of the Lost Cities book series.  Linh is an elf with hydrokinetic powers and an ally of Sophie Foster.  She also has a twin brother named Tam.  When recreating Linh’s look, it’s important to remember you may not be able to find exact replicas of her costume.  Instead, focus on similar color palettes and silhouettes.  You can layer a turtleneck under a sleeveless piece, or opt for a darker color or shorter-sleeved tunic instead, depending on your preference and which you think is closest.  Pinning the wig’s bangs to the side will make it look more like Linh’s side-swept hair, or if you have long black hair already, you can dye the tips with temporary silver spray.  If you’re crafty, you might be able to replicate Linh’s crest-shaped brooch with a little DIY.  Otherwise, a pin with two wolves can serve in its place.