Carbon Costume

Sabina Spielrein (played by Keira Knightley in the 2011 film) was a very real person caught between two men who both sought to develop psychoanalysis in the field’s early days. Though much Freud’s work has been debunked, his name has still carried through time while Spielrein’s was less common until her story was more clearly told in A Dangerous Method.

When cosplaying this character, it is important to remember that she was a real person and a driving force in the early development of modern psychological treatment and practices. Even after parting ways with Jung and Freud she continued to train psychoanalysts until her death in 1942 at the hands of the Nazis. Spielrein was a brave and brilliant woman who should still be given the respect she deserves.

As the film is a period piece, Spielrein’s costume is as well. It consists of a blouse and skirt, hat, and period-accurate boots from the early 1900s. White gloves add another element to the costume while a long brown wig styled into a bun completes the character’s appearance.

Nicki Brand played by Debbie Harry in Videodrome is a sadomasochistic radio show host in Toronto. With the main protagonist Max, she watches an episode of Videodrome, an ultra-high frequency broadcast variety show featuring violence and torture. Once Nicki discovers Videodrome is being broadcast Pittsburgh she leaves Max and travels there to audition, never to return. Nicki’s outfit is a monochromatic red with chunky gold accessories. Her eyeshadow is a soft earth tone and she wears mauve colored lip gloss. This iconic outfit will surely be a unique and elegant look for any Horrorcon or Halloween party.