Gabrielle as Marquessa costume

 A recent addition to my collection is Gabrielle’s costume worn by Renée O’Connor as the Marquessa, the sponsor of Miss Amphipolis contestant in the episode “Here comes… Miss Amphipolis” from season 2.

 

After a desperate call from Salmoneus, Xena and Gabrielle will have to pose as a contestant and her sponsor for the Miss Know World beauty pageant to find out who is trying to sabotage the contest and to stop an arms-dealing warlord in the kingdom.

 

The costume includes the colorful robe with a textured blue velvet fabric with intricate gold embroidery. In the upper part, there are several brocade panels in colorful tones enhanced by gold Lyonnais-style trimmings.

 

The dress is particularly striking for its large collar. It is made of intricate brocade fabric with an internal wired structure to ensure that it stays fixed in the same position and features a scalloped gold lace border in the Renaissance style. The costume has a wardrobe tag affixed to the inner part that reads “Renée”. The robe was also signed by Renée herself at the Xena Con in 2008.

 

The turban is crafted from a pleated emerald green fabric with tiny gold sparkles. The design is distinguished by a large, central circular gold-plated brooch of multicolored rhinestones. The turban has an elastic band on the inside to adjust to the head and elastic straps on the sides to secure the hair with bobby pins.

 

The robe and turban were originally sold separately during the 2001-2002 It’s A Wrap auctions and include the usual certificates of authenticity. The costume includes an identification tag that is written: “Xena, Ep.15 Gabrielle”. The previous owner had purchased this lot in an eBay auction in February 2008.

 

I realized that some of the brocade patterns don’t match exactly with one seen on screen in some sequences, although are clearly the same fabrics used. My guess is that there were made almost two of this costumes: one for stunts and other as a back-up costume tailored specifically for Renée.

 

During this episode Gabrielle wore the Marquessa costume over the season 2 hero trademark costume.

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