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.

Check here!

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Xena's Creation sword prop replica

A recent addition to my collection is this beauty: Xena’s metal battle worn sword prop replica distributed by Creation Entertainment and forged by the blacksmiths at Pacific Renaissance Pictures LTD in New Zealand.

The blade features a stamp that is written “New Zealand Made”. The paua shell inlayed in the sword are in mint condition and have a beautiful green and blue sea colors. My guess is that the earlier numbers of this replicas has natural curved paua shells inlay just like the ones seen on screen and like this one, and the latest ones have a kind of "laser-cut sheets” of paua shells instead.

After a bit of research, I realized that the Creation Xena’s sword was made from the latest seasons sword mold after the sword changeover before season 4.

The sword is casted in aluminum, the cross guard and pommel aged patina remember me the earlier episodes, as it looks like an aged gold-bronze painting, instead of the last seasons patina that has an orange burnt gold painting on it.

I have seen plenty of Creation Xena’s swords replicas and just the lower numbers have a clearly defined and detailed reliefs around the central paua shell in the cross-guard. After many casts, the higher numbers have the cross-guards reliefs less defined and are almost blurred.

I really love those paua shells! 🐚

Gabrielle Healer costume

 "Why do I feel like it's still there?

Maybe you haven't accepted the loss.

What would you know about loss?

A few things… If you give yourself a chance, you may rediscover your soul.” - Gabrielle and Thalassa, “Looked up and tied down”, season 4.

Gabrielle’s healer costume worn by Renée O’Connor in the episode “Looked up and tied down” from season 4.

After Xena is condemned and sent to Shark Island Prison for killing Thalassa in a cruel manner, many years ago. A confused and grief stricken Gabrielle attempts to break her out arriving at the prison disguised as a healer.

The costume combines green, blue and purple fabrics with some stenciled patterns in the front and sleeves. The trident design evokes the mystical aspect of healers from the ancient times, and the round symbol is associated with longevity and good luck. The costume wardrobe label is written “Gabrielle / Renee O’Connor”. The costume was originally sold during the 2001-2002 It’s A Wrap auctions, and later on, it was auctioned on eBay in 2014, it includes the usual certificate of authenticity.

 

I recently purchased this wig to make the Gabrielle’s photoshoot with costumes more realistic.

Photos for reference: