Carbon Costume

Piragua Guy or Piragüero is a character in the movie musical, In The Heights. He sells colorful shaved ice (piragua) to children in the barrio. He’s portrayed by none other than Lin Manuel-Miranda, who both wrote the musical and originated the role of Usnavi on Broadway. The song “Piragua” was going to be cut from the movie adaptation until Lin stepped in to play the role. His competition is the Mister Softee truck, where Christopher Jackson, who originated the role of Benny, as well as George Washington in Hamilton, portrays the ice cream man.

Benny (Corey Hawkins) is a character in the movie musical, In The Heights. He works at the dispatch for Kevin Rosario’s taxi service, and falls in love with his daughter, Nina. His friends include Usnavi and Sonny. One day, Benny dreams of opening his own business. He is the only person in the movie who does not speak Spanish. Fun Fact: Christopher Jackson, who made a cameo as the ice cream man, played Benny in the original Broadway musical.

Vanessa Morales (Melissa Barerra) is a character in the movie musical, In The Heights. She works at Daniela’s salon. She is the prettiest girl in the Heights, but she only has eyes for Usnavi. She wants to get out of the barrio and get an apartment downtown. Fun fact: Vanessa is named after Lin’s actual wife, Vanessa!

Ercole Visconti is the main antagonist in the Disney Pixar movie, Luca. He is the well-known bully of Portorosso and consistent champion of the annual triathlon. Even though he’s sixteen, which is too old to compete, he continues to keep his bragging rights. He particularly enjoys picking on Giulia Marcovaldo, whom he calls “Spewlia” because she gets sick during the race. Alberto call him Signor Vespa because he owns a Vespa, but later Luca calls him a catfish (because they’re bottom-feeders with two sad little whiskers). Narcissistic and pompadoured, Ercole believes his presence is adored by all. His two lackeys, Ciccio and Guido, accompany him at all times to do his bidding.

Usnavi de la Vega (Anthony Ramos) is the main character and narrator in the movie musical, In The Heights. His name comes from the first sight his parents saw when they arrived in America: a ship that said “US Navy.” After the passing of his parents, Abuela Claudia, the beloved neighborhood matriarch, practically raised him. He owns a small bodega in Washington Heights, but his dream is to move to the Dominican Republic. It’s no secret Usnavi is in love with Vanessa. You may recognize Ramos from his role in Hamilton, where he starred alongside Lin Manuel-Miranda, who composed and wrote both shows. In addition, Manuel-Miranda originated the role of Usnavi on Broadway.

Christopher Smith (played by John Cena), better known by his moniker Peacemaker, is a violent extremist who believes no amount of carnage is too much if it achieves peace.  In The Suicide Squad movie, Peacemaker works with other members of Task Force X including Polka-Dot Man, Bloodsport, and Ratcatcher 2 to stop the giant extraterrestrial Starro the Conquerer.  Peacemaker’s costume is reminiscent of classic super heroes, with a red, white and blue color palette and a silver mask.  Finding his exact shirt can be difficult, so don’t be afraid to use a plain red t-shirt as a cost effective stand-in.

When you think of a queen, you likely think of poise and grace. You probably think of beauty and wisdom, too. Queen Ramonda of Wakanda embodies all of these traits as well as the strength and foresight to lead her people after both of her children are lost in Thanos’ snap. She is a natural queen played by Angela Bassett, a queen in her own right and star of numerous hit productions.

Mimicking Queen Ramonda’s royal bearing isn’t easy, but you can start with her look. The most iconic piece of her costume is the isicholo or Zulu hat that she wears. There are many tutorials on YouTube or you can purchase one from at Etsy seller, such as the one pictured above. She wears two different versions throughout the film, one in black and one in white. With her white isicholo hat she wears flat profile earrings, thumb rings, and the kimoyo beads that all Wakandans seem to wear.

Queen Ramonda also wears a white A-Line gown and a shoulder mantle. In the movie the mantle is 3-D printed. However the file linked here is for a laser-cut version.

Finally, the Queen’s shoes are not seen. Because of this, three options have been included. One is a pair of white dress sands, the second a pair of white lace heels, and the third a pair of white flats.

Giulia Marcovaldo is a character in the Disney Pixar movie, Luca. She is a human girl who takes pride in being the underdog. Her father is Massimo Marcovaldo. Expressive and tomboyish, Giulia dreams of winning the Portorosso Cup and dethroning the despicable Ercole. When he picks on Luca and Alberto, she comes to their defense and eventually befriends them. The trio then forms a team to compete in the triathalon. Her interests include stargazing and attending school in Genoa, which confides in and shares with Luca. Her exclamations involve Italian cheeses, such as “Santa mozzarella!”